Office Action 1: Notice of Allowance (2025-03-07)

CLAIMS:
CLAIMS

What is claimed is:

1\. A method of providing a status of at least one consumable in a household appliance comprising a cabinet defining a treating chamber, a dock positioned in the cabinet, a controller programmed with a cycle of operation, and a user interface carried by the cabinet and physically spaced apart from the dock and coupled to the controller for providing data communication between the controller and user, the method comprising:emitting at least one of a colored light pattern, a light motion pattern, or a light intensity pattern from a luminary communication interface to illustrate the status of the at least one consumable, and wherein a door overlies at least a portion of the dock and the luminary communication interface, or the luminary communication interface circumscribes at least a portion of the dock, or the luminary communication interface circumscribes the at least one consumable, or a second port is located in the cabinet and spaced from the dock and spaced from the user interface.
2\. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one consumable includes a treating chemistry, a water softener, or water filter.
3\. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one consumable comprises multiple consumables and a unique combination of at least one of a colored light pattern, a light motion pattern, or a light intensity pattern is emitted for each of the multiple consumables.
4\. The method of claim 3, wherein a first of the multiple consumables is a filter cartridge and a second of the multiple consumables is a softener cartridge.
5\. The method of claim 3, wherein a first color is utilized to provide a status of a first of the multiple consumables and a second color is utilized to provide a status of a second of the multiple consumables.
6\. The method of claim 1, wherein the door is transparent or semi-transparent.
7\. The method of claim 1, wherein the emitting further illustrates a status of a cycle of operation.

8\. The method of claim 1, wherein the second port comprises a second internal dock for receiving a second consumable.
9\. The method of claim 8, wherein the second internal dock comprises a drawer.

10\. The method of claim 1 wherein the emitting is in an annulus.

11\. The method of claim 1, wherein the cabinet further comprises a pedestal for supporting a portion of the cabinet and wherein the dock is positioned in the pedestal.

12\. The method of claim 11, wherein the dock is positioned in a port in the pedestal.

13\. The method of claim 12, wherein the port is annular.

14\. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one consumable comprises multiple consumables wherein the luminary communication interface is physically associated with only one of the multiple consumables while the at least one of a colored light pattern, a light motion pattern, or a light intensity pattern provides directional indicia for at least one of the other multiple consumables.

15\. The method of claim 1 wherein the emitting comprises at least two of the group of: the colored light pattern, the light motion pattern, and the light intensity pattern.

16\. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining motion, via a sensor, and activating the emitting based thereon.

17\. The method of claim 1, further comprising detecting ambient light, via a sensor, and adjusting the emitting based thereon.

OFFICE ACTION:
DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA  or AIA  Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
EXAMINER’S AMENDMENT
The application has been amended as follows:
In the Specification filed on 12/22/2023, page 1, paragraph 0001, line 2, replace the phrase “allowed” to --- now U.S. Patent No. 11,898,288 ---.
Allowable Subject Matter
Claims 1-17 are allowed.
The following is an examiner’s statement of reasons for allowance: the prior art fails to teaching and/or suggesting of a method of providing a status of at least one consumable in a household appliance comprising: emitting at least one of a colored light pattern, a light motion pattern, or a light intensity pattern from a luminary communication interface to illustrate the status of the at least one consumable, and wherein a door overlies at least a portion of the dock and the luminary communication interface, or the luminary communication interface circumscribes at least a portion of the dock, or the luminary communication interface circumscribes the at least one consumable, or a second port is located in the cabinet and spaced from the dock and spaced from the user interface.
Any comments considered necessary by applicant must be submitted no later than the payment of the issue fee and, to avoid processing delays, should preferably accompany the issue fee.  Such submissions should be clearly labeled “Comments on Statement of Reasons for Allowance.”
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure.
KO et al discloses the washing machine comprises: a washing tub, a touch screen for outputting a graphical object corresponding to a washing-related function which can be performed by the washing tub, a detergent supplying unit which is formed to receive a laundry detergent in an inner space thereof and supply the received laundry detergent to the washing tub through a supply fluid path, and a control unit which detects a load and a contamination level of laundry in response to input of a washing start command and determines an input quantity of the laundry detergent received in the detergent supplying unit on the basis of the detected load and contamination level. In addition, the control unit displays a graphical object related to the determined laundry detergent input quantity on the touch screen.	[US 2020/0240066]



CITED REFERENCE SUMMARIES: Ref US20200240066A1: Claims:
A washing machine, comprising: a washing tub configured to receive laundry; a touch screen configured to output one or more graphic objects corresponding to an operation related to washing in the washing tub; a detergent supply that defines an inner space configured to accommodate a laundry detergent and that is configured to supply the laundry detergent to the washing tub; and a control unit that is configured to: detect a load of the laundry in the washing tub and a contamination level of the laundry in response to an input of a washing start command, determine an input quantity of the laundry detergent based on the load of the laundry and the contamination level of the laundry, and control the touch screen to display a graphic object corresponding to the input quantity of the laundry detergent.
a washing tub configured to receive laundry;
a touch screen configured to output one or more graphic objects corresponding to an operation related to washing in the washing tub;
a detergent supply that defines an inner space configured to accommodate a laundry detergent and that is configured to supply the laundry detergent to the washing tub; and
a control unit that is configured to: detect a load of the laundry in the washing tub and a contamination level of the laundry in response to an input of a washing start command, determine an input quantity of the laundry detergent based on the load of the laundry and the contamination level of the laundry, and control the touch screen to display a graphic object corresponding to the input quantity of the laundry detergent.
detect a load of the laundry in the washing tub and a contamination level of the laundry in response to an input of a washing start command,
determine an input quantity of the laundry detergent based on the load of the laundry and the contamination level of the laundry, and
control the touch screen to display a graphic object corresponding to the input quantity of the laundry detergent.
The washing machine of claim 1 , wherein the touch screen is configured to: display a first graphic object at a time point at which the input quantity of the laundry detergent is determined; and display a second graphic object associated with the first graphic object while the laundry detergent is supplied into the washing tub.
display a first graphic object at a time point at which the input quantity of the laundry detergent is determined; and
display a second graphic object associated with the first graphic object while the laundry detergent is supplied into the washing tub.
The washing machine of claim 2 , wherein the second graphic object comprises an image that is configured to change based on an amount of the laundry detergent supplied into the washing tub.
The washing machine of claim 1 , wherein the control unit is configured to: determine an initial input quantity of the laundry detergent based on the load of the laundry, and determine whether to additionally supply the laundry detergent to the washing tub based on the contamination level of the laundry.
determine an initial input quantity of the laundry detergent based on the load of the laundry, and
determine whether to additionally supply the laundry detergent to the washing tub based on the contamination level of the laundry.
The washing machine of claim 1 , wherein the control unit is configured to change a washing stroke based on the input quantity of the laundry detergent, the load of the laundry, and the contamination level of the laundry.
The washing machine of claim 5 , wherein the control unit is configured to output screen information corresponding to the changed washing stroke on the touch screen.
The washing machine of claim 1 , wherein the control unit is configured to change a quantity of the laundry detergent to be supplied to the washing tub in response to a touch input applied to the graphic object corresponding to the input quantity of the laundry detergent.
The washing machine of claim 1 , further comprising a sensor configured to detect a remaining quantity of the laundry detergent in the detergent supply, wherein the control unit is configured to output information related to the remaining quantity of the laundry detergent on the touch screen in response to the input of the washing start command.
wherein the control unit is configured to output information related to the remaining quantity of the laundry detergent on the touch screen in response to the input of the washing start command.
The washing machine of claim 8 , wherein the control unit is configured to: based on the input quantity of the laundry detergent and the remaining quantity of the laundry detergent, determine whether the laundry detergent is insufficient to be supplied into the washing tub, and determine whether to continue a washing stroke based on the determination of whether the laundry detergent is insufficient to be supplied into the washing tub.
based on the input quantity of the laundry detergent and the remaining quantity of the laundry detergent, determine whether the laundry detergent is insufficient to be supplied into the washing tub, and
determine whether to continue a washing stroke based on the determination of whether the laundry detergent is insufficient to be supplied into the washing tub.
The washing machine of claim 8 , wherein the control unit is configured to: based on the remaining quantity of the laundry detergent being greater than or equal to a reference value, supply the input quantity of the laundry detergent to the washing tub to continue a washing stroke of the washing tub; and control the touch screen to output a notification for adding the laundry detergent after completion of the washing stroke.
based on the remaining quantity of the laundry detergent being greater than or equal to a reference value, supply the input quantity of the laundry detergent to the washing tub to continue a washing stroke of the washing tub; and
control the touch screen to output a notification for adding the laundry detergent after completion of the washing stroke.
The washing machine of claim 8 , wherein the control unit is configured to: stop a washing stroke of the washing tub based on the remaining quantity of the laundry detergent being less than a reference value.
stop a washing stroke of the washing tub based on the remaining quantity of the laundry detergent being less than a reference value.
The washing machine of claim 11 , further comprising a proximity sensor that is configured to detect a user's proximity to the washing machine, wherein the control unit is configured to, in response to the proximity sensor detecting the user's proximity after the washing stroke of the washing tub is stopped, output, to the touch screen, screen information for adding the laundry detergent into the detergent supply.
wherein the control unit is configured to, in response to the proximity sensor detecting the user's proximity after the washing stroke of the washing tub is stopped, output, to the touch screen, screen information for adding the laundry detergent into the detergent supply.
The washing machine of claim 12 , further comprising a communication device configured to perform communication with a user terminal, wherein the control unit is configured to, in response to the proximity sensor detecting the user's proximity after the washing stroke of the washing tub is stopped, control the communication device to transmit a control signal to the user terminal to display a screen related to a purchase of the laundry detergent through a user feedback on the user terminal.
wherein the control unit is configured to, in response to the proximity sensor detecting the user's proximity after the washing stroke of the washing tub is stopped, control the communication device to transmit a control signal to the user terminal to display a screen related to a purchase of the laundry detergent through a user feedback on the user terminal.
A method for operating a washing machine having a touch screen, the method comprising: detecting a load of laundry received in a washing tub of the washing machine and a contamination level of the laundry based on an input of a washing start command; determining an input quantity of laundry detergent to be supplied into the washing tub based on the load and the contamination level; and displaying a graphic object corresponding to the input quantity of the laundry detergent on the touch screen.
detecting a load of laundry received in a washing tub of the washing machine and a contamination level of the laundry based on an input of a washing start command;
determining an input quantity of laundry detergent to be supplied into the washing tub based on the load and the contamination level; and
displaying a graphic object corresponding to the input quantity of the laundry detergent on the touch screen.
The method of claim 14 , wherein displaying the graphic object comprises: displaying a first graphic object at a time point at which the input quantity of the laundry detergent is determined; and displaying a second graphic object associated with the first graphic object while the laundry detergent is supplied into the washing tub.
displaying a first graphic object at a time point at which the input quantity of the laundry detergent is determined; and
displaying a second graphic object associated with the first graphic object while the laundry detergent is supplied into the washing tub.
The method of claim 15 , wherein displaying the second graphic object comprises changing an image on the touch screen based on an amount of the laundry detergent supplied into the washing tub.
The method of claim 14 , further comprising: detecting, by a sensor, a remaining quantity of the laundry detergent in a detergent supply; and outputting information related to the remaining quantity of the laundry detergent on the touch screen in response to the input of the washing start command.
detecting, by a sensor, a remaining quantity of the laundry detergent in a detergent supply; and
outputting information related to the remaining quantity of the laundry detergent on the touch screen in response to the input of the washing start command.
The method of claim 17 , further comprising: comparing the remaining quantity of the laundry detergent to a reference value; based on the remaining quantity of the laundry detergent being greater than or equal to the reference value, supplying the input quantity of the laundry detergent to the washing tub to continue a washing stroke; and controlling the touch screen to output a notification to add the laundry detergent after completion of the washing stroke.
comparing the remaining quantity of the laundry detergent to a reference value;
based on the remaining quantity of the laundry detergent being greater than or equal to the reference value, supplying the input quantity of the laundry detergent to the washing tub to continue a washing stroke; and
controlling the touch screen to output a notification to add the laundry detergent after completion of the washing stroke.
The method of claim 18 , further comprising: stopping the washing stroke based on the remaining quantity of the laundry detergent being less than the reference value; detecting, by a proximity sensor, a user's proximity to the washing machine after the washing stroke of the washing tub is stopped; and in response to detecting the user's proximity after the washing stroke of the washing tub is stopped, outputting, to the touch screen, screen information to add the laundry detergent into the detergent supply.
stopping the washing stroke based on the remaining quantity of the laundry detergent being less than the reference value;
detecting, by a proximity sensor, a user's proximity to the washing machine after the washing stroke of the washing tub is stopped; and
in response to detecting the user's proximity after the washing stroke of the washing tub is stopped, outputting, to the touch screen, screen information to add the laundry detergent into the detergent supply.
The washing machine of claim 9 , wherein the control unit is configured to, based on a determination that the laundry detergent is sufficient to be supplied into the washing tub, supply the input quantity of the laundry detergent to the washing tub.
Ref US11898288: Claims:
1. A household appliance for performing a cycle of operation, the household appliance comprising:
a cabinet defining a treating chamber;
a tub located within the cabinet interior and defining a tub interior and having an access opening;
a rotatable drum located within the tub interior for rotation about a rotation axis;
a user interface carried by the cabinet and coupled to a controller to provide data communication between the controller and a user;
a pedestal for supporting the cabinet and comprising a liquid recirculation system for recirculating liquid to the treating chamber;
at least one consumable for use in performing the cycle of operation, the at least one consumable received in a dock, the dock positioned in an annular port in the pedestal; and
a luminary communication interface physically separated from the user interface and configured to emit at least one of colored light motion or light intensity patterns to illustrate a status of the at least one consumable and wherein at least one of the luminary communication interface is ring shaped and circumscribes the annular port or further comprising a door overlying the annular port and the luminary communication interface.
2. The household appliance of claim 1, wherein the luminary communication interface is physically associated with the at least one consumable.
3. The household appliance of claim 1, wherein the controller is programmed with the cycle of operation and controls at least the rotatable drum.
4. The household appliance of claim 1, wherein the at least one consumable comprises multiple consumables and the luminary communication interface emits unique combinations of colored light motion and light intensity patterns for each of the multiple consumables to uniquely illustrate the status of each of the multiple consumables.
5. The household appliance of claim 4, wherein the luminary communication interface is physically associated with only one of the multiple consumables while the unique combinations of colored light motion and light intensity patterns provide directional indicia for at least one of the other multiple consumables.
6. The household appliance of claim 1, wherein the luminary communication interface circumscribes the at least one consumable.
7. The household appliance of claim 1, wherein the at least one consumable is at least one of a filter cartridge, softener cartridge, or fluid treatment cartridge.
8. The household appliance of claim 1, wherein the door is transparent or semi-transparent for allowing a user to view the luminary communication interface.
9. The household appliance of claim 1, further comprising a second port in the cabinet spaced from the annular first port and spaced from the user interface.
10. The household appliance of claim 9, wherein the second port comprises a second internal dock for receiving a second consumable.
11. The household appliance of claim 10, wherein the at least one consumable is a filter cartridge and the second consumable is a softener cartridge.
12. The household appliance of claim 10, wherein the second internal dock comprises a drawer that slides in/out of the second port.
13. The household appliance of claim 12, further comprising a non-opaque cover overlying the second port.
14. The household appliance of claim 1, wherein the luminary communication interface comprises at least 2% of the total surface area of a front panel of the cabinet.
15. A household appliance for performing a cycle of operation, the household appliance comprising:
a cabinet defining a treating chamber;
a tub located within the cabinet interior and defining a tub interior and having an access opening;
a rotatable drum located within the tub interior for rotation about a rotation axis;
a user interface carried by the cabinet and coupled to a controller to provide data communication between the controller and a user;
a pedestal for supporting the cabinet and comprising a liquid recirculation system for recirculating liquid to the treating chamber;
at least one consumable received in a dock positioned in the pedestal for use in performing the cycle of operation; and
a luminary communication interface physically separated from the user interface and configured to emit at least one of colored light motion or light intensity patterns to illustrate a status of the at least one consumable and wherein the luminary communication interface circumscribes the at least one consumable.
16. A household appliance for performing a cycle of operation, the household appliance comprising:
a cabinet defining a treating chamber;
a tub located within the cabinet interior and defining a tub interior and having an access opening;
a rotatable drum located within the tub interior for rotation about a rotation axis;
a user interface carried by the cabinet and coupled to a controller to provide data communication between the controller and a user;
a pedestal for supporting the cabinet and comprising a liquid recirculation system for recirculating liquid to the treating chamber;
at least one consumable received in a dock positioned in a first port in the pedestal for use in performing the cycle of operation;
a luminary communication interface physically separated from the user interface and configured to emit at least one of colored light motion or light intensity patterns to illustrate a status of the at least one consumable; and
a second port in the cabinet spaced from the first port and spaced from the user interface.
17. The household appliance of claim 16, further comprising a door overlying the luminary communication interface.
18. The household appliance of claim 16, wherein the luminary communication interface circumscribes the at least one consumable.
Ref US20200240066: Claims:
1. A washing machine, comprising:
a washing tub configured to receive laundry; a touch screen configured to output one or more graphic objects corresponding to an operation related to washing in the washing tub; a detergent supply that defines an inner space configured to accommodate a laundry detergent and that is configured to supply the laundry detergent to the washing tub; and a control unit that is configured to:
detect a load of the laundry in the washing tub and a contamination level of the laundry in response to an input of a washing start command,
determine an input quantity of the laundry detergent based on the load of the laundry and the contamination level of the laundry, and
control the touch screen to display a graphic object corresponding to the input quantity of the laundry detergent.
2. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the touch screen is configured to:
display a first graphic object at a time point at which the input quantity of the laundry detergent is determined; and display a second graphic object associated with the first graphic object while the laundry detergent is supplied into the washing tub.
3. The washing machine of claim 2, wherein the second graphic object comprises an image that is configured to change based on an amount of the laundry detergent supplied into the washing tub.
4. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to:
determine an initial input quantity of the laundry detergent based on the load of the laundry, and determine whether to additionally supply the laundry detergent to the washing tub based on the contamination level of the laundry.
5. The washing machine of claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to change a washing stroke based on the input quantity of the laundry detergent, the load of the laundry, and the contamination level
[Truncated to input limit]