Appliance control and monitoring systems and methods for making and using same

A method for remotely monitoring and operating a dishwashing machine includes providing a remote appliance monitoring and control unit. The unit has a portable housing having an indicator, a wireless network interface, a processor, and a memory having machine readable instructions configured to be executed by the processor. The instructions are executed to determine an attribute of the dishwashing machine and to control the indicator based on the determination of the attribute. The method includes communicatively coupling the unit to the dishwashing machine, and using the unit to determine the attribute of the dishwashing machine. The method comprises causing the unit to wirelessly communicate the determined attribute to a remote user computer together with a geographic location of the dishwashing machine. The method includes taking a responsive action in response to the determined attribute.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosure relates generally to the field of control systems for appliances. More specifically, the disclosure relates to systems and methods for remotely monitoring and operating commercial appliances, including dishwashers and ice machines.

SUMMARY

The disclosure relates generally to the field of control systems for appliances. More specifically, the disclosure relates to systems and methods for remotely monitoring and operating commercial appliances, including dishwashers and ice machines.

In an embodiment, a method for remotely monitoring and operating a dishwashing machine includes providing a remote appliance monitoring and control unit. The unit has a portable housing having an indicator, a wireless network interface, a processor, and a memory having machine readable instructions configured to be executed by the processor. The instructions are executed to determine an attribute of the dishwashing machine and to control the indicator based on the determination of the attribute. The method includes communicatively coupling the unit to the dishwashing machine, and using the unit to determine the attribute of the dishwashing machine. The method comprises causing the unit to wirelessly communicate the determined attribute to a remote user computer together with a geographic location of the dishwashing machine. The method includes taking a responsive action in response to the determined attribute.

In another embodiment, a method for remotely monitoring and operating a commercial appliance comprises providing a remote appliance monitoring and control unit. The unit has a portable housing having a visible indicator, a wireless network interface, a processor, and a memory having machine readable instructions configured to be executed by the processor. The instructions are executed to determine an attribute of the commercial appliance, and to control the visible indicator based on the determination of the attribute. The method includes communicatively coupling the unit to the commercial appliance, and using the unit to determine the attribute of the commercial appliance. The method comprises causing the unit to wirelessly communicate the determined attribute to a lessor computer together with a geographic location of the commercial appliance. The method includes using the determined attribute to automatically take a responsive action.

In yet another embodiment, a method for remotely monitoring and operating a dishwashing machine comprises providing a remote appliance monitoring and control unit. The unit has a portable housing having an indicator, a wireless network interface, a processor, and a memory having machine readable instructions configured to be executed by the processor to determine an attribute of the dishwashing machine. The instructions also cause the processor to control the indicator based on the determination of the attribute. The method includes hardwiring the unit to the dishwashing machine, and using the unit to determine the attribute of the dishwashing machine. The method comprises causing the unit to wirelessly communicate the determined attribute to a remote user computer. The method includes using the remote computer to control an operation of the dishwashing machine via the unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure include systems and methods for remotely monitoring and operating commercial appliances, such as dishwashers, ice machines, et cetera.

Dishwashing systems provide a convenient and efficient alternative to washing dirty dishes by hand and are particularly ubiquitous in commercial settings (e.g., restaurants, bars, hotels, et cetera), where a large number of dirty dishes must be cleaned and sanitized on a regular basis. Generally speaking, commercial dishwashers clean and sanitize dirty dishes as follows. The dirty dishes are first placed, manually or via a conveyer belt, on a rack within the commercial dishwasher. The dishes are then “prewashed”, i.e., flushed with cold or warm water under moderate pressure to remove food particles. Next, the dishes are cleaned or washed with a cleaning compound (e.g., by soaking the dishes in the cleaning compound, by spraying the dishes with the cleaning compound, by foaming or jelling, et cetera). After the cleaning process, the dishes are rinsed with clean potable water to remove substantially all traces of the cleaning compound. Finally, the dishes are sanitized to destroy any organisms which may be present on the dishes after the cleaning and rinsing cycles. The dishes are then removed from the rack and are reused as desired.

Commercial dishwashing systems generally utilize either high temperatures or sanitation agents to sanitize the dishes. Using high temperatures (i.e., hot water or steam) to sanitize the dishes has its advantages, as water is generally inexpensive, nontoxic and readily available. However, some organisms may remain alive on the dishes even after being subjected to hours of boiling temperatures. Furthermore, sanitation by high temperatures may be somewhat inefficient, as dishes generally have to be immersed in hot water or treated with steam for at least fifteen minutes to effectuate proper sanitation.

Low temperature dishwashing systems (i.e., dishwashers that use sanitation agents for sanitation), hence, are becoming increasingly popular. These dishwashing systems may employ a chlorine solution as the sanitation agent, as chlorine is effective against a wide variety of microorganisms, is not affected by water hardness, is non-staining, non-film forming, and generally inexpensive. Alternatively, iodophors (i.e., loosely bound complexes of iodine and non-ionic surface active agents) and quaternary ammonium compounds may be used as sanitation agents in low temperature dishwashing systems.

Some commercial entities purchase dishwashing systems for use outright. But, commercial dishwashing systems are expensive and many commercial entities cannot afford to expend the resources required to make such a purchase. Moreover, dishwashing systems may over time require significant maintenance, which too is costly. To minimize these downsides, many commercial entities choose to lease dishwashing systems instead. Indeed, there is an entire industry of lessors (e.g., dish machine dealers and distributors) who purchase (or manufacture, refurbish, et cetera) commercial dishwashing machines and then rent them out to restaurants, hotels, bars, hospitals, senior homes, and other entities. Often, as part of the lease agreement, the lessee also agrees to purchase one or more chemicals required to effectuate the washing of dishes (e.g., soap, sanitation agents, et cetera) from the lessor.

Traditionally, when the lessor leases the commercial dishwasher to the lessee, it retains full ownership rights. The interests of the lessor and the lessee are not always fully aligned. The paramount concern for the lessee is to ensure that the dishwasher functions to wash dishes on command in the short term (e.g., that day), as otherwise, the lessee may lose valuable time, which may lead to financial losses. For instance, where the lessee is an owner of a restaurant, for example, the owner may primarily be concerned with ensuring that the dishwasher functions in the short term (e.g., that day), as otherwise, the lessee may lose customers because the dishwasher is down and the restaurant does not have clean dishes to timely serve the patrons. The lessee is generally not concerned, however, with ensuring that the proper dishwashing liquid for the particular machine is used, or that maintenance is timely performed so that the longevity of the dishwashing machine is not adversely affected in the long run. The lessor, on the other hand, desires to ensure that the dishwashing machines function properly, not just in the short term, but also for years to come. The lessor may therefore send technicians on site periodically (such as once every two to three months) to ensure that dishwashers are being used as intended (e.g., that the chemicals suited to that machine are being employed) and proper maintenance is performed.

Often, the lessor's technicians are not close to the site at which the dishwashing machine is located (e.g., the lessor's technician may have to drive one, two, three, or more hours to tend to a dishwashing machine in a restaurant, bar, or other location). Servicing the dishwashing machines (e.g., driving several hours to check if the dishwashing machine is functioning as intended) may therefore be a costly endeavor, at least in part due to the technician's wasted time.

The lessor's technicians may also have to periodically visit the site(s) at which the commercial dishwashing machines are situated to determine usage of the dishwashing machines. Specifically, the lessors may not charge for the commercial dishwashing machine a flat fee because such flat fees do not account for the actual usage of the dish machine and the resulting wear and tear, which can have impact on the life of the machine and the associated costs for maintenance. Instead, to ensure that usage of the dishwashing machine is taken into account in the lease fees, the lessors may charge the lessees a sum certain per rack (i.e., per cleaning cycle). For example, the lessor may charge the lessee between 2-10 cents per rack. The skilled artisan understands that a commercial dishwasher may have one or more racks (e.g., one rack for glasses, one rack for plates, one rack for bowls, et cetera), and that each rack may be independently operated.

To facilitate monitoring of the dishwasher's usage, the commercial dishwashing machine may have a rack counter, which may count only the total number of racks for which the commercial dishwashing machine has been used; that is, such counters may be akin to odometers in older vehicles, which count only the total number of miles for which the vehicle has been driven since manufacture. The lessor may send a technician to the site every month (or every two weeks, two months, three months, et cetera). The technician may read the rack counter, subtract from the current reading the reading obtained on the previous visit, and thereby determine the number of racks that have been washed since the technician's last visit. This number may then be taken into account by the lessor in charging the lessee the appropriate fees for the particular dishwashing machine.

To illustrate, consider for example a typical prior art low temperature commercial dishwashing machine100, as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2. The dishwashing system100may have a housing102H having a front side102F, a right side102R, and a top side102T. While not clearly visible in the figures, the housing102H of the dishwashing system100may also have a left side102L opposite the right side102R and a back side102B opposite the front side102F. The housing102H may have at the front side102F a handle104secured to a door106. The handle104may be used to pull the door106open to reveal one or more dish racks, which may be filled with dirty dishes that need to be cleaned. A sanitation agent supply vessel112(a bucket, box, et cetera) may be adhered to the dishwashing system100on the right side102R of the housing102H, or elsewhere. The supply vessel112may be configured to retain a sanitation agent114and other cleaning compounds, and may dispense these cleaning compounds during the sanitation cycles to the dirty dishes via a supply tube (not expressly shown).

The dishwashing system100may also have a control housing120located on the top side102T of the machine housing102H. The control housing120may house, for example, electronics, control circuitry, switches and knobs, et cetera, to allow the operation of the machine100to be controlled. For example, the control housing120may include inputs (i.e., knobs, buttons, et cetera)122for allowing users to control the various settings of the dish washing system100, such as cycle duration, temperature, power on/off, et cetera, and outputs124(e.g., lights, cycle alarms, et cetera) to convey information about the workings of the dishwashing system100to the users.

The dishwashing system110control housing120may have a counter126. The counter126, as discussed above, may include a running count of the racks washed by the dishwashing machine100. For example, as shown inFIG. 1, the counter may read 321,426 on Oct. 1, 2016, indicating that the machine100has been used to clean 321,426 racks of dirty dishes to date. The lessor may send over a technician to the site on Oct. 1, 2016, who may note the reading of the counter126in his notebook.

The lessor may then send a technician to the site on Nov. 1, 2016 (or another date).FIG. 2shows the machine100as it appears on Nov. 1, 2016. As can be seen, the counter126now reads 322,825. The technician may therefore determine that the machine100has been used to wash 1,399 racks in the last month (i.e., CounterNov. 1-CounterOct. 1=322,825−321,426=1,399 racks from October 1 to November 1). The technician may convey the rack count to the lessor, who may then charge the lessee based at least in part on the rack count (e.g., charge for 1,399 racks at 10 cents per rack=$139.9).

As noted, a lessor may lease several dishwashing machines in different parts of the country, and may be forced to send technicians periodically to each site so that the counter126readings may be noted. If the lessee does not timely pay the monies owed (e.g., $139.9 in this example), the lessor may be forced to send a technician on site again, this time to disable the machine100(e.g., the technician may use a control panel on the machine100to electronically lock the machine100, disconnect the power (or another) line within the control housing120, or use a jumper, lock, and/or other means to preclude the machine100from being used to wash dishes). When the machine100is disabled and causes the lessee to suffer losses, the lessee may pay the lessor the monies owed so that the machine100may be enabled. The lessor may thus be forced to send a technician out to the site yet again to enable the machine100. Such may take several days. The inability of the leased commercial dishwashing machines in the prior art to be remotely operated may thus cause much time and money and to be wasted.

Attention is directed now toFIG. 3, which shows a remote appliance control and monitoring unit200, according to an example embodiment. The remote appliance control and monitoring unit200may have a portable housing202having a front side202F, a right side202R, and a top side202T. The housing202may also have a rear side2020opposing the front side202F, a left side202L opposing the right side202R, and a bottom side202B opposing the top side202T. The front side202F (or another surface) may include indicators (e.g., LED lights which are configured to turn on or off and/or which light up in different colors, beeping alarms, et cetera). For example, as shown inFIG. 3, the front side202F may include indicators204,206, and208, as described in more detail below.

As shown inFIG. 4, the bottom side202B (or another surface of the housing202) may include an opening210. The opening210may be configured to allow the unit200to be electronically coupled (e.g., via one or more wires) to the prior art dishwashing machine100. That is, in some embodiments, the prior art machine100may be retrofitted to include the appliance monitoring and control unit200, as described herein. For example, the unit200may be electronically coupled to the machine100and be situated proximate the control housing120; for instance, a handle210(FIG. 3) may be used to hang the unit200on the wall behind the control housing120. In some embodiments, the housing202of the unit200may be secured to the control housing120itself (or may be secured to a different portion of the machine100). In other embodiments still, the functionality of the unit200may be included in new machines (e.g., the control housing120may be supplied with the components of the unit200, as described herein). As discussed herein, the unit200may leverage one or more systems existing in the prior art machine100to allow for the remote monitoring and operation of the machine100.

The housing202of the unit200may be configured to include one or more electronics (e.g., wires, switches, PCBs, traces, resistors, meters, memory, networking device, et cetera) to allow the unit200to function as described herein. In one embodiment, the housing200may include at least one PCB212(FIG. 5), one or more microprocessors214, and a wired and/or wireless networking device (such as a WIFI switch or router). The microprocessor214may include or have access to transitory or non-transitory memory for storing programmable instructions, which may allow the unit200to perform certain functions as described herein.

FIG. 6schematically shows a remote appliance monitoring and control system300. The example remote appliance monitoring and control system300includes the remote appliance and monitoring control unit200, the dishwashing machine100, and a user computer350. As shown inFIG. 6, each of the user computer350and the dishwashing machine100may be communicatively coupled to the unit200.

The dishwashing machine100(seeFIGS. 1, 2) may include a rack trigger sensor130and a power control140. The rack trigger sensor130may have associated therewith a meter (e.g., a meter coupled to the cycle on/off switch within the machine100as shown inFIG. 1) whose count is incremented each time a rack is run in the machine100. The rack trigger sensor130may be triggered each time the dishwashing machine100is used to wash a new rack. The dishwashing machine100may also have a power control140(e.g., a switch that may be turned on and off to power the machine100). In some embodiments, the power control140in the prior art machine100may allow the user (e.g., the lessor) to lock the machine100such that it cannot be used by the lessee without the lessor's intervention; for example, the power control140may include a password protected digital lock which, when activated, precludes operation of the machine100.

The unit200, as shown inFIG. 6, may be communicatively coupled to the machine100(e.g., via wiring, or via a wired and/or wireless communication channel301). In a presently preferred embodiment, the unit200may be hardwired to the dishwashing machine100(e.g., the rack trigger sensor130and the power control lines140may be used to provide inputs and/or outputs to the unit200directly coupled to the machine100).

The unit200(seeFIG. 3) may include the processor214, which may be coupled to the memory220and a network interface302. Network interface302may be implemented as one or both of a wired network interface and a wireless network interface, as is known in the art, though in a currently preferred embodiment, the network interface302is implemented as a wireless network interface. Memory220represents one or more of volatile memory (e.g., RAM) and non-volatile memory (e.g., ROM, FLASH, magnetic media, optical media, et cetera). Although shown within unit200, memory220may be, at least in part, implemented as network storage that is external to structure200and accessed via network interface302.

The memory220of the unit200may include software303. The software303may include machine readable instructions that may be implemented by the processor214to allow the unit200, and the system300, to function as described herein. For example, in an embodiment, the software303may include a timer302, a counter304, a counter reset manager306, a monitor307, a lockout module308, and an LED control module310. The memory220may include, e.g., in a transitory and/or a non-transitory portion of the memory220, a storage area312.

The unit200, via an application programming interface314and over a network316(e.g., a WI-FI Internet network and/or a wired network), may be configured to communicate with a user computer350. In a presently preferred embodiment, the dishwashing machine100and the unit200coupled thereto may be located on site (e.g., in a restaurant, bar, hotel, nursing home, et cetera), whereas the user computer350may be remote therefrom (e.g., in an office of the lessor). The user (e.g., the lessor) may use the user computer350to communicate with the dishwashing machine100remotely over the network316via the unit200.

The user computer350, which may be a desktop, a laptop, a smart phone, et cetera, may, as is known, include a memory352coupled to a processor351. The memory352may include an application (or other software)354having an interface (e.g., a web interface)356. The user (e.g., the entity from whom the machine100is leased) may remotely monitor and control the working of the machine100using the web interface356. The web interface356may, for example, be accessible over a website, which may be password protected and/or encrypted. Alternately, or in addition, the web interface356may be accessed via an application (e.g., a mobile application) on a smart phone.

The timer module302may be configured to determine the duration (e.g., seconds, minutes, hours, et cetera) for which the machine100has been in a particular state. For example, the timer302may keep track of the time for which the machine100has been powered on, and of the time for which the machine100has been used to wash dirty dishes. The data retrieved from the timer302, and the other data in the memory220, may be accessed by the user remotely via the user computer350. For example, if the lessee complains that the machine100is not powering on, the lessor may check same from his location without having to send a technician out on site. In embodiments, the unit200may be communicatively coupled to a timer motor of the dishwasher100that enables the timer302to determine the duration for which the machine100has been in a particular state. In embodiments, the unit200may be coupled to a timer motor of the dishwashing machine100to enable the timer302to determine the durations for which the machine100is in a particular state.

The counter304may be electronically and/or mechanically coupled to the counter126(FIG. 1) of the machine100. That is, the counter304of the unit200may, in an embodiment, employ existing mechanisms in the machine100as a trigger, which may save costs (as compared to sensing a rack being washed anew). For instance, the counter304may be wired to the line providing impulses to the counter126of the prior art machine100. The counter304may thus keep track of the number of racks for which the machine100has been used, and the user may be able to remotely determine same using the web interface356. Unlike the counter126of the machine100, which counts only the total number of racks, the counter304may allow the user to use the web interface356to determine the workings of the machine100in additional detail. For example, the user may use the web interface356to determine the total number of racks the machine100has been used for in a day, in a week, in a month, in a year, et cetera. Reception of the rack counts remotely may eliminate the need for the user (e.g., dealer) to send out his technicians on site every so often to determine the rack counts.

In some embodiments, the counter data304may be sent to the user periodically and automatically (e.g., an e-mail may be sent to the user outlining the rack counter304readings for the machine100and of other machines). Alternately, or in addition, the user may use the web interface to receive the rack counts (and other data described herein) on command. The counter reset manager306may allow for the counter304data to be reset (e.g., once every month if the payment for the lease is due on a monthly basis, or at another time). While not required, in some embodiments, the unit200may have a display (e.g., an LED display, a touch screen, et cetera) which displays the current count on the counter304.

The web interface356may be robust and may allow for the rack counter304data (and other data, e.g., the timer302data) to be used for analytics. For example, the web interface356may graphically arrange the data so as to provide intuitive historical rack counts from the last year, the last month, the last week, et cetera, which may indicate that the site sees more dirty dishes on particular days, weeks, or months. In some embodiments, the timer302may be associated with the particular time zone (e.g., Central, Mountain, Pacific, et cetera) in which the site (i.e., the machine100) is located, and each rack count from the counter304may include a time stamp outlining when the rack was run. Such may allow the usage of the machine100to be evaluated with more granularity. In some embodiments, the user (i.e., lessor) may ship to the lessee cleaning compounds based on the counter data (e.g., if the lessor ships cleaning compounds to the lessee once a month, but the rack counts indicate that the lessee is likely to run out of cleaning compounds a week early, the lessor may ship the cleaning compounds to lessee ahead of time to minimize the down time and losses that the lessee would otherwise suffer). The counter304data may likewise be used for maintenance or repair. For example, instead of sending out technicians to perform maintenance or repair on the machine100every periodically (e.g., every six months), the lessor may send technicians to perform maintenance or repair when the counter304data indicates that, based on the actual usage of the machine100, such maintenance is due.

The monitor307may be configured to monitor at least one attribute of the machine100. In an embodiment, the monitor307may be a temperature monitor configured to monitor the sanitation temperatures of the machine100. In embodiments, the temperature monitor307of the unit200may be communicatively coupled to a sensor of the dish machine100that is configured to monitor the air and/or water temperatures of the machine100. The temperature data collected by the monitor307may, in embodiments, be transmitted to the user computer350and displayed on the web interface356. Such may allow the user to remotely ensure that the dish washing machine100is working as intended, e.g., is not overheating, is regulating the temperatures of the wash cycles appropriately, etc. If the user determines via the user computer350that the machine100has a defect (e.g., the dishes are not being washed at the appropriate temperature), the user may send out a technician to the site to repair the machine100as required.

Alternately or additionally, in embodiments, the monitor307may include a different monitor (e.g., a monitor other than or in addition to a temperature monitor). As is known, some dishwashing machines100may include sensors (e.g., a soil sensor, a turbidity sensor, a water hardness sensor, a dirt sensor, a load sensor, etc.) that take various measurements prior to, during, and/or after the wash cycles to ensure the proper operation of the machine100. In embodiments, the unit200may be communicatively coupled to one or more such sensors, and the monitor307may be configured to monitor the output of same to ensure that the machine100is working as desired. In embodiments, where one or more such sensors provide an abnormal reading, the monitor307may detect same and generate an automatic alert that is transmitted to the user computer350. The user (e.g., lessor) may thus be automatically apprised of a potential defect in the machine100and may take an action (e.g., send out a technician) to remedy same.

In some embodiments, the unit200may include a global positioning system module311and associated software and hardware. The global positioning system311may outline the location (e.g., latitude and longitude, street address, et cetera) of the unit200—and thereby the location of the machine100to which the unit200is coupled. In some embodiments, the location data may be remotely transmitted to the user computer350(e.g., the lessor may be able to access the location data on command via the web interface356and/or the location data may be appended to the counter data from the counter304that is transmitted to the user computer350). Such may help a lessor keep track of the unit200and the machine100, particularly where the lessor leases out multiple machines in different parts of the country. The location data may further ensure that assets shipped to the lessee (e.g., cleaning compounds transported to the lessee via a third party trucking company) timely arrive at the proper destination. In some embodiments, the GPS311may be omitted but the technician setting up the unit200may transmit the location data (determined, e.g., using a smart phone or external GPS device) to the lessor so the location data can be used (e.g., for the purposes set forth above). In some embodiments, the location data (determined using an external device, for example) may become part of the data that is transmitted from the unit200to the user computer350.

In some embodiments, in addition to or in lieu of the GPS data (which may identify a particular unit200coupled to a particular machine100), the data transmitted by the unit200to the user computer350may include an identification number associated with the particular unit200. The user (e.g., the lessor) may be able to use the web interface356(or other application) to uniquely access the data (e.g., data from counter304) for a particular unit200using the identification number (such as a serial number) of that unit200. The identification number may be a numeric or alphanumeric code, for example. In some embodiments, the identification number may embed, for instance, the name or other identifying characteristic of the entity to which the machine100is leased. In some embodiments, the user may be able to accumulate the information associated with all, or a particular subset, of the units200(for e.g., the user may be able to view, at the same time, the data from the counter304of all machines100that washed over 10,000 racks last month; or, for instance, the user may be able to collate the data from all machines100leased to a particular entity).

Some lessees may, in their leases with the lessors, have a maximum rack count. For example, a lease may specify that the lessee will use the machine100for no more than 10,000 racks a month. In the prior art, the lessor may thus have to send technicians to the site to determine whether the maximum rack count has been exceeded, and if so, to lock out the machine (or the user may lock out the machine100if the lessee has not exceeded the maximum rack count but has failed to timely pay the lease fees). The lessee may then pay the monies owed, and the lessor may send a technician out to the site yet again to allow the machine100to be used, which may be cumbersome.

The unit200may allow the machine100to be locked out, and unlocked, remotely. That is, the user may use the computer350and the interface356to cause the lockout module308to remotely lock the machine100on command. Where the prior art machine100includes an electronic locking mechanism (e.g., where a control panel of the prior art machine100can be used to lock the machine), the unit200may leverage same (e.g., provide a trigger to the control unit to cause the machine100to be electronically locked and unlocked). In some embodiments, the lockout module308may be configured to lock the machine100if the maximum rack count (or another rack count) is exceeded. For example, the user may use the web interface356to automatically lock the machine100if the machine100is used for more than 10,000 (or a different number of) racks in two weeks (or a different length of time).

In some embodiments, the lockout module308may be tied to a payment processing system; for example, the lockout module308may automatically lock the machine100if it determines that monies owed for use of the machine have not been timely paid, and unlock the machine100automatically where the requisite payments are made via the payment processing system. Such may save the user (i.e., the lessor) much time and effort.

In some embodiments, the user (e.g., the lessor) may be able to share some or all of the pertinent data with the lessee (e.g., a restaurant operator). For example, if the restaurant operator complains that the bill for a month has been improperly calculated, the lessor may be able to share the data gleaned using the unit200with the restaurant operator. In some embodiments, the lessor may share the data with the lessee as part of the lease contract, which may enable the lessor to stand out from other lessors. For example, in some embodiments, the user may forward, or the unit200may automatically transmit the day's (or the week's, the month's, et cetera) rack count to the lessee periodically. In some embodiments, the unit200may be manufactured (and/or installed) by a third party who may lease the unit200for a monthly fee, or sell the unit200(e.g., to the lessor of the machine100). In these embodiments, the lessor of the machine100may be able to outsource much of the work involved in maintaining and obtaining the requisite payments for the machines100.

As noted, the unit200may include indicators204,206, and208. In some embodiments, the indicators204,206, and208may indicate that the machine100(and/or the unit200) is functioning as intended, or signal an abnormal condition. For example, the indicator204may turn green (or a different color) to indicate that the unit200is powered on. The indicator206may turn green (or a different color) to indicate that the unit200is in a wireless operative zone of the network316. The indicator208may turn green (or a different color) if the unit200is used to lock the machine100. The indicators204-208may in embodiments illuminate in a different color (e.g., red, or may turn off) to indicate that the machine100is powered off, is not in WI-FI communication, and/or is unlocked, et cetera. In some embodiments, one or more of the indicators204-208may include audible indicators (e.g., the indicator204may beep to apprise the lessee that a rack is being washed).

By monitoring and controlling the machine100automatically via the unit200, both the lessor and lessee save time and money. Specifically, as noted, the lessor saves time and money because he no longer has to send out technicians to physically visit each site on which a machine100is located (e.g., to check the rack counts, to lock the machine, to unlock the machine, to perform maintenance before its due, et cetera). Similarly, the lessees benefit because the lessor's technicians are not clogging up the kitchen (or other room where the dishwasher100is located) periodically, and because, in embodiments, the lessee may be assured that the lessor will ship it cleaning compounds in line with the lessee's usage of the machine100.

The lessor may also use the system300to monitor parts of the machine100. For example, squeeze tubes in the machines100may need to be replaced after a certain number of cycles, and the lessor may use the data obtained via the unit200to ensure that these tubes are timely replaced. In some embodiments, the web interface356may include additional information about the machine100(such as its specifications, the recommended cleaning solutions, automated maintenance alerts, et cetera).

WhileFIG. 6shows one unit200coupled to one dishwashing machine100, the artisan will readily appreciate that the disclosure is not so limited. For example, the user computer350may likewise be used to communicate with multiple (e.g., ten, hundred, thousand, et cetera) units200that are each coupled to a distinct dishwashing machine100. In some embodiments, the machine data storage312may communicate with an external database (e.g., a server and/or the cloud) so that all data regarding all machines100coupled to respective units200is stored and conveniently accessible at the same time using a solitary user computer350. This data may be used for several purposes. The user (i.e., lessor) may use this data to set pricing per rack for its various lessees, and to select preferred lessees (e.g., automatically track which lessees pay on time, use the machine100as desired such that the machines100do not break down intermittently, et cetera). The data may further be used to ascertain, for instance, the durability of a particular brand of machine100, and when to replace an old machine100with a new machine based on the old machine's usage.

In some embodiments, the unit200may have a safe mode. For example, where the network316is down such that it cannot be controlled via the remote computer350, the unit200may go into safe mode and save the associated data in the storage312; the unit200may then transmit the stored data to the user computer350(directly, or indirectly, e.g., via the cloud or remote server) when connectivity with the wireless network316is reestablished. In some embodiments, the lockout module308may automatically lock the machine100where the wireless network316is down, or is down for an extended period of time (e.g., 24 hours).

In this way, thus, the user may conveniently monitor and control the operation of the machine100remotely and efficiently. While the disclosure focuses on the dishwashing machine100, the artisan will appreciate from the discussion herein that the unit200may likewise be used to remotely monitor and control other commercial appliances that are offered for lease. For instance, in an embodiment, the unit200may be electronically coupled to an ice machine which a hotel has leased from the lessor (i.e., a user of the system300); and may allow the user to lock the ice machine remotely (or even automatically) if the hotel does not timely pay the user.

As noted above, the unit200may be situated as desired (e.g., adjacent or otherwise proximate the machine100, inside the control unit120, et cetera). The machine100may be made of stainless steel (or other construction material) that blocks (or otherwise interferes) with the Wi-Fi signal being received at the network interface302. In some embodiments, therefore, the unit200may include a Wi-Fi antenna (e.g., to attain or boost reception). In some embodiments, the Wi-Fi antenna may be internal to the unit200(e.g., situated within the housing of the unit200). In other embodiments, the antenna may be outside the housing of the unit200(e.g., the antenna may be mounted on the back, top, or other surface of the housing102H of the dish machine100and may be coupled to the PCB212(FIG. 5) via an RF cable that passes through the opening210).

FIG. 7shows an example method400of using the unit100to remotely monitor and control a commercial appliance.

The method400may begin at block402. At block404, the user (e.g., a lessor who leases the commercial machine to a lessee) may communicatively couple the unit200to the commercial machine. For example, the user may hardwire and/or otherwise communicatively couple the unit200to the dishwashing machine100, an ice machine, or other commercial appliance. As noted, block404may, in embodiments, include leveraging one or more preexisting systems of the commercial appliance. For example, where the commercial appliance is the dishwasher100, block404may involve coupling the unit200to the dishwasher100such that the rack trigger counter sensor130, power control140, and/or other sensor (e.g., temperature sensor, turbidity sensor, soil sensor, etc.) of the machine100provides an input to the unit200.

At block406, the unit200may determine one or more attributes of the commercial appliance (e.g., of the machine100in this example). For example, the unit200may determine the rack count of the machine100, the duration for which the machine100has been in a particular state, the temperature of the sanitation cycles of the machine100, the sanitation tube usage, et cetera. The determination of the attribute may be automatic (e.g., may be conducted periodically or in response to a condition, such as the powering on of the machine100), and/or maybe effectuated based on user command. For instance, in an embodiment, the unit200may determine an attribute of the machine100in response to an input provided by the user via the web interface356.

At block408, the determined attribute may be communicated over the network316to the user computer350directly and/or indirectly (e.g., via the cloud or other storage that is accessible to the computer350). For example, where the determined attribute is the rack count, this count may be communicated to the user computer350remote from the machine100. The user may thus be able to view this attribute over the web interface356. The communication of the attribute by the unit200to the computer350may, in embodiments, be automatic (e.g., periodic). In other embodiments, the communication may be initiated by the user using the web interface356.

In embodiments, the determined attribute may include an identification number (e.g., a unique alpha-numeric, numeric, or other string identifying the commercial machine) and a time stamp indicating the time at which the attribute was determined.

At block410, an action may be taken in response to the determination of the attribute by the unit200. As discussed above, the responsive action may be automatic or may be initiated by the user. For instance, in an embodiment, where the determined attribute indicates that the lessee has exceeded a maximum rack count, the responsive action may include locking the machine100automatically. Or, for example, where the determined attribute indicates that the lessee is likely out of dishwasher fluids, the lessor may send dishwasher fluids to the lessee so that the machine operation is not unduly impacted. In some embodiments, the responsive action may include using the unit200to automatically alert a technician (e.g., via e-mail, text, web interface356or other means) that the machine100is not operating as intended. The method may then end at block412.

In this way, thus, the unit200may allow the operation of any commercial machine (e.g., dishwasher100) to be remotely monitored and controlled.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. Not all steps listed in the various figures need be carried out in the specific order described.