Communication networks for payment, operation, and control of appliances, and methods of using the same

A communication network for appliances is provided. The communication network includes: (a) a plurality of local communication devices, each of the plurality of local communication devices transmitting data related to at least one of (i) a user of an appliance, and (ii) an appliance; and (b) a communication hub receiving data transmissions from each of the plurality of local communication devices, wherein communications between the plurality of local communication devices and the communication hub are encrypted.

FIELD

The invention relates to the field of appliances such as laundry appliances, and more particularly, to improved communication networks for payment, operation and control of such appliances.

SUMMARY

According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a communication network for appliances is provided. The communication network includes: (a) a plurality of local communication devices, each of the plurality of local communication devices transmitting data related to at least one of (i) a user of an appliance, and (ii) an appliance; and (b) a communication hub receiving data transmissions from each of the plurality of local communication devices, wherein communications between the plurality of local communication devices and the communication hub are encrypted.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, a method of operating a communication network for appliances is provided. The method includes the steps of: (a) providing a plurality of local communication devices, each of the plurality of local communication devices being attached to a corresponding one of a plurality of appliances; and (b) transmitting data from each of the plurality of local communication devices to a communication hub, the data being transmitted from each of the plurality of local communication devices being related to at least one of (i) a user of at least one of the plurality of appliances, and (ii) at least one of the plurality of appliances, wherein step (b) includes encrypting communications between the plurality of local communication devices and the communication hub prior to transmission.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a communication network for appliances is provided. The communication network includes: (a) a plurality of local communication devices, each of the plurality of local communication devices transmitting data related to at least one of (i) a user of an appliance, and (ii) an appliance; (b) a communication hub receiving data transmissions from each of the plurality of local communication devices; and (c) a computer configured to communicate with the communication hub, and configured to retrieve data related to at least one of (i) the user of the appliance, and (ii) the appliance, wherein communications between the computer and each of the (i) the plurality of local communication devices, and (ii) the communication hub, are encrypted.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, a method of operating a communication network for appliances is provided. The method includes the steps of: (a) providing a plurality of local communication devices, each of the plurality of local communication devices being attached to a corresponding one of a plurality of appliances; and (b) transmitting data from each of the plurality of local communication devices to a communication hub, the data being transmitted from each of the plurality of local communication devices being related to at least one of (i) a user of at least one of the plurality of appliances, and (ii) at least one of the plurality of appliances; (c) transmitting data between the communication hub and a computer, the data being transmitted between the communication hub and the computer being related to at least one of (i) a user of at least one of the plurality of appliances, and (ii) at least one of the plurality of appliances, wherein step (c) includes encrypting communications between the communication hub and the computer prior to transmission.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1Aillustrates a communication network100for appliances102(e.g., washers, dryers, etc.). InFIG. 1A, the appliances102are labelled as “Appliance1”, “Appliance2”, . . . , and “Appliance n”. For example, the appliances102(as well as the local communication devices102, the communication hub106, and the kiosk112) may be provided in a laundromat environment (e.g., a laundry area). Other example laundry areas for operation of communication network100include an apartment complex (e.g., in a common laundry are), a dormitory at a university, amongst others.

Each of the appliances102includes a corresponding local communication device102a1,102a2, . . . ,102an(where an example local communication device is described below as a machine interface board, also referred to as a MIB module or a MIB). Each local communication device102a1,102a2, . . . ,102anis configured to transmit data related to at least one of (i) a user of an appliance102, and (ii) an appliance102to a communication hub106. Example data related to the user of the appliance includes at least one of (i) information identifying the user, (ii) an account identifier of the user, (iii) instructions from the user for operation of the appliance, and (iv) an account balance of the user. Example data related to the appliance includes at least one of (i) information identifying the appliance, (ii) an operational status of the appliance, (iii) instructions from the user for operation of the appliance, and (iv) an alarm condition of the appliance.

The communication hub106receives data transmissions from each of the plurality of local communication devices102a1,102a2, . . . ,102an, and sends data transmissions to each of the plurality of local communication devices102a1,102a2, . . . ,102an. Communications between the plurality of local communication devices102a1,102a2, . . . ,102anand the communication hub106are radio frequency transmissions104. Radio frequency transmissions104are at a frequency below 1 GHz (e.g., nominally 900 MHz, 915 MHz, approximately 900 MHz, approximately 800 MHz, approximately 400 MHz, etc.). As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the frequency may be dependent on the geographic location, among other factors. By providing radio frequency transmissions at such frequencies, reliable, short communications are enabled at a relatively close range (e.g., within the footprint of a laundromat).

Data transmissions108are transmitted back and forth between communication hub106and computer server110. Such data transmissions108may be configured in a number of ways. For example, inFIG. 1A, a direct connection (e.g., a LAN connection, a WAN connection, etc.) is established between communication hub106and computer server110. That is, computer server110may be local to the appliances (e.g., in the laundromat, in the apartment complex, in the dormitory area, etc.).

InFIG. 1B, appliances102(including local communication devices102a1,102a2, . . . ,102an) in communication network120, and the radio frequency transmissions104, are the same (or substantially the same) as described above with respect toFIG. 1A. The bidirectional radio frequency transmissions104are provided from (and to) a communication hub126. Communication hub126sends internet based transmissions128to cloud based computer server130. Of course, communication hub126may also be configured to receive such transmissions128from cloud based computer server130. The internet connection accessible by communication hub126may be an ethernet connection, a wifi connection, a cellular modem connection, etc.

In accordance with certain aspects of the invention, it is desirable to have multiple different internet connections accessible by a communication hub126.FIG. 1Cis an example of such a configuration. InFIG. 1C, appliances102(including local communication devices102a1,102a2, . . . ,102an) in communication network140, and the radio frequency transmissions104, are the same (or substantially the same) as described above with respect toFIG. 1A. The bidirectional radio frequency transmissions104are provided from (and to) a communication hub146. Communication hub146sends internet based transmissions148a,148b, and148cto cloud based computer server150using one (or more) of cellular modem internet connection146a, wifi internet connection146b, and ethernet internet connection146c. Of course, communication hub126may also be configured to receive such transmissions148a,148b,148cfrom cloud based computer server150. Further, different types of internet connections are contemplated. The various internet connections between communication hub146may be managed in any of a number of ways, for example, to provide redundant connections, back-up connections, load sharing, etc.

It will be appreciated that more than one communication hub (or more than one computer server) may be utilized in connection with an inventive communication network. For example, in an environment with many appliances, a first portion of the appliances may communicate with a first communication hub at a frequency below 1 GHz, a second portion of the appliances may communicate with a second communication hub at a frequency below 1 GHz, etc.FIG. 2illustrates an example of such a communication network200. InFIG. 2, a first group of appliances202(including local communication devices202a1,202a2, . . . ,202an) exchange data transmissions with communication hub206, while a second group of appliances212(including local communication devices212a1,212a2, . . . ,212an) exchange data transmissions with communication hub216. Each communication hub206,216exchanges transmissions with computer server210. The connectivity (and related communications) between communication hubs206,216and computer server210may be similar to the corresponding connectivity described in connections with any ofFIGS. 1A-1C.

As shown in each ofFIGS. 1A-1C, a kiosk112or the like may be provided for a user to operate at least one of the appliances. The exemplary kiosk112shown inFIGS. 1A-1Cincludes a smart tablet112ain wireless communication with communication hub106(e.g., where the kiosk112acts as a user interface). The kiosk112also includes a card payment system112bfor providing payment for services ordered by the user via the kiosk112. As made clear in each ofFIGS. 1A-1C, communications may be provided directly between kiosk112(including any part of kiosk112including smart tablet112aand card payment system112b) and each of computer servers110/130/150(as opposed to communications from kiosk112to communications hub106/126/146, and then to respective computer server110/130/150).

The function of such a kiosk (e.g., a user interface to operate, and pay for operation of, one or more of the appliances) may also be provided (instead of, or in addition to, the kiosk) via a user device including an appropriate software application for interacting with the communication hub106/126/146(or directly with the respective server110/130/150) regarding operation of the appliances. Examples of such a user device include a smart phone, a tablet, a laptop computer, etc.FIGS. 1A-1Cillustrate such a user device114.

In accordance with exemplary aspects of the invention, encryption of communications within the various communication networks (e.g., networks100,120,140, and200illustrated inFIGS. 1A-1CandFIG. 2) is provided. For example, in a point-to-point configuration, transmissions between the plurality of local communication devices and the corresponding communication hub are encrypted. Such transmissions (e.g., from the local communication devices to the communication hub) may be encrypted, for example, using an encryption key included at each of the respective local communication devices. Further, such transmissions (e.g., from the communication hub to the local communication devices) may be encrypted using an encryption key included at the communication hub.

Further, communications between the computer server and each of the (i) the plurality of local communication devices, and (ii) the communication hub, may be encrypted. For example, each account (e.g., each laundromat account) may have a unique key between the account holder and the computer server.

FIGS. 3-5provide specific examples of aspects of the invention, providing further details as compared toFIGS. 1A-1CandFIG. 2.

Exemplary communication networks according to the invention may include two custom hardware modules, that is: (1) a machine interface board302a(i.e., a MIB module302a, sometimes referred to as a MIB); and (2) a machine HUB board306(i.e., HUB module306, sometimes referred to as a HUB). The MIB module302acorresponds to an example of a local communication device as described above (with respect toFIGS. 1A-1CandFIG. 2), and the HUB module306corresponds to an example of a communication hub as described above (with respect toFIGS. 1A-1CandFIG. 2).FIG. 3illustrates an example system architecture of a communication network300including such custom hardware modules.

InFIG. 3, each washer/dryer302(which may be, for example, a washing machine, a clothes drying machine, a combination washer/dryer, or another appliance) includes a MIB module302a, which interacts with an OEM control module302dof the washer/dryer302via, for example, a coin counter/emulator302busing a wire harness or an optional RS485 serial link302c. Each washer/dryer also includes a coin drop system302e. A purpose of MIB module302ais to enable bidirectional secure wireless communication between each washer/dryer302and the HUB module306. The coin counter/emulator302bincludes: (1) an integrated coin counter for counting inserted coins; and (2) an integrated coin emulator which electronically simulates the coin insertion upon user payment. The coin emulator may be software version dependent, because not all washers/dryers (or other appliances) support an RS485 interface. The link between the coin emulator portion of MIB module302aand the coin drop portion on the OEM control module302dmay be, for example, a custom-built wire harness.

The exemplary HUB module306shown inFIG. 3connects to a smart tablet312a(at kiosk312in an area, such as a laundromat, an apartment common area, a dormitory common area, etc., where kiosk312also includes card payment system312b) via a USB link, where the end user can securely interact with a cloud server330(where cloud server330corresponds to the computer servers110/130/150/210ofFIGS. 1A-1CandFIG. 2). The exemplary HUB module306inFIG. 3includes two ethernet links through hub board306b, namely: (1) one port connected to a wireless client350which communicates with a WAN Router352(e.g., by WiFi communication), and (2) the other ethernet port connected directly to WAN router352. WAN Router352forwards the data to the cloud server330(e.g., a remote, cloud based, computer server). The example HUB module306shown in also includes an integrated cellular modem306athat may be used for remote configuration of the Wifi Client350and on-site remote debug functions.

As referenced above, exemplary embodiments of the invention include two separate levels of encryption: (1) End-To-End Encryption (E2EE); and (2) Local Point-To-Point Encryption (LP2PE). These two levels of encryption ensure that only the end nodes and the server (e.g., the cloud server) can encrypt and read the messages. E2EE encryption may be considered a secure method where the data is encrypted on the sender's system or device and only the recipient is able to decrypt it. It is desirable that no one in between can read it or tamper with the data. LP2PE encyption may be considered a local secure method where the data is encrypted/decrypted between an end point and an intermediate device (e.g., the MIB module and HUB Module).

The End-To-End Encryption (E2EE) may be used to serve the bi-directional cloud server to/from kiosk paths as well as the bi-directional cloud server to/from the MIB modules (see, e.g.,FIG. 4, where the elements are the same, or substantially the same, as the elements having like reference numbers fromFIG. 3).

The Local Point-To-Point Encryption (LP2PE) includes a wireless link (e.g., operating at a frequency below 1 GHz such as 915 MHz) between HUB module306and MIB modules302aas well as the path from HUB module306to smart tablet312a(see, e.g.,FIG. 5, where the elements are the same, or substantially the same, as the elements having like reference numbers fromFIG. 3). It is important to note that none of the LP2PE paths involves the cloud server interaction. A purpose of the LP2PE paths is to transmit various local status messages. For example, the encryption method used for the LP2PE may be the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES256).

An exemplary operation of the exemplary communication network ofFIGS. 3-5is now provided. When customer makes a payment at kiosk312(e.g., via smart tablet312a, seeFIG. 6, where the elements are the same, or substantially the same, as the elements having like reference numbers fromFIG. 3), an application generated message (e.g., a payment request) is encrypted with an End-To-End Encryption (E2EE) protocol and sent via a USB link to a nearby HUB module306. HUB module306forwards (e.g., via Ethernet), the message to a Wi-Fi Client350. Client350relays the encrypted message over a Wi-Fi Link to WAN Router352, where the message is sent to remote Cloud Server330for decryption and further processing. Optionally the WAN Router352can be connected to HUB module306via a dedicated Ethernet link (seeFIG. 7, where the elements are the same, or substantially the same, as the elements having like reference numbers fromFIG. 3). In this configuration, the Wi-Fi Client350is bypassed and may not be used.

Once the cloud server330decrypts and processes the received application message (e.g., a message sent from smart tablet312aat kiosk312), any desired server response is encrypted as a server message (e.g., a message sent from cloud server330), and is sent to HUB module306(seeFIG. 8, where the elements are the same, or substantially the same, as the elements having like reference numbers fromFIG. 3). A server message can be sent wirelessly (e.g., at a frequency below 1 GHz, such as at 915 MHz) from HUB module306to the corresponding MIB module302aat a washer/dryer302using the local LP2PE protocol. The MIB module302ainside the washer/dryer302decrypts the message from HUB module306and sends a command to a respective OEM control module302dshown inFIG. 8. OEM control module302dinterprets the command and directly controls operation of washer/dryer302.

In addition, HUB module306may perform a periodic status polling of the operation of the washers/dryers302using the local LP2PE protocol and transmits the status messages to cloud server330through client350and/or WAN router352. HUB module306has an integrated cellular modem306athat may be used for remote configuration of the Wi-Fi Client350and on-site remote debug functions.

An exemplary traffic/message routing of the exemplary communication network300ofFIGS. 3-5is now provided. The example system traffic routing includes three independent message loops (seeFIG. 9, where the elements are the same, or substantially the same, as the elements having like reference numbers fromFIG. 3). The first message loop is between OEM control boards302dand MIB modules302a. In this loop, each MIB module302aindependently polls status messages from respective OEM control board302d(e.g., via RS-485 link) and stores them into a local message buffer. The second message loop is between HUB module306and MIB modules302a(e.g., MIB1, MIB2, MIB99, in this example up to a maximum of 99 MIBs). In this loop, HUB module306periodically (e.g., at a predetermined interval such as every 2 seconds) issues a read request over the air (e.g., at 915 MHz) to all of the available MIB modules302aand stores all the received status messages into its local buffer. The third message loop is between cloud server330and HUB module306. In this loop, HUB module306periodically (e.g., at a predetermined interval such as every 2 seconds) sends its last stored mib_buffer messages via an Ethernet link to cloud server330.

Once cloud server330receives a status update from HUB module306, it can also send a specific command message request to any of the appliances/machines302. In this case, HUB module306, after it has finished its regular polling loop, may push the server request message to all of the MIB modules302a. Only the appropriate MIB module(s)302a, after their finished regular polling loop, will push the server message request to its machine. The MIB module302awill, on its next regular status-polling scan, in addition to message_buffer also store the specific machine response to a server_buffer as well (seeFIG. 9). Now, upon a next regular HUB polling request, the MIB module302awill return the stored server_buffer as well as the regular message_buffer back to HUB module306.

HUB module306can scan and assign a timeslot number to any newly discovered MIB modules302a(e.g., up to 99 MIB modules302aper HUB module306). In this case, HUB module306sends a special command, which forces any newly installed MIB modules302ato respond with their own unique ID number. HUB module306then assigns to each new MIB module302aits own unique slot number and an address, causing them to sync up with the rest of the MIB modules302ain the communication network300.

Communication network300ofFIGS. 3-5may also support multi-HUB message routing (such as the configuration ofFIG. 2including multiple communication hubs206,216). This configuration is useful when a physical location requires more than a predetermined number of appliances/machines (e.g., 99 machines) to be in operation. If each HUB module306can service a set of 99 machines302, then the next set of 99 machines302will be assigned to another HUB module306, which operates at slightly different frequency than the first HUB module306.FIG. 10illustrates an example of a two-HUB network where a total of 198 machines are engaged with cloud server330. Both HUB modules306operate at a frequency below 1 GHz (e.g., one HUB is operating at 915 MHz and the other one is operating at 915 MHz+/−some frequency offset range).

As used herein, the term “user” of an appliance shall be broadly construed to include users who interact with the appliance during installed operation (such as a laundry customer), or another user of the appliance who is not a customer, such as a worker at the appliance manufacturing or service site, or even an automated data collection user, amongst others.

Although the invention has been described primarily with respect to a user utilizing a kiosk (e.g., including a smart tablet) as a user interface to interact with the appliances (through the inventive communication networks) it is not limited thereto. For example, a software application may be installed on a user device (e.g., a smart phone, a tablet, etc.) such that the user can operate the appliances through their own device, without using a kiosk at the facility (e.g., the laundromat, the common area of the apartment complex, the common area of the dormitory, etc.).

AlthoughFIGS. 3-10illustrate a cloud based server (i.e., cloud server330), it is understood that other types of computer servers (e.g., non-cloud based computer servers, such as computer server110described above in connection withFIG. 1A) are contemplated. Further, althoughFIGS. 3-10illustrate user interactions through a kiosk312, it is understood that a different user device (e.g., a cell phone, a user tablet, etc., such as user device114shown inFIGS. 1A-1C) may be employed for such interactions. Further still, althoughFIGS. 3-8illustrate a USB connection between kiosk312and hub module306, this connection is exemplary in nature, and other connections are contemplated—and kiosk312may also be in direct communication with the server (e.g., server310) such as is shownFIGS. 1A-1C(where kiosk112includes a direct, dotted line connection, to computer server110/130/150).

Further still, althoughFIGS. 3-10illustrate various exemplary communication technologies (e.g., RS485, 915 MHz, ethernet, GSM, Wi-Fi, USB, etc.), these technologies are exemplary in nature, and alternative technologies are contemplated for each of the illustrated functions. Further still, while various of the communications are shown as 915 MHz radio frequency transmissions, it is understood that this is an exemplary frequency, and that different frequencies (e.g., any frequency below 1 GHz) are contemplated.

Although the computers illustrated in the drawings are referred to as “server” computers (e.g., computer server110, cloud based computer server130, cloud based computer server150, cloud server330), it is understood that any type of computer may be considered to be within the definition of a “server”, as desired given the requirements of the specific application.