Patent Publication Number: US-9901240-B2

Title: Tine adjustment and adaptable wash cycle control

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to United States (U.S.) Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/870,154, filed on Aug. 26, 2013, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/878,279, filed on Sep. 16, 2013, both incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     One or more embodiments relate generally to dishwashing technology, and in particular, a dishwashing machine with an adaptable wash cycle system. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In a conventional dishwashing machine, different wash cycles are available for user selection. A user selected wash cycle, however, may not adequately conform to the contents (e.g., plates, cups, etc.) loaded onto one or more dish racks of the dishwashing machine for washing. 
     SUMMARY 
     One embodiment provides a method for customizing a wash cycle of a dishwashing machine. The method comprises gathering sensor information from one or more sensors of the dishwashing machine. The sensor information gathered includes data identifying one or more adjustments to a rack layout of a dish rack of the dishwashing machine. The method further comprises determining a load configuration for the dish rack based on the sensor information gathered. The load configuration determined identifies one or more types of content loaded onto the dish rack. A wash cycle for washing the content loaded onto the dish rack is adapted based on the load configuration determined. 
     These and other aspects and advantages of one or more embodiments will become apparent from the following detailed description, which, when taken in conjunction with the drawings, illustrate by way of example the principles of one or more embodiments. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of one or more embodiments, as well as a preferred mode of use, reference should be made to the following detailed description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a front perspective view of an example dishwashing apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates the interior cavity of the dishwashing apparatus with the racks and removed for ease of illustration, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a block diagram of the dishwashing apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a front perspective view of the upper dish rack, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a rear perspective view of the upper dish rack in  FIG. 4 , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a cross-section of the upper dish rack and example rotation ranges for the adjustable tine sets, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates an example slide adjuster for a corresponding adjustable tine set, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a front perspective view of the upper dish rack, wherein the adjustable tine sets are lowered to the substantially horizontal position, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a rear perspective view of the upper dish rack, wherein the adjustable tine sets are lowered to the substantially horizontal position, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a top view of the upper dish rack, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a front perspective view of the lower dish rack, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a rear perspective view of the lower dish rack in  FIG. 11 , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 13  illustrates a cross-section of the lower dish rack and example rotation ranges for the adjustable tine sets, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 14  illustrates an example slide adjuster for a pair of adjustable tine set, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 15  illustrates a front perspective view of the lower dish rack, wherein the adjustable tine sets are lowered to the substantially horizontal position, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 16  illustrates a rear perspective view of the lower dish rack in  FIG. 15 , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 17  illustrates an example sensor array for the dishwashing apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 18  illustrates a sensor and a corresponding slide adjuster, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 19  illustrates the pair of utensil baskets, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 20  illustrates an example flowchart for determining a customized wash cycle, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 21  illustrates an example flowchart for determining a load configuration for the upper dish rack, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 22  illustrates a table providing example load configurations for the upper dish rack based on the position of each adjustable tine set, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 23  illustrates an example flowchart for determining a load configuration for the lower dish rack, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 24  illustrates a table providing example load configurations for the lower dish rack based on the position of each adjustable tine set and the presence of a utensil basket, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 25  is a high level block diagram showing an information processing system comprising a computer system useful for implementing an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following description is made for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of one or more embodiments and is not meant to limit the inventive concepts claimed herein. Further, particular features described herein can be used in combination with other described features in each of the various possible combinations and permutations. Unless otherwise specifically defined herein, all terms are to be given their broadest possible interpretation including meanings implied from the specification as well as meanings understood by those skilled in the art and/or as defined in dictionaries, treatises, etc. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a front perspective view of an example dishwashing apparatus  10 , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The apparatus  10  comprises a housing  11  with an interior cavity  15  for maintaining at least one dish rack  20 . The apparatus  10  further comprises a dishwasher door  5  pivotally coupled to the housing  11 . 
     In one embodiment, the apparatus  10  includes a first dish rack  30  and a second dish rack  40 . Within the interior cavity  15 , the second dish rack  40  is positioned above, and substantially horizontal to, the first dish rack  30 . Therefore, relative to a surface (e.g., ground) that the apparatus  10  is supported upon, the second dish rack  40  is the upper dish rack  40  and the first dish rack  30  is the lower dish rack  30 . 
     Each dish rack  20  has a rack layout that may be customized to receive and maintain content of various shapes and sizes, such as plates, cups, bowls, pots, pans, etc. As described in detail later herein, each dish rack  20  includes at least one rack layout adjustment assembly/device that facilitates manual adjustments to the rack layout of the dish rack  20  to accommodate content of different shapes and sizes. 
     In one embodiment, the apparatus  10  may further comprise at least one utensil rack  90  shaped to receive and maintain smaller sized content, such as utensils, etc. 
     When the door  5  is open, each rack  20 ,  90  is horizontally slidable into and out of the interior cavity  15 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the racks  20  and  90  are slid out of the interior cavity  15 , permitting easy access the racks  20  and  90  for loading content onto, or unloading content from, the racks  20  and  90 . 
     The racks  20  and  90  may be slid into the interior cavity  15  after a user has completed loading content onto, or unloading content from, the racks  20  and  90 . If the content loaded onto the racks  20  and  90  are unwashed, a wash cycle for washing the content may be initiated when the user closes the door  5 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates the interior cavity  50  of the dishwashing apparatus  10  with the racks  20  and  90  removed for ease of illustration, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The apparatus  10  further comprises multiple water nozzles  50  positioned along one or more interior sidewalls  11 A of the housing  11 . The nozzles  50  deliver pressurized water stream during a wash cycle to the content loaded onto the racks  20  and  90 . In one embodiment, the nozzles  50  provide a continuous pressurized water stream to a deflector blade  9  positioned within the interior cavity  15 . The deflector blade  9  redirects the water stream upwards, and slides towards and away from the nozzles  50  to cover an entire cross-sectional area of the interior cavity  15 . 
     The positions of the nozzles  50  may vary. In one embodiment, a first set of nozzles  50  are positioned below the upper dish rack  40 , and a second set of nozzles  50  are positioned below the lower dish rack  30 . A first deflector blade  9  positioned below the upper dish rack  40  redirects water stream from the first set of nozzles  50  upwards, and slides towards and away from the first set of nozzles  50 . A second deflector blade  9  positioned below the lower dish rack  30  redirects water stream from the second set of nozzles  50  upwards, and slides towards and away from the second set of nozzles  50 . 
     In another embodiment, all nozzles  50  are positioned below the lower dish rack  30 . In yet another embodiment, all nozzles  50  are positioned in between the upper dish rack  40  and above the lower dish rack  30 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a block diagram of the dishwashing apparatus  10 , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The apparatus  10  further comprises a load configuration unit  16 , a user interface unit  17 , a sensor unit  18 , and a wash cycle unit  19 . 
     The sensor unit  18  is configured to gather sensor data indicating one or more manual adjustments to each rack layout of each dish rack  20 . Based on the sensor data gathered, the load configuration unit  18  determines load configuration information for each dish rack  20 . Load configuration information for each dish rack  20  may include information identifying one or more types of content loaded onto the dish rack  20 , and information identifying which portion of the dish rack  20  that each type of content is loaded onto. 
     The user interface unit  17  is disposed along an exterior of the dishwashing apparatus  10 . For example, the user interface unit  17  may be disposed along a top exterior sidewall of the housing  11 . In another embodiment, the user interface unit  17  may be disposed along an exterior surface of the dishwasher door  5 . The user interface unit  17  displays the load configuration to a user for user input. The user input may include either user approval of the load configuration or one or more user provided adjustments to the load configuration. In one embodiment, the user interface unit  17  comprises one or more of the following: a display screen, a keypad, a touch interface, one or more dials, one or more knobs, one or more switches, one or more selector buttons, one or more capacitive buttons and/or interfaces, etc. 
     Based on the user input and the load configuration of each dish rack  20 , the wash cycle unit  19  adapts a wash cycle for washing content loaded onto each rack  20 . Specifically, the wash cycle unit  19  customizes the wash cycle by adjusting one or more wash cycle parameters, such as the amount of water pressure of water stream delivered by each nozzle  50 , the range of motion of the deflector blade, the speed of the deflector blade, the duration of time the deflector blade is in motion, and the position of the deflector blade. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a front perspective view of the upper dish rack  40 , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 5  illustrates a rear perspective view of the upper dish rack  40  in  FIG. 4 , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The upper dish rack  40  includes a rack frame  41  with multiple sides. The rack frame  41  includes a first pair of opposing sides  41 A ( FIG. 6 ) and  41 B ( FIG. 6 ), a second pair of opposing sides  41 D ( FIG. 8 ) and  41 E ( FIG. 9 ), and a bottom side  41 C ( FIG. 6 ) extending between the sides  41 A,  41 B,  41 D and  41 E. The second pair of opposing sides  41 D and  41 E represent the front side and the rear side of the rack frame  41 , respectively. 
     The upper dish rack  40  further includes a handle bar  43  coupled to the rack frame  41 . When the door  5  is open, a user may utilize the handle bar  43  to horizontally slide the upper dish rack  40  into, or out of, the interior cavity  15 . 
     The upper dish rack  40  further comprises multiple tine sets, wherein each tine set includes a plurality of tines  211  ( FIG. 5 ). Specifically, a fixed tine set  250  is fixedly coupled to the bottom side  41 C of the rack frame  41 . The tines  211  of the fixed tine set  250  are positioned vertically and may not be adjusted. 
     Additionally, one or more adjustable tine sets  210  are pivotally coupled to the bottom side  41 C of the rack frame  41 . In one embodiment, for each adjustable tine set  210 , each tine  211  of the adjustable tine set  210  is fixedly coupled to a corresponding rotatable member  212  extending along the bottom side  41 C of the rack frame  41 . Unlike the fixed tine set  250 , each adjustable tine set  210  may be individually rotated to adjust a rack layout of the upper dish rack  40  to accommodate content of various shapes and sizes. 
     For example, as shown in  FIGS. 4-5 , the upper dish rack  40  includes at least a first adjustable tine set  210 , a second adjustable tine set  210 , a third adjustable tine set  210  and a fourth adjustable tine set  210 . The tines  211  of each adjustable tine set  210  may be rotated between different positions. In one embodiment, the tines  211  of each adjustable tine set  210  may be raised to a substantially vertical position X ( FIG. 6 ), or lowered to a substantially horizontal position Y ( FIG. 6 ). For example, in  FIG. 4 , the tines  211  of each adjustable tine set  210  are raised to the substantially vertical position X. By comparison, in  FIG. 8 , the tines  211  of each adjustable tine set  210  are lowered to the substantially horizontal position Y. The tines  211  of each adjustable tine set  210  lie flush against the bottom side  41 C of the rack frame  41  when positioned in the substantially horizontal position Y. 
     In one embodiment, the tines  211  of each adjustable tine set  210  may also be positioned in one or more intermediate positions between the substantially vertical position X and the substantially horizontal position Y. 
     Each adjustable tine set  210  is interconnected to a corresponding slide adjuster  220  for rotating the tines  211  of the adjustable tine set  210 . Each slide adjuster  220  is slidably coupled to a guide track  42  of a side of the rack frame  41 , for example the front side  41 D. 
     For example, as shown in  FIGS. 4-5 , the upper dish rack  40  further comprises a first slide adjuster  220  (Slide Adjuster 1), a second slide adjuster  220  (Slide Adjuster 2), a third slide adjuster  220  (Slide Adjuster 3) and a fourth slide adjuster  220  (Slide Adjuster 4) corresponding to the first adjustable tine set  210 , the second adjustable tine set  210 , the third adjustable tine set  210  and the fourth adjustable tine set  210 , respectively. 
     An adjustable tine set  210  and a corresponding slide adjuster  220  together represent an example configuration of a rack layout adjustment device. As described in detail later herein, each slide adjuster  220  is manually slidable back and forth along a portion of the guide track  42  to rotate the tines  211  of a corresponding tine set  210  to adjust the rack layout of the upper dish rack  40 . 
     The tine sets  210  and  250  are spaced apart between the opposing sides  41 A and  41 B of the rack frame  41 , resulting in multiple rack columns  240 . For example, as shown in  FIGS. 4-5 , the upper dish rack  40  includes at least a first rack column  240  (Rack Column 1) positioned between the side  41 A of the rack frame  41  and the first adjustable tine set  210 , a second rack column  240  (Rack Column 2) positioned between the first adjustable tine set  210  and the second adjustable tine set  210 , a third rack column  240  (Rack Column 3) positioned between the second adjustable tine set  210  and the fixed tine set  250 , a fourth rack column  240  (Rack Column 4) positioned between the fixed tine set  250  and the third adjustable tine set  210 , a fifth rack column  240  (Rack Column 5) positioned between the third adjustable tine set  210  and the fourth adjustable tine set  210 , and a sixth rack column  240  (Rack Column 6) positioned between the fourth adjustable tine set  210  and the side  41 B of the rack frame  41 . 
     The upper dish rack  40  further comprises one or more rotatable flip shelves  45 . For example, as shown in  FIGS. 4-5 , the upper dish rack  40  may include a first flip shelf  45  (Flip Shelf 1) and a second flip shelf  45  (Flip Shelf 2) pivotally coupled to the side  41 A of the rack frame  41 , and a third flip shelf  45  (Flip Shelf 3) and a fourth flip shelf  45  (Flip Shelf 4) pivotally coupled to the side  41 B of the rack frame  41 . 
     Each flip shelf  45  may be rotated between different positions. In one embodiment, each flip shelf  45  may be raised to a substantially vertical position S ( FIG. 6 ), or lowered to a tilt position T ( FIG. 6 ). For example, in  FIG. 4 , each flip shelf  45  is raised to the substantially vertical position S. By comparison, in  FIG. 8 , each flip shelf  45  is lowered to the tilt position T. 
     The first and second flip shelves  45  may be raised to the substantially vertical position S to allow for large and/or tall content (e.g., long-stemmed wine glasses or tall glasses) to be loaded onto and maintained within the first rack column  240 . The third and fourth flip shelves  45  may be raised to the substantially vertical position S to allow for large and/or tall content (e.g., long-stemmed wine glasses or tall glasses) to be loaded onto and maintained within the sixth rack column  240 . 
     The first and second flip shelves  45  may be lowered to the substantially tilt position T to maintain small and/or short content (e.g., espresso cups, mugs) loaded onto the first rack column  240 . The third and fourth flip shelves  45  may be lowered to the substantially tilt position T to maintain small and/or short content (e.g., espresso cups, mugs) loaded onto the sixth rack column  240 . 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a cross-section of the upper dish rack  40  and example rotation ranges for the adjustable tine sets  210 , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The bottom surface  41 C of the rack frame  41  may have different configurations. In one embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the bottom surface  41 C of the rack frame  41  has a substantially sawtooth configuration, such that a bottom of each rack column  240  is substantially angular. In another embodiment, the bottom surface  41 C has a substantially flat configuration, such that a bottom of each rack column  240  is substantially flat. 
     In one embodiment, the first and second adjustable tine sets  210  are rotatable between the substantially vertical position X and the substantially horizontal position Y along a rotation range  216 . The third and fourth adjustable tine sets  210  are rotatable between the substantially vertical position X and the substantially horizontal position Y along a rotation range  217 . 
     In one embodiment, the first and second adjustable tine sets  210  may also be positioned at one or more intermediate positions along the rotation range  216  between the substantially vertical position X and the substantially horizontal position Y. The third and fourth adjustable tine sets  210  may also be positioned at one or more intermediate positions along the rotation range  217  between the substantially vertical position X and the substantially horizontal position Y. 
     In one embodiment, the first and second flip shelves  45  are rotatable between the substantially vertical position S and the tilt position T along a rotation range  46 . The third and fourth flip shelves  45  are rotatable between the substantially vertical position S and the tilt position T along a rotation range  47 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates an example slide adjuster  220  for a corresponding adjustable tine set  210 , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The slide adjuster  220  is manually slidable back and forth in a horizontal direction  44  along a portion  42 A of the guide track  42 , wherein the portion  42 A is disposed between two rack wires  41 W of the side  41 D. 
     In one embodiment, manually sliding the slide adjuster  220  to a first point A raises the adjustable tine set  210  to the substantially vertical position X, and manually sliding the slide adjuster  220  to a second point B lowers the adjustable tine set  210  to the substantially horizontal position Y. For example, the first and second slide adjusters  220  operate in this manner. 
     In another embodiment, manually sliding the slide adjuster  220  to the first point A lowers the adjustable tine set  210  to the substantially horizontal position Y, and manually sliding the slide adjuster  220  to the second point B raises the adjustable tine set  210  to the substantially vertical position X. For example, the third and fourth slide adjusters  220  operate in this manner. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a front perspective view of the upper dish rack  40 , wherein the adjustable tine sets  210  are lowered to the substantially horizontal position Y, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Also shown in  FIG. 8 , each flip shelf  45  is lowered to the tilt position T. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a rear perspective view of the upper dish rack  40 , wherein the adjustable tine sets  210  are lowered to the substantially horizontal position Y, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Also shown in  FIG. 9 , the second and fourth flip shelves  45  are raised to the substantially vertical position S, whereas the first and third flip shelves  45  are lowered to the tilt position T. 
       FIG. 10  illustrates a top view of the upper dish rack  40 , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. As stated above, each adjustable tine set  210  may be individually rotated to adjust a rack layout of the upper dish rack  40  to accommodate content of various shapes and sizes. For each adjustable tine set  210 , each tine  211  of the adjustable tine set  210  is fixedly coupled to a rotatable member  212  that in turn is coupled to a corresponding slide adjuster  220  via a connection mechanism  213 . Manually sliding the slide adjuster  220  along a portion  42 A of the guide track  42  causes the member  212  to rotate to either raise or lower the tines  211  of the adjustable tine set  210 . 
       FIG. 11  illustrates a front perspective view of the lower dish rack  30 , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 12  illustrates a rear perspective view of the lower dish rack  30  in  FIG. 11 , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The lower dish rack  30  includes a rack frame  31  with multiple sides. The rack frame  31  includes a first pair of opposing sides  31 A ( FIG. 13 ) and  31 B ( FIG. 13 ), a second pair of opposing sides  31 D ( FIG. 11 ) and  31 E ( FIG. 12 ), and a bottom side  31 C ( FIG. 13 ) extending between the sides  31 A,  31 B,  31 D and  31 E. The second pair of opposing sides  31 D and  31 E represent the front side and the rear side of the rack frame  31 , respectively. 
     The lower dish rack  30  further includes a handle bar  33  coupled to the rack frame  31 . When the door  5  is open, a user may utilize the handle bar  33  to horizontally slide the lower dish rack  30  into, or out of, the interior cavity  15 . 
     The lower dish rack  30  further comprises multiple tine sets, wherein each tine set includes a plurality of tines  211 . Specifically, a fixed tine set  350  is fixedly coupled to the bottom side  31 C of the rack frame  31 . The tines  211  of the fixed tine set  350  are positioned vertically and may not be adjusted. 
     Additionally, one or more adjustable tine sets  310  are pivotally coupled to the bottom side  31 C of the rack frame  31 . In one embodiment, for each adjustable tine set  310 , each tine  211  of the adjustable tine set  310  is fixedly coupled to a corresponding rotatable member  312  extending along the bottom side  31 C of the rack frame  31 . Unlike the fixed tine set  350 , the adjustable tine sets  310  are rotatable to adjust a rack layout of the lower dish rack  30  to accommodate content of various shapes and sizes. 
     For example, as shown in  FIGS. 11-12 , the lower dish rack  30  includes at least a first adjustable tine set  310 , a second adjustable tine set  310 , a third adjustable tine set  310  and a fourth adjustable tine set  310 . The tines  211  of each adjustable tine set  310  may be rotated between different positions. In one embodiment, the tines  211  of each adjustable tine set  310  may be raised to a substantially vertical position XX ( FIG. 13 ), or lowered to a substantially horizontal position YY ( FIG. 13 ). For example, in  FIG. 11 , the tines  211  of each adjustable tine set  310  are raised to the substantially vertical position XX. By comparison, in  FIG. 15 , the tines  211  of each adjustable tine set  310  are lowered to the substantially horizontal position YY. The tines  211  of each adjustable tine set  310  lie flush against the bottom side  31 C of the rack frame  31  when positioned in the substantially horizontal position YY. 
     In one embodiment, the tines  211  of each adjustable tine set  310  may also be positioned in one or more intermediate positions between the substantially vertical position XX and the substantially horizontal position YY. 
     In one embodiment, the adjustable tine sets  310  are rotatable in pairs. A pair of adjustable tine sets  310  is interconnected to a corresponding slide adjuster  420  for simultaneously rotating the tines  211  of the pair of adjustable tine sets  310 . Each slide adjuster  420  is slidably coupled to a guide track  32  of a side of the rack frame  31 , for example the front side  31 D. 
     For example, as shown in  FIGS. 11-12 , the lower dish rack  30  further comprises a first slide adjuster  420  (Slide Adjuster 1) for simultaneously rotating the tines  211  of the first and second adjustable tine sets  310 . The lower dish rack  30  further comprises a second slide adjuster  420  (Slide Adjuster 2) for simultaneously rotating the tines  211  of the third and fourth adjustable tine sets  310 . 
     A pair of adjustable tine sets  310  and a corresponding slide adjuster  420  together represent an example configuration of a rack layout adjustment device. As described in detail later herein, each slide adjuster  420  is manually slidable back and forth along a portion of the guide track  32  to simultaneously rotate the tines  211  of a corresponding pair of adjustable tine sets  210  to adjust the rack layout of the lower dish rack  30 . 
     In another embodiment, each adjustable tine set  310  is individually rotatable. Each adjustable tine set  310  is interconnected to a corresponding slide adjuster  420  for simultaneously rotating the tines  211  of the adjustable tine sets  310 . 
     The tine sets  310  and  350  are spaced apart between opposing sides  31 A and  31 B of the rack frame  31 , resulting in multiple rack columns  340 . For example, as shown in  FIGS. 11-12 , the lower dish rack  30  includes at least a first rack column  340  (Column 1) positioned between the side  31 A of the rack frame  31  and the first adjustable tine set  310 , a second rack column  340  (Column 2) positioned between the first adjustable tine set  310  and the second adjustable tine set  310 , a third rack column  340  (Column 3) positioned between the second adjustable tine set  310  and the third adjustable tine set  310 , a fourth rack column  340  (Column 4) positioned between the third adjustable tine set  310  and the fourth adjustable tine set  310 , a fifth rack column  340  (Column 5) positioned between the fourth adjustable tine set  310  and the fixed tine set  350 , and a sixth rack column  340  (Column 6) positioned between the fixed tine set  350  and the side  31 B of the rack frame  31 . 
     The lower dish rack  30  further comprises a flip part  345  pivotally coupled to the side  31 A of the rack frame  31 . The flip part  345  includes multiple stems  346 . The flip part  345  may be rotated to lie flush against a bottom side  31 C of the rack frame  31 , allowing for substantially large and/or substantially narrow items, like cutting boards, to rest atop the stems  346  of the flip part  345 . The stems  346  function as stoppers, allowing tight stacking of substantially large and/or substantially narrow items, such as cutting boards, within the rack frame  31 . 
     The lower dish rack  30  further comprises one or more removable utensil baskets. As shown in  FIG. 11 , the first dish rack  30  may include a pair of utensil baskets  70  that are detachably coupled (e.g., via magnets, clips, etc.) to a center handle  75 . The handle  75  allows ease of carrying through alignment between a center of gravity of the utensil baskets  70  and a user&#39;s point of contact with the utensil baskets  70 . For example, when the door  5  is open and the lower dish rack  30  is slid out of the interior cavity  15 , the user may utilize the handle  75  to remove the utensil baskets  70  from, or insert the utensil baskets  70  into, the lower dish rack  30 . 
     In one embodiment, the handle  75  may be extendable (e.g., telescopic) to provide better access for the user when the utensil baskets  70  are full. A mechanism for the extendable handle  75  allows the handle  75  to slide upwards a specific distance. Struts connecting the handle  75  to the utensil baskets  70  may slide upwards a specific distance or the entire handle  75  may be configured to move. Optionally, the struts may be hollow and telescope to extend the handle  75 . Telescoping action may be controlled via a button on the handle  75  (e.g., the handle  75  is locked in a raised or lowered position until the button press releases the handle  75  to allow movement). 
     Each utensil basket  70  has a corresponding lid  71  pivotally coupled (e.g., via hinges) to the utensil basket  70 . The lids  71  allowing individual portions of the utensil baskets  70  to be raised to accommodate various contents within the utensil baskets  70 . 
     The first dish rack  30  may further include a utensil basket without a lid, such as a utensil basket  80  shown in  FIG. 11 . 
       FIG. 13  illustrates a cross-section of the lower dish rack  30  and example rotation ranges for the adjustable tine sets  310 , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The first and second adjustable tine sets  310  are simultaneously rotatable between the substantially vertical position XX and the substantially horizontal position YY along rotation range  316 . The third and fourth adjustable tine sets  210  are also simultaneously rotatable between the substantially vertical position XX and the substantially horizontal position YY along the rotation range  316 . 
       FIG. 14  illustrates an example slide adjuster  420  for a pair of adjustable tine sets  310 , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The slide adjuster  420  is manually slidable back and forth in a horizontal direction  34  along a portion  32 A of the guide track  32 , wherein the portion  32 A is disposed between two rack wires  31 W of the side  31 D. 
     In one embodiment, manually sliding the slide adjuster  420  to a first point A raises the pair of adjustable tine sets  310  to the substantially vertical position XX, and manually sliding the slide adjuster  420  to a second point BB lowers the pair of adjustable tine sets  310  to the substantially horizontal position YY. For example, the first and second slide adjusters  420  operate in this manner. 
       FIG. 15  illustrates a front perspective view of the lower dish rack  30 , wherein the adjustable tine sets  310  are lowered to the substantially horizontal position YY, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 16  illustrates a rear perspective view of the lower dish rack  30  in  FIG. 15 , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. For each adjustable tine set  310  of a pair of adjustable tine sets  310 , each tine  211  of the adjustable tine set  310  is fixedly coupled to a rotatable member  312  that in turn is coupled to a corresponding slide adjuster  420  for the pair of adjustable tine sets  310  via a connection mechanism  313 . Manually sliding the slide adjuster  420  along a portion  42 A of the guide track  42  causes the member  312  to rotate to either raise or lower the tines  211  of the pair of adjustable tine sets  310 . 
     In one embodiment, the slide adjuster  420  is attached to a cam plate that in turn is coupled to the rotatable member  312  via the connection mechanism  313 . The cam plate  380  transforms linear motion resulting from manually sliding the slide adjuster  420  to rotational motion that causes the member  312  to rotate to either raise or lower the tines  211  of the pair of adjustable tine sets  310 . 
       FIG. 17  illustrates an example sensor array  350  for the dishwashing apparatus  10 , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Each dish rack  20  has a corresponding sensor array  350 . Each sensor array  350  has multiple sensors  360 , wherein each sensor  360  corresponds to, and is positioned within proximity of, a slide adjuster  220 / 420  of a corresponding dish rack  20 . The sensory arrays  350  may be positioned either at the front or the back of the dishwashing apparatus  10 . For example, in one embodiment, each sensor array  350  is located within the door  5  of the apparatus  10 . 
     Each sensor  360  is configured to detect a position (e.g., position A, B, AA or BB) that a corresponding slide adjuster  220 / 420  is set at. Detecting a position that a slide adjuster  220 / 420  is set at in turn allows for the position of a corresponding adjustable tine set  210 / 310  to be determined. 
     In one embodiment, the total number of sensors for each dish rack  20  is based on the total number of slide adjusters  220 / 420  coupled to the dish rack  20 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 17 , four sensors  360  are used for the four slide adjusters  220  coupled to the upper dish rack  40 , and two sensors  360  are used for the two slide adjusters  420  coupled to the lower dish rack  30 . Further, if the lower dish rack  30  includes a utensil basket  70 , the total number of sensors for the lower dish rack  30  is based on the total number of slide adjusters  420  coupled to the dish rack  20  plus one. For example, in  FIG. 17 , an additional sensor  390  positioned on an interior sidewall  11 A of the housing  11  is used to detect the presence of a utensil basket  70 . 
     In one embodiment, the sensors  360  of each sensor array  350  are a series of mechanical tact switches. In another embodiment, the sensors  360  of each sensor array  350  are a series of magnetic switches or other position detection mechanisms. 
       FIG. 18  illustrates a sensor  360  and a corresponding slide adjuster  220 , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The sensor  360  is positioned within proximity of the slide adjuster  220 . In one embodiment, a magnet  370  is embedded within the slide adjuster  220 . The sensor  360  is a magnetic sensor that is triggered upon detecting that the magnet  370  is within its proximity. In another embodiment, the sensor  360  is a tactile switch, and the slide adjuster  220  is shaped such that the slide adjuster  220  triggers the sensor  360  when the slide adjuster  220  makes proximate contact with the sensor  360 . 
       FIG. 19  illustrates the pair of utensil baskets  70 , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Each utensil basket  70  has a corresponding lid  71  pivotally coupled to the utensil basket  70 . The lids  71  may include various patterns of holes allowing for utensils to be loaded while each lid  71  is closed and to provide loading guidance with maximum spatial efficiency. 
     In one embodiment, elongated hexagonal patterns are used on the lids  71 . Optionally, the patterns on the lids  71  may provide for staggered loading of utensils to assist in cleaning. 
     The utensil baskets  70  may be formed of plastic or other materials. In one embodiment, the utensil baskets  70  may comprise sensors (e.g., magnets or tact switches) detectable by embedded sensors within the interior cavity  15 . Presence of the utensil baskets  70  may cause adjustments to a wash cycle (e.g., duration, detergent release, water pressure, etc.) for the zone that the utensils are located in. 
       FIG. 20  illustrates an example flowchart  500  for determining a customized wash cycle, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In process block  501 , gather sensor information (e.g., sensor data from sensors  360  and/or  390 ). In process block  502 , determine load configuration based on the sensor information gathered. In process block  503 , display the load configuration (e.g., via the user interface  17 ). In process block  504 , receive user input regarding the load configuration (e.g., receive user approval or user provided adjustments via the user interface  17 ). In process block  505 , based on the user input and the load configuration, determine one or more wash cycle settings (i.e., parameters) to adjust for a customized wash cycle. 
       FIG. 21  illustrates an example flowchart  600  for determining a load configuration for the upper dish rack, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In process block  601 , detect position of the first adjustable tine set based on sensor information gathered for the first adjustable tine set (e.g., sensor data from a sensor  360  within proximity of the first adjustable tine set  210 ). In process block  602 , detect position of the second adjustable tine set based on sensor information gathered for the second adjustable tine set (e.g., sensor data from a sensor  360  within proximity of the second adjustable tine set  210 ). In process block  603 , detect position of the third adjustable tine set based on sensor information gathered for the third adjustable tine set (e.g., sensor data from a sensor  360  within proximity of the third adjustable tine set  210 ). In process block  604 , detect position of the fourth adjustable tine set based on sensor information gathered for the fourth adjustable tine set (e.g., sensor data from a sensor  360  within proximity of the fourth adjustable tine set  210 ). In process block  605 , determine load configuration for the upper dish rack based on the position of each adjustable tine set. 
       FIG. 22  illustrates a table  700  providing example load configurations for the upper dish rack  40  based on the position of each adjustable tine set  210 , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. For example, if the first, second, third and fourth adjustable tine sets  210  are all raised to the substantially vertical position (as shown in  FIG. 5 ), the load configuration unit  16  determines that dishes and bowls are loaded into each rack column  240  of the upper dish rack  40 . The table  700  may be stored in memory. 
       FIG. 23  illustrates an example flowchart  800  for determining a load configuration for the lower dish rack, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In process block  801 , detect position of the first and second adjustable tine sets based on sensor information gathered for the first and second adjustable tine sets (e.g., sensor data from a sensor  360  within proximity of the first and second adjustable tine sets  310 ). In process block  802 , detect position of the third and fourth adjustable tine sets based on sensor information gathered for the third and fourth adjustable tine sets (e.g., sensor data from a sensor  360  within proximity of the third and fourth adjustable tine sets  310 ). In process block  803 , determine load configuration for the lower dish rack based on the position of each pair of adjustable tine sets. 
       FIG. 24  illustrates a table  900  providing example load configurations for the lower dish rack  30  based on the position of each adjustable tine set  310  and the presence of a utensil basket, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. For example, if the first, second, third and fourth adjustable tine sets  210  are all raised to the substantially vertical position (as shown in  FIG. 11 ) and a utensil basket is loaded into the lower dish rack  30 , the load configuration unit  16  determines that, with the exception of the utensil basket in the sixth rack column  340 , dishes are loaded between each remaining rack column  340  of the lower dish rack  30 . The table  900  may be stored in memory. 
       FIG. 25  is a high level block diagram showing an information processing system comprising a computer system  100  useful for implementing an embodiment of the present invention. The computer system  100  includes one or more processors  111 , and can further include an electronic display device  112  (for displaying graphics, text, and other data), a main memory  113  (e.g., random access memory (RAM)), storage device  114  (e.g., hard disk drive), removable storage device  115  (e.g., removable storage drive, removable memory unit, a magnetic tape drive, optical disk drive, computer readable medium having stored therein computer software and/or data), user interface device  116  (e.g., keyboard, touch screen, keypad, pointing device), and a communication interface  117  (e.g., modem, a network interface (such as an Ethernet card), a communications port, or a PCMCIA slot and card). The communication interface  117  allows software and data to be transferred between the computer system and external devices. The system  100  further includes a communications infrastructure  118  (e.g., a communications bus, network) to which the aforementioned devices/units  111  through  117  are connected. 
     Information transferred via communications interface  117  may be in the form of signals such as electronic, electromagnetic, optical, or other signals capable of being received by communications interface  117 , via a communication link that carries signals and may be implemented using wire or cable, fiber optics, a phone line, a cellular phone link, an radio frequency (RF) link, and/or other communication channels. Computer program instructions representing the block diagram and/or flowcharts herein may be loaded onto a computer, programmable data processing apparatus, or processing devices to cause a series of operations performed thereon to produce a computer implemented process. 
     As is known to those skilled in the art, the aforementioned example architectures described above, according to said architectures, can be implemented in many ways, such as program instructions for execution by a processor, as software units, microcode, as computer program product on computer readable media, as analog/logic circuits, as application specific integrated circuits, as firmware, as consumer electronic devices, AV devices, wireless/wired transmitters, wireless/wired receivers, networks, multi-media devices, web servers, etc. Further, embodiments of said architecture can take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment or an embodiment containing both hardware and software elements. 
     One or more embodiments have been described with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems) and computer program products according to one or more embodiments. Each block of such illustrations/diagrams, or combinations thereof, can be implemented by computer program instructions. The computer program instructions when provided to a processor produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor create means for implementing the functions/operations specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram. Each block in the flowchart/block diagrams may represent a hardware and/or software unit or logic, implementing one or more embodiments. In alternative implementations, the functions noted in the blocks may occur out of the order noted in the figures, concurrently, etc. 
     The terms “computer program medium,” “computer usable medium,” “computer readable medium”, and “computer program product,” are used to generally refer to media such as main memory, secondary memory, removable storage drive, a hard disk installed in hard disk drive. These computer program products are means for providing software to the computer system. The computer readable medium allows the computer system to read data, instructions, messages or message packets, and other computer readable information from the computer readable medium. The computer readable medium, for example, may include non-volatile memory, such as a floppy disk, ROM, flash memory, disk drive memory, a CD-ROM, and other permanent storage. It is useful, for example, for transporting information, such as data and computer instructions, between computer systems. Computer program instructions may be stored in a computer readable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readable medium produce an article of manufacture including instructions which implement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. 
     Computer program instructions representing the block diagram and/or flowcharts herein may be loaded onto a computer, programmable data processing apparatus, or processing devices to cause a series of operations performed thereon to produce a computer implemented process. Computer programs (i.e., computer control logic) are stored in main memory and/or secondary memory. Computer programs may also be received via a communications interface. Such computer programs, when executed, enable the computer system to perform the features of one or more embodiments as discussed herein. In particular, the computer programs, when executed, enable the processor and/or multi-core processor to perform the features of the computer system. Such computer programs represent controllers of the computer system. A computer program product comprises a tangible storage medium readable by a computer system and storing instructions for execution by the computer system for performing a method of one or more embodiments. 
     Though the one or more embodiments have been described with reference to certain versions thereof; however, other versions are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein.