Domestic appliance commissioning

A domestic appliance, as provided herein, may include a cabinet, a user input positioned on an exterior of the cabinet, and a controller configured to initiate a commissioning operation. The commissioning operation may include opening a connection channel at a wireless access point on the domestic appliance according to a predetermined initial timeout period. The commissioning operation may further include establishing communication between a remote user interface device and the wireless access point via the open connection channel within the predetermined initial timeout period. The commissioning operation may still further include, in response to establishing communication, maintaining the connection channel between the user device and the wireless access point according to a predetermined extended timeout period.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter relates generally to domestic appliances that can connect to a home network or a remote network, such as the interne; and more particularly, to improved commissioning of such appliances to a user account.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Domestic (e.g., household) appliances are generally used for a variety of tasks by a variety of users. For example, a household may include such appliances as laundry appliances (e.g., a washing machine or dryer appliance), kitchen appliances (e.g., a refrigerator, a microwave, a coffee maker, etc.), along with room air conditioners and various other appliances.

Some domestic appliances can also include features for connecting to and communicating over a secure wireless network. Such communication may provide connected features on the domestic appliances to permit the domestic appliance to communicate with a personal device, smart home systems, or a remote database such as a cloud server.

Existing domestic appliances that can connect to a secure wireless network generally require multiple processes using multiple user interfaces in order to establish a connection or association, in particular an initial connection or association, between the domestic appliance and a user account. For instance, in order to commission an appliance, a user may be required to connect an existing device, such as a phone, to the appliance via a temporary connection while the user performs certain steps on the existing device. In order to maintain the security and integrity of the appliance, the temporary connection may be configured to automatically sever or close after a programmed amount of time. Nonetheless, some users, especially less-technologically-adept individuals, may have difficult performing the necessary processes and thus need more time to perform the processes.

Accordingly, there exists a need for an appliance that can be connected to a secured wireless network and added to a user account in an easier or more secure manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, a method of commissioning a domestic appliance is provided. The method may include opening a connection channel at a wireless access point on the domestic appliance according to a predetermined initial timeout period. The method may further include establishing communication between a remote user interface device and the wireless access point via the open connection channel within the predetermined initial timeout period. The method may still further include, in response to establishing communication, maintaining the connection channel between the user device and the wireless access point according to a predetermined extended timeout period.

In another exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, a domestic appliance is provided. The domestic appliance may include a cabinet, a user input positioned on an exterior of the cabinet, and a controller configured to initiate a commissioning operation. The commissioning operation may include opening a connection channel at a wireless access point on the domestic appliance according to a predetermined initial timeout period. The commissioning operation may further include establishing communication between a remote user interface device and the wireless access point via the open connection channel within the predetermined initial timeout period. The commissioning operation may still further include, in response to establishing communication, maintaining the connection channel between the user device and the wireless access point according to a predetermined extended timeout period.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As used herein, terms of approximation, such as “generally” or “about” include values within ten percent greater or less than the stated value. When used in the context of an angle or direction, such terms include within ten degrees greater or less than the stated angle or direction. For example, “generally vertical” includes directions within ten degrees of vertical in any direction.

As may be seen inFIGS. 1 and 2, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, one or more appliances, such as a first appliance10and a second appliance11, may be provided. The illustrated group of two appliances is provided by way of example only. Various embodiments of the present subject matter may also include only one or three or more appliances.

As generally shown throughoutFIGS. 1 and 2, each appliance10and11includes a cabinet12that defines a vertical direction V, a lateral direction L, and a transverse direction T that are mutually perpendicular. Each cabinet12extends between a top side16and a bottom side14along the vertical direction V. Each cabinet12also extends between a left side18and a right side20(e.g., along the lateral direction L) and a front side22and a rear side24(e.g., along the transverse direction T).

Each appliance10and11may include a user interface panel100and a user input device102, which may be positioned on an exterior of the cabinet12. The user input device102is generally positioned proximate to the user interface panel100, and in some embodiments, the user input device102is positioned on the user interface panel100.

In various embodiments, the user interface panel100may represent a general purpose I/O (“GPIO”) device or functional block. In some embodiments, the user interface panel100may include or be in operative communication with user input device102, such as one or more of a variety of digital, analog, electrical, mechanical or electro-mechanical input devices including rotary dials, control knobs, push buttons, and touch pads. The user interface panel100may include a display component104, such as a digital or analog display device designed to provide operational feedback to a user. The display component104may also be a touchscreen capable of receiving a user input, such that the display component104may also be a user input device in addition to or instead of the user input device102.

Generally, each appliance10and11may include a controller210in operative communication with the user input device102. The user interface panel100and the user input device102may be in communication with the controller210via, for example, one or more signal lines or shared communication busses. Input/output (“I/O”) signals may be routed between controller210and various operational components of the appliances10and11. Operation of the appliances10and11may each be regulated by the respective controller210that is operatively coupled to the corresponding user interface panel100. A user interface panel100may for example provide selections for user manipulation of the operation of an appliance (e.g., via user input device102or display104). In response to user manipulation of the user interface panel100or user input device102, the controller210may operate various components of the appliance10or11. Each controller210may include a memory and one or more microprocessors, CPUs, or the like, such as general or special purpose microprocessors operable to execute programming instructions or micro-control code associated with operation of the appliance10or11. The memory may represent random access memory such as DRAM, or read only memory such as ROM or FLASH. In some embodiments, the processor executes programming instructions stored in memory. The memory may be a separate component from the processor or may be included onboard within the processor. Alternatively, a controller210may be constructed without using a microprocessor (e.g., using a combination of discrete analog or digital logic circuitry; such as switches, amplifiers, integrators, comparators, flip-flops, AND gates, and the like) to perform control functionality instead of relying upon software.

The controller210may be programmed to operate the respective appliance10or11by executing instructions stored in memory. For example, the instructions may be software or any set of instructions that when executed by the processing device, cause the processing device to perform operations. Controller210can include one or more processor(s) and associated memory device(s) configured to perform a variety of computer-implemented functions or instructions (e.g. performing the methods, steps, calculations, etc. and storing relevant data, as disclosed herein). It should be noted that controllers210as disclosed herein are capable of, and may be operable to perform, any methods and associated method steps (e.g., as, or as part of, a commissioning operation) as disclosed herein.

In some embodiments, for example, as illustrated inFIG. 1, a pair of laundry appliances may be provided as the first appliance10and the second appliance11. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1, the first appliance10may be a washing machine appliance and the second appliance11may be a dryer appliance. In embodiments such as illustrated inFIG. 1, the user input device102of each appliance10and11may be positioned on the user interface panel100. The embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1also includes a display104on the user interface panel100.

FIG. 2illustrates another exemplary embodiment of a group of appliance where the first appliance10or the second appliance11is/are kitchen appliances. In this example, the first appliance10is a microwave oven appliance that is generally positioned above the second appliance11, which is a cooktop appliance (e.g., along the vertical direction V).

Microwave oven appliance as first appliance10includes a cabinet12. A cooking chamber is defined within the cabinet12of the microwave oven appliance. The cooking chamber is accessible via a door112and viewable through a window138in the door112. The microwave oven appliance is configured to heat articles (e.g., food or beverages) within the cooking chamber using electromagnetic radiation. The microwave oven appliance may include various components that operate to produce the electromagnetic radiation, as is generally understood. For example, the microwave oven appliance may include a magnetron (such as, for example, a cavity magnetron), a high voltage transformer, a high voltage capacitor, and a high voltage diode. The transformer may provide energy from a suitable energy source (such as an electrical outlet) to the magnetron. The magnetron may convert the energy to electromagnetic radiation, specifically microwave radiation. The capacitor generally connects the magnetron and transformer, such as via high voltage diode, to a chassis. Microwave radiation produced by the magnetron may be transmitted through a waveguide to the cooking chamber. The structure and intended function of microwave ovens are generally understood by those of ordinary skill in the art and are not described in further detail herein.

As shown, cooktop appliance as second appliance11includes a chassis or cabinet12that extends along the vertical direction V between a top side16and a bottom side14. The cooktop appliance can include a cooktop surface324having one or more heating elements326for use in, for example, heating or cooking operations. In exemplary embodiments, cooktop surface324is constructed with ceramic glass. In other embodiments, however, cooktop surface324may include any another suitable material, such as a metallic material (e.g., steel) or another suitable non-metallic material. Heating elements326may be various sizes and may employ any suitable method for heating or cooking an object, such as a cooking utensil (not shown), and its contents. In one embodiment, for example, heating element326uses a heat transfer method, such as electric coils or gas burners, to heat the cooking utensil. In another embodiment, however, heating element326uses an induction heating method to heat the cooking utensil directly. In various embodiments, the heating elements326may include one or more of a gas burner element, resistive heat element, radiant heat element, induction element, or another suitable heating element.

In some embodiments, the cabinet12of the cooktop appliance may be insulated and may define a cooking chamber selectively enclosed by a door330. One or more heating elements (e.g., top broiling elements or bottom baking elements) may be positioned within cabinet12of the cooktop appliance to heat the cooking chamber. Heating elements within the cooking chamber may be provided as any suitable element for cooking the contents of cooking chamber, such as an electric resistive heating element, a gas burner, a microwave element, a halogen element, etc. Thus, the cooktop appliance may be referred to as an oven range appliance. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the cooktop appliance is provided by way of example only, and the present subject matter may be used in the context of any suitable cooking appliance, such as a double oven range appliance or a standalone cooktop (e.g., fitted integrally with a surface of a kitchen counter). Thus, the exemplary embodiments illustrated and described are not intended to limit the present disclosure to any particular cooking chamber or heating element configuration, unless explicitly indicated as such.

As illustrated, a user interface panel100may be provided on the cooktop appliance. Although shown at front portion of the cooktop appliance, another suitable location or structure (e.g., a backsplash) for supporting user interface panel100may be provided in alternative embodiments. In some embodiments, user interface panel100includes input components or controls102, such as one or more of a variety of electrical, mechanical, or electro-mechanical input devices. Controls102may include, for example, rotary dials, knobs, push buttons, and touch pads. A controller210is in communication with user interface panel100and controls102through which a user may select various operational features and modes and monitor progress of the cooktop appliance. In additional or alternative embodiments, user interface panel100includes a display component, such as a digital or analog display in communication with a controller210and configured to provide operational feedback to a user. In certain embodiments, user interface panel100represents a general purpose I/O (“GPIO”) device or functional block.

As shown, controller210is communicatively coupled (i.e., in operative communication) with user interface panel100and its controls102. Controller210may also be communicatively coupled with various operational components of cooktop appliance300as well, such as heating elements (e.g.,326,332), sensors, and the like. Input/output (“I/O”) signals may be routed between controller210and the various operational components of the cooktop appliance. Thus, controller210can selectively activate and operate these various components. Various components of the cooktop appliance are communicatively coupled with controller210via one or more communication lines such as, for example, conductive signal lines, shared communication busses, or wireless communications bands.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the appliances10or11may take the form of any of the examples described above, or may be any other domestic appliance where improved ease of commissioning the appliance is desired. Thus, it will be understood that the present subject matter is not limited to any particular domestic appliance.

Turning now generally toFIGS. 3 and 4, an appliance110(e.g., first appliance10or second appliance11—FIGS. 1 and 2) may be configured to communicate with each other or with one or more separate, external devices. For instance, controller210may be configured to communicate with a remote user interface device410or remote server420, either directly or via one or more intermediate networks (e.g., a wide area network1000, such as the internet). In some embodiments, the appliance110can access the wide area network1000via an access point, such as a modem or router400, which may be part of a local, wireless network (e.g., WI-FI® or wireless network having a frequency between 1 GHz and 6 GHz).

The remote user interface device410may be a laptop computer, smartphone, tablet, personal computer, wearable device, smart home system, or various other suitable devices including a user interface (e.g., buttons or touchscreen display). In some embodiments, the remote user interface device410includes a controller having a memory (e.g., non-transitive storage media) for storing and retrieving programming instructions. For example, the remote user interface device410may be a smartphone operable to store and run applications (i.e., “apps”) and may include a remote user interface provided as a smartphone app. During use, the appliance110may be in communication with the separate external device410or420through various possible communication connections and channels, such as but not limited to wireless radio frequency (RF) channels (e.g., ZIGBEE®, BLUETOOTH®, WI-FI®, etc.) or any other suitable communication connection.

Methods and systems according to the present disclosure advantageously provide an easy or secure user experience when commissioning a new appliance110). For example, commissioning the appliance110may include connecting the appliance110to a wireless (e.g., RF, WI-FI®, etc.) network for the first time or adding the appliance110to a user account on the remote server420.

FIG. 3provides a schematic view of appliance110communicating with a remote user interface device410during a commissioning operation (e.g., for the first time). In particular, the remote user interface device410may communicate with the controller210of appliance110, such as through a soft access point (soft AP)220on the controller210.

In some embodiments, commissioning of the new appliance110(e.g., commissioning operation) is initiated by requesting to add the new appliance110to a user account and by manipulating a user input102(e.g., pressing a button on the user interface of new appliance110). After the commissioning operation is initiated, the new appliance110may enable the soft AP220of the new appliance110(e.g., in response to manipulation of the user input102). For instance, the soft AP220may open a connection channel (e.g., wireless RF channel) through which the remote user interface device410may connect to and communicate with the new appliance110. Optionally, the connection channel opened at the soft AP220to permit only one device such that only a single, remote device may connect to the soft AP220at a time. In other words, the connection may be limited to a single device. In some embodiments, the soft AP220has a programed service set identifier (SSID) format. The SSID format may permit the remote user interface device410to recognize the soft AP220via the open connection channel. For example, the SSID format may be preprogrammed into a memory of the controller210and made visible to the remote user interface device410(e.g., such that a user can scan for and select the open connection channel at the soft AP220as a WI-FI® network connection).

Once recognized, the new appliance110may establish a secure connection with or to the remote user interface device410(e.g., after the soft AP220is selected by a user at the remote user interface device410). For instance, the soft AP220may establish the secure connection with the remote user interface device410according to or with transport layer security (TLS) protocol. Thus, the connection channel may include a TLS protocol. Over the secure connection, the remote user interface device410may then receive a certificate from the new appliance110, which supplies the soft AP220. The certificate may subsequently be verified (e.g., by the remote user interface device410). Additionally or alternatively, the new appliance110may also receive and verify a certificate from the remote user interface device410.

In certain embodiments, the connection channel is time-restricted. Specifically, the connection channel may be subject to a timeout period (e.g., defined in seconds or minutes). Thus, the timeout period may begin to count down or run once the connection channel is opened (e.g., by enabling the soft AP220). Once the timeout period expires, the connection channel may be closed (e.g., in response to expiration of the timeout period). For instance, the soft AP220may be disabled (e.g., regardless or irrespective of whether the commissioning operation has been completed).

In further embodiments, the timeout period can be varied according to a state of the soft AP220or progress of a user in performing portions of the commissioning operation. For instance, multiple discrete timeout periods may be provided (e.g., programmed within the controller210). As an example, a predetermined initial timeout period and a predetermined extended timeout period for the connection channel may both be included with controller210. The predetermined initial timeout period may be initiated once the connection channel is open and, for instance, represent the period in which the new appliance110can establish the secure connection with the remote user interface device410. In other words, the predetermined initial timeout period may provide a period in which the remote user interface device410can recognize and select the soft AP220. If the secure connection is not established within the initial timeout period, the connection channel may close.

Conversely, if the secure connection is established within the initial timeout period, the extended timeout period may be initiated (e.g., in place of the initial timeout period). The extended timeout period may represent the period in which the commissioning appliance110can be commissioned. Specifically, the extended timeout period may be the period in which the an account token or network credential must be received (e.g., from the remote user interface device410). In other words, the extended timeout period may provide a period in which the secure connection can be maintained at the soft AP220. If the commissioning fails (e.g., an account token or network credential is not received) within the extended timeout period, the connection channel may be closed (e.g., the soft AP220may be disabled).

The extended timeout period may be larger than the initial timeout period. For instance, the extended timeout period may be between six to ten times larger than the initial timeout period. Additionally or alternatively, the initial timeout period may be less than five minutes. For instance, the initial timeout period may be about two minutes. Further additionally or alternatively, the extended timeout period may be greater than fifteen minutes. For instance, the extended timeout period may be about thirty minutes.

Advantageously, the present disclosure and commissioning operation may provide a limited and secure window within which the appliance110is left vulnerable. Moreover, users may be able to conveniently complete the commissioning at a remote device (e.g., without being rushed or at a practical risk of running out of time).

Once connected to the remote user interface device410, the new appliance110may send a device identifier (device ID) and passphrase from the appliance110to the server420via the soft access point220and the remote user interface device410(e.g., from the soft access point220, through the remote user interface device410, and to the server420). In at least some embodiments, the device ID and passphrase may be sent only after establishing a secure connection and verifying the certificate of the new appliance110. Once the device ID and the passphrase are received at the server420, the server420may validate the device ID and the passphrase. After validating the device ID and passphrase, the remote server420may generate an account token.

The account token may be sent from the remote server420to the new appliance110via the soft AP220and the remote user interface device410. For example, the server420may send the account token to the remote user interface device410. The remote user interface device410may then relay the account token along with a network credential (e.g., a password for a local wireless network or router400) to the new appliance110through the connection with the soft AP220. In some embodiments, the account token (e.g., duplicate thereof) may also be maintained at the remote user interface device410, such as to add the new appliance110to the appliances app running on the remote user interface device410.

After receiving the network credential, the new appliance110may close the connection channel at the soft AP220and disconnect the soft AP220from the remote user interface device410. For instance, the soft AP220may be disabled. After closing the connection channel or disabling the soft AP220, the new appliance110may connect directly to the local network. For instance, the new appliance110may connect directly to the user's home WI-FI® network via the router400, as illustrated inFIG. 4. Once connected directly to the router400, the new appliance110may then connect to the remote server420via the router400. Additionally or alternatively, the new appliance110(e.g., controller210) may use the account token to verify or permit the connection to the remote server420. The server420may then associate the new appliance110with the user account.

Turning now toFIG. 5, various methods may be provided for use of a system or appliance (e.g., new appliance110) in accordance with the present disclosure. In general, the various steps of methods as disclosed herein may, in exemplary embodiments, be performed by the controller210as part of an operation that the controller210is configured to initiate (e.g., a commissioning operation). During such methods, controller210may receive inputs and transmit outputs from various other components of the appliance110or separate external device410or420. In particular, the present disclosure is further directed to methods, such as commissioning a domestic appliance (e.g., new appliance110). In certain embodiments, such methods may advantageously facilitate connecting an appliance to a secured wireless network (e.g., local network through a router400) or added to a user account in an easy and secure manner.

At510, the method500includes opening a connection channel at a wireless access point on the domestic appliance according to a predetermined initial timeout period. As described above, opening the connection channel may include enabling a wireless access point (e.g., soft AP) such that a remote user interface device may scan for and identify the wireless access point. For instance, the wireless access point may be identified by the SSID format. In some embodiments, the connection channel is a single-device channel. Thus, only a single device may be permitted to connected to the wireless access point at any one time. In additional or alternative embodiments, the connection channel includes a transport layer security (TLS) protocol. Moreover, as described above, the wireless access point may be configured to close the open connection channel in response to expiration of the initial timeout period if no communication is established (i.e., wherein no communication is established on the open connection channel within the initial timeout period).

At520, the method500includes establishing communication between the remote user interface device and the wireless access point via the open connection channel within the predetermined initial timeout period. For instance, once the connection channel is recognized and prior to the predetermined initial timeout period expiring, the remote user interface device may select the open connection channel. Thus, communication signals may be transmitted between the domestic appliance (e.g., at the wireless access point) and the remote user interface device.

At530, the method500includes, in response to establishing communication, maintaining the connection channel between the user device and the wireless access point according to a predetermined extended timeout period. As described above, the extended period timeout period may be larger than the initial timeout period. In other words, the connection channel may be permitted to remain longer than the time in which communication must be established (e.g., at520). Moreover, as further described above, the wireless access point may be configured to close the connection channel (e.g., disable communication via the wireless access point or soft AP) in response to expiration of the extended timeout period.

At540, the method500includes receiving a commissioning article from the remote user interface device within the extended timeout period. For instance, a network credential or account token may be received, as described above.