Abstract: A security tag can prohibit unauthorized usage of a device or product. The device may include an electronic nicotine delivery systems (“ENDS”) device, which may include aerosol delivery devices such as smoking articles that produce aerosol. The security tag can prevent usage until authorized. Attempts at usage without authorization can result in the device being unusable. The authorization may include identity confirmation or age verification.

Abstract: An aerosol delivery device may include a rechargeable power source configured to provide power to generate an aerosol, device electronics configured to generate the aerosol responsive to application of the power from the power source, and an authentication module. The authentication module may include a separate chip or circuit board relative to the device electronics. The authentication module may be inserted into the aerosol delivery device between the power source and the device electronics to control provision of the power to the device electronics for generation of the aerosol or between the power source and a charge port of the aerosol delivery device to control charging of the power source.

Abstract: An aerosol delivery device may include a rechargeable power source configured to provide power to generate an aerosol, device electronics configured to generate the aerosol responsive to application of the power from the power source, and a lock assembly configured to perform either one or both of preventing recharging the power source and preventing the application of the power from the power source to the device electronics in a locked state, and to enable recharging the power source and the application of power from the power source to the device electronics in an unlocked state. The lock assembly may be configured to detect a wake event while the lock assembly is in the locked state, wake the lock assembly in response to the wake event, perform an authentication process, and, in response to completing the authentication process, transition the lock assembly between the locked state and the unlocked state.

Abstract: A method of operating an appliance including determining user satisfaction with an operation cycle, adjusting at least one operational parameter of the cycle based on the user satisfaction, and incorporating the adjusted operational parameter into a subsequent cycle is disclosed along with the apparatus including a processor configured to perform the method.

Abstract: A method of operating a dishwasher includes receiving a user-input signal indicative of a hidden operating mode, selecting the hidden operating mode of a dishwasher based on the user-input signal, accessing a plurality of pre-programmed dishwashing cycles associated with the selected hidden operating mode, and operating the dishwasher in accordance with one of the plurality of pre-programmed dishwashing cycles.

Abstract: A method of determining an optimal schedule for performing a cycle of operation in the appliance wherein the schedule is a function of the tradeoff factor wherein the tradeoff factor is used to determine a rate threshold above which a delay request is included in the optimal schedule, and the rate threshold is a summation of I) an average of a series of projected rates for the use of the resource by the appliance for a future series of time periods and II) a product of the tradeoff factor and a standard deviation of the series of projected rates.

Abstract: A method of operating an appliance including determining user satisfaction with an operation cycle, adjusting at least one operational parameter of the cycle based on the user satisfaction, and incorporating the adjusted operational parameter into a subsequent cycle.

Abstract: A method of operating a dishwashing machine including determining user satisfaction with a dishwashing cycle, adjusting at least one operational parameter of the dishwashing cycle based on the user satisfaction, and incorporating the adjusted operational parameter into a subsequent dishwashing cycle.

Abstract: A method of operating a dishwashing machine including determining user satisfaction with a dishwashing cycle, adjusting at least one operational parameter of the dishwashing cycle based on the user satisfaction, and incorporating the adjusted operational parameter into a subsequent dishwashing cycle.

Abstract: A method of operating a dishwasher includes receiving a user-input signal indicative of a hidden operating mode, selecting the hidden operating mode of a dishwasher based on the user-input signal, accessing a plurality of pre-programmed dishwashing cycles associated with the selected hidden operating mode, and operating the dishwasher in accordance with one of the plurality of pre-programmed dishwashing cycles.

Abstract: A method of operating a dishwashing machine including determining user satisfaction with a dishwashing cycle, adjusting at least one operational parameter of the dishwashing cycle based on the user satisfaction, and incorporating the adjusted operational parameter into a subsequent dishwashing cycle.

Abstract: A method of defining a message to be sent to at least one appliance regarding a schedule for performing a cycle of operation includes a step of acquiring pricing data from a source of information about a resource consumed by the appliance. A projected rate for the use of the resource by the appliance for a future series of time periods is calculated based upon a user preference. A projected schedule for performing the cycle of operation for a future series of time periods is created and then incorporated into the message that is transmitted to the appliance.

Abstract: A method of determining an optimal schedule for performing a cycle of operation in the appliance wherein the schedule is a function of the tradeoff factor wherein the tradeoff factor is used to determine a rate threshold above which a delay request is included in the optimal schedule, and the rate threshold is a summation of I) an average of a series of projected rates for the use of the resource by the appliance for a future series of time periods and II) a product of the tradeoff factor and a standard deviation of the series of projected rates.

Abstract: A method of defining a message to be sent to at least one appliance regarding a schedule for performing a cycle of operation includes a step of acquiring pricing data from a source of information about a resource consumed by the appliance. A projected rate for the use of the resource by the appliance for a future series of time periods is calculated based upon a user preference. A projected schedule for performing the cycle of operation for a future series of time periods is created and then incorporated into the message that is transmitted to the appliance.

Abstract: A method for controlling the operation of an automatic dishwasher including receiving input for a zonal wash cycle from a user interface to a controller indicating a selection of a first cleaning cycle corresponding to a first wash zone and a second cleaning cycle, different from the first cleaning cycle, corresponding to a second wash zone, and implementing a zonal wash cycle by implementing each of the first and second cleaning cycles during a single cycle of operation of the dishwasher to define the zonal wash cycle.

Abstract: A method for controlling the operation of an automatic dishwasher including receiving input for a zonal wash cycle from a user interface to a controller indicating a selection of a first cleaning cycle corresponding to a first wash zone and a second cleaning cycle, different from the first cleaning cycle, corresponding to a second wash zone, and implementing a zonal wash cycle by implementing each of the first and second cleaning cycles during a single cycle of operation of the dishwasher to define the zonal wash cycle.

Abstract: A method of operating a dishwasher includes receiving a user-input signal indicative of a hidden operating mode, selecting the hidden operating mode of a dishwasher based on the user-input signal, accessing a plurality of pre-programmed dishwashing cycles associated with the selected hidden operating mode, and operating the dishwasher in accordance with one of the plurality of pre-programmed dishwashing cycles.

Abstract: A method of operating a dishwashing machine including determining user satisfaction with a dishwashing cycle, adjusting at least one operational parameter of the dishwashing cycle based on the user satisfaction, and incorporating the adjusted operational parameter into a subsequent dishwashing cycle.