Patent Publication Number: US-2023147980-A1

Title: Laundry appliances reservation systems and methods

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present subject matter relates generally to laundry appliances with features for reserving a first laundry appliance and a second laundry appliance which belongs to a same group or location as the first laundry appliance. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Laundry appliances generally include washing machine appliances and dryer appliances. Such laundry appliances are typically paired, such that after washing a load of articles in the washing machine appliance of the pair, the load of articles may be easily transferred to the dryer appliance that is paired with the washing machine appliance. 
     Some laundry appliances, such as commercial laundry appliances, may be reserved by a user. However, laundry appliances may also be organized in groups larger than two, e.g., with multiple pairs of laundry appliances. For example, such larger groups may be found in a laundromat, dormitory, or apartment building, etc. In some instances, the same owner may have multiple pairs of laundry appliances in distinct locations, such as distinct locations of a chain of laundromats, different floors of an apartment complex, or different dormitories on the same campus. 
     Thus, if a user wishes to reserve a washing machine appliance and a dryer appliance, systems and methods for ensuring that the reserved laundry appliances are both part of the same group of appliances, e.g., are paired, would be beneficial. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention. 
     In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of operating a group of laundry appliances is provided. The method includes receiving, from a user via a remote user interface device, an access request for a washing machine appliance from the group of laundry appliances. The method also includes identifying a dryer appliance from the group of laundry appliances. The method then includes reserving the requested washing machine appliance and the identified dryer appliance for the user. The method also includes unlocking the reserved washing machine appliance via the remote user interface device and activating the reserved washing machine appliance after unlocking the reserved washing machine appliance. The method further includes unlocking the reserved dryer appliance via the remote user interface device and activating the reserved dryer appliance after unlocking the reserved dryer appliance. 
     In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of operating a pair of laundry appliances is provided. The pair of laundry appliances includes a washing machine appliance and a dryer appliance matched with the washing machine appliance. The method includes receiving, from a user via a remote user interface device, an access request for the washing machine appliance. The method further includes reserving the washing machine appliance and the dryer appliance for the user. The method also includes unlocking the reserved washing machine appliance via the remote user interface device and activating the reserved washing machine appliance after unlocking the reserved washing machine appliance. The method further includes unlocking the reserved dryer appliance via the remote user interface device and activating the reserved dryer appliance after unlocking the reserved dryer appliance. 
     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures. 
         FIG.  1    provides a front view of an exemplary washing machine appliance and an exemplary dryer appliance in accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  2    provides a transverse cross-sectional view of the exemplary washing machine appliance of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  3    provides a perspective view of the exemplary dryer appliance of  FIG.  1    with portions of a cabinet of the dryer appliance removed to reveal certain components of the dryer appliance. 
         FIG.  4    provides a schematic diagram of a laundry appliance in communication with a remote user interface device and a remote database according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  5    provides a schematic diagram of multiple groups of laundry appliances in communication with a remote database. 
         FIG.  6    provides a flowchart illustrating an example method of operating a group of laundry appliances according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  7    provides a flowchart illustrating another example method of operating a pair of laundry appliances according to one or more additional embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 
     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, e.g., clockwise or counter-clockwise. 
     As may be seen in  FIGS.  1  through  3   , in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present subject matter, a group of at least two laundry appliances, e.g., a pair of laundry appliances is provided. 
     As may be seen generally throughout  FIGS.  1  through  3   , a user interface panel  100  and a user input device  102  may be positioned on an exterior of each laundry appliance. The user input device  102  is generally positioned proximate to the user interface panel  100 , and in some embodiments, the user input device  102  may be positioned on the user interface panel  100 . 
     In various embodiments, the user interface panel  100  may represent a general purpose I/O (“GPIO”) device or functional block. In some embodiments, the user interface panel  100  may include or be in operative communication with user input device  102 , 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 panel  100  may include a display component  104 , such as a digital or analog display device designed to provide operational feedback to a user. The display component  104  may also be a touchscreen capable of receiving a user input, such that the display component  104  may also be a user input device in addition to or instead of the user input device  102 . 
     Generally, each appliance may include a controller  210  in operative communication with the user input device  102 . The user interface panel  100  and the user input device  102  may be in communication with the controller  210  via, for example, one or more signal lines or shared communication busses. Input/output (“I/O”) signals may be routed between controller  210  and various operational components of the appliance. Operation of the appliance can be regulated by the controller  210  that is operatively coupled to the user interface panel  100 . A user interface panel  100  may for example provide selections for user manipulation of the operation of an appliance, e.g., via user input device  102  and/or display  104 . In response to user manipulation of the user interface panel  100  and/or user input device  102 , the controller  210  may operate various components of the appliance. Controller  210  may 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 appliance. The memory may represent random access memory such as DRAM, or read only memory such as ROM or FLASH. In one embodiment, 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 controller  210  may be constructed without using a microprocessor, e.g., using a combination of discrete analog and/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 controller  210  may be programmed to operate the appliance by 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. Controller  210  can include one or more processor(s) and associated memory device(s) configured to perform a variety of computer-implemented functions and/or instructions (e.g. performing the methods, steps, calculations and the like and storing relevant data as disclosed herein). It should be noted that controllers  210  as disclosed herein are capable of and may be operable to perform any methods and associated method steps as disclosed herein. 
     In some embodiments, for example, as illustrated in  FIG.  1   , the group, e.g., pair, of laundry appliances may include a washing machine appliance  10  and a dryer appliance  11 . In embodiments such as illustrated in  FIG.  1   , the user input device  102  of each appliance  10  and  11  may be positioned on the user interface panel  100 . The embodiment illustrated in  FIG.  1    also includes a display  104  on the user interface panel  100  of each household appliance  10  and  11 . 
     As generally seen throughout  FIGS.  1  through  3   , in at least some embodiments, each laundry appliance  10  and  11  includes a cabinet  12  which defines a vertical direction V and a lateral direction L that are mutually perpendicular. Each cabinet  12  extends between a top side  16  and a bottom side  14  along the vertical direction V. Each cabinet  12  also extends between a left side  18  and a right side  20 , e.g., along the lateral direction L. 
     Additional exemplary details of the laundry appliances are illustrated in  FIGS.  2  and  3   . For example,  FIG.  2    provides a cross-sectional view of the exemplary washing machine appliance  10 . As illustrated in  FIG.  2   , a wash tub  124  is non-rotatably mounted within cabinet  12 . As may be seen in  FIG.  2   , the wash tub  124  defines a central axis  101 . In the example embodiment illustrated by  FIG.  2   , the central axis  101  may be oriented generally along or parallel to the transverse direction T of the washing machine appliance  10 . Accordingly, the washing machine appliance  10  may be referred to as a horizontal axis washing machine. 
     Referring again to  FIG.  2   , a wash basket  120  is rotatably mounted within the tub  124  such that the wash basket  120  is rotatable about an axis of rotation, which generally coincides with central axis  101  of the tub  124 . A motor  122 , e.g., such as a pancake motor, is in mechanical communication with wash basket  120  to selectively rotate wash basket  120  (e.g., during an agitation or a rinse cycle of washing machine appliance  10 ). Wash basket  120  defines a wash chamber  126  that is configured for receipt of articles for washing. The wash tub  124  holds wash and rinse fluids for agitation in wash basket  120  within wash tub  124 . As used herein, “wash fluid” may refer to water, detergent, fabric softener, bleach, or any other suitable wash additive or combination thereof. The wash basket  120  and the tub  124  may collectively define at least a portion of a tub assembly for the washing machine appliance  10 . 
     Wash basket  120  may define one or more agitator features that extend into wash chamber  126  to assist in agitation and cleaning of articles disposed within wash chamber  126  during operation of washing machine appliance  10 . For example, as illustrated in  FIG.  2   , a plurality of ribs  128  extends from basket  120  into wash chamber  126 . In this manner, for example, ribs  128  may lift articles disposed in wash basket  120  during rotation of wash basket  120 . 
     Referring generally to  FIGS.  1  and  2   , cabinet  12  also includes a front panel  130  which defines an opening  132  that permits user access to wash basket  120  within wash tub  124 . More specifically, washing machine appliance  10  includes a door  134  that is positioned in front of opening  132  and is rotatably mounted to front panel  130 . Door  134  is rotatable such that door  134  permits selective access to opening  132  by rotating between an open position (not shown) facilitating access to a wash tub  124  and a closed position ( FIG.  1   ) prohibiting access to wash tub  124 . 
     A window  136  in door  134  permits viewing of wash basket  120  when door  134  is in the closed position, e.g., during operation of washing machine appliance  10 . Door  134  also includes a handle (not shown) that, e.g., a user may pull when opening and closing door  134 . Further, although door  134  is illustrated as mounted to front panel  130 , it should be appreciated that door  134  may be mounted to another side of cabinet  12  or any other suitable support according to alternative embodiments. 
     Referring again to  FIG.  2   , wash basket  120  also defines a plurality of perforations  140  in order to facilitate fluid communication between an interior of basket  120  and wash tub  124 . A sump  142  is defined by wash tub  124  at a bottom of wash tub  124  along the vertical direction V. Thus, sump  142  is configured for receipt of and generally collects wash fluid during operation of washing machine appliance  10 . For example, during operation of washing machine appliance  10 , wash fluid may be urged by gravity from basket  120  to sump  142  through plurality of perforations  140 . A pump assembly  144  is located beneath tub  124  for gravity assisted flow when draining tub  124 , e.g., via a drain  146 . Pump assembly  144  may be configured for recirculating wash fluid within wash tub  124 . 
     A spout  150  is configured for directing a flow of fluid into wash tub  124 . For example, spout  150  may be in fluid communication with a water supply (not shown) in order to direct fluid (e.g., clean water) into wash tub  124 . Spout  150  may also be in fluid communication with the sump  142 . For example, pump assembly  144  may direct wash fluid disposed in sump  142  to spout  150  in order to circulate wash fluid in wash tub  124 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  2   , a detergent drawer  152  is slidably mounted within front panel  130 . Detergent drawer  152  receives a wash additive (e.g., detergent, fabric softener, bleach, or any other suitable liquid or powder) and directs the fluid additive to wash chamber  124  during operation of washing machine appliance  10 . According to the illustrated embodiment, detergent drawer  152  may also be fluidly coupled to spout  150  to facilitate the complete and accurate dispensing of wash additive. 
     Additionally, a bulk reservoir  154  is disposed within cabinet  12 . Bulk reservoir  154  is also configured for receipt of fluid additive for use during operation of washing machine appliance  10 . Bulk reservoir  154  is sized such that a volume of fluid additive sufficient for a plurality or multitude of wash cycles of washing machine appliance  10  (e.g., five, ten, twenty, fifty, or any other suitable number of wash cycles) may fill bulk reservoir  154 . Thus, for example, a user can fill bulk reservoir  154  with fluid additive and operate washing machine appliance  10  for a plurality of wash cycles without refilling bulk reservoir  154  with fluid additive. A reservoir pump  156  is configured for selective delivery of the fluid additive from bulk reservoir  154  to wash tub  124 . 
     During operation of washing machine appliance  10 , e.g., during a wash cycle of the washing machine appliance  10 , a laundry items are loaded into wash basket  120  through opening  132 , and washing operation is initiated through operator manipulation of input selectors  102 . Wash tub  124  is filled with water, detergent, and/or other fluid additives, e.g., via spout  150  and/or detergent drawer  152 . One or more valves (not shown) can be controlled by washing machine appliance  10  to provide for filling wash basket  120  to the appropriate level for the amount of articles being washed and/or rinsed. By way of example for a wash mode, once wash basket  120  is properly filled with fluid, the contents of wash basket  120  can be agitated (e.g., with ribs  128 ) for washing of laundry items in wash basket  120 . 
     After the agitation phase of the wash cycle is completed, wash tub  124  can be drained. Laundry articles can then be rinsed by again adding fluid to wash tub  124 , depending on the particulars of the cleaning cycle selected by a user. Ribs  128  may again provide agitation within wash basket  120 . One or more spin cycles may also be used. In particular, a spin cycle may be applied after the wash cycle and/or after the rinse cycle in order to wring wash fluid from the articles being washed. During a spin cycle, basket  120  is rotated at relatively high speeds. After articles disposed in wash basket  120  are cleaned and/or washed, the user can remove the articles from wash basket  120 , e.g., by opening door  134  and reaching into wash basket  120  through opening  132 . 
     While described in the context of a specific embodiment of horizontal axis washing machine appliance  10 , using the teachings disclosed herein it will be understood that horizontal axis washing machine appliance  10  is provided by way of example only. It should be appreciated that the present subject matter is not limited to any particular style, model, or configuration of washing machine appliance. Other washing machine appliances having different configurations, different appearances, and/or different features may also be utilized with the present subject matter as well, e.g., vertical axis washing machine appliances. 
       FIG.  3    provides a perspective view of the dryer appliance  11  of  FIG.  1   , which is an example embodiment of a household appliance, with a portion of a cabinet or housing  12  of dryer appliance  11  removed in order to show certain components of dryer appliance  11 . Dryer appliance  11  generally defines a vertical direction V, a lateral direction L, and a transverse direction T, each of which is mutually perpendicular, such that an orthogonal coordinate system is defined. While described in the context of a specific embodiment of dryer appliance  11 , using the teachings disclosed herein, it will be understood that dryer appliance  11  is provided by way of example only. Other dryer appliances having different appearances and different features may also be utilized with the present subject matter as well. 
     Cabinet  12  includes a front side  22  and a rear side  24  spaced apart from each other along the transverse direction T. Within cabinet  12 , an interior volume  29  is defined. A drum or container  26  is mounted for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis within the interior volume  29 . Drum  26  defines a chamber  25  for receipt of articles of clothing for tumbling and/or drying. Drum  26  extends between a front portion  37  and a back portion  38 . Drum  26  also includes a back or rear wall  34 , e.g., at back portion  38  of drum  26 . A supply duct  41  may be mounted to rear wall  34  and receives heated air that has been heated by a heating assembly or system  40 . 
     As used herein, the terms “clothing” or “articles” includes but need not be limited to fabrics, textiles, garments, linens, papers, or other items from which the extraction of moisture is desirable. Furthermore, the term “load” or “laundry load” refers to the combination of clothing that may be washed together in a washing machine or dried together in a dryer appliance  11  (e.g., clothes dryer) and may include a mixture of different or similar articles of clothing of different or similar types and kinds of fabrics, textiles, garments and linens within a particular laundering process. 
     A motor  31  is provided in some embodiments to rotate drum  26  about the horizontal axis, e.g., via a pulley and a belt (not pictured). Drum  26  is generally cylindrical in shape, having an outer cylindrical wall  28  and a front flange or wall  30  that defines an opening  32  of drum  26 , e.g., at front portion  37  of drum  26 , for loading and unloading of articles into and out of chamber  25  of drum  26 . A plurality of lifters or baffles  27  are provided within chamber  25  of drum  26  to lift articles therein and then allow such articles to tumble back to a bottom of drum  26  as drum  26  rotates. Baffles  27  may be mounted to drum  26  such that baffles  27  rotate with drum  26  during operation of dryer appliance  11 . 
     The rear wall  34  of drum  26  may be rotatably supported within the cabinet  12  by a suitable fixed bearing. Rear wall  34  can be fixed or can be rotatable. Rear wall  34  may include, for instance, a plurality of holes that receive hot air that has been heated by heating system  40 . The heating system  40  may include, e.g., a heat pump, an electric heating element, and/or a gas heating element (e.g., gas burner). Moisture laden, heated air is drawn from drum  26  by an air handler, such as blower fan  48 , which generates a negative air pressure within drum  26 . The moisture laden heated air passes through a duct  44  enclosing screen filter  46 , which traps lint particles. As the air passes from blower fan  48 , it enters a duct  50  and then is passed into heating system  40 . In some embodiments, the dryer appliance  11  may be a conventional dryer appliance, e.g., the heating system  40  may be or include an electric heating element, e.g., a resistive heating element, or a gas-powered heating element, e.g., a gas burner. In other embodiments, the dryer appliance may be a condensation dryer, such as a heat pump dryer. In such embodiments, heating system  40  may be or include a heat pump including a sealed refrigerant circuit. Heated air (with a lower moisture content than was received from drum  26 ), exits heating system  40  and returns to drum  26  by duct  41 . After the clothing articles have been dried, they are removed from the drum  26  via opening  32 . A door ( FIG.  1   ) provides for closing or accessing drum  26  through opening  32 . 
     In some embodiments, one or more selector inputs  102 , such as knobs, buttons, touchscreen interfaces, etc., may be provided or mounted on the cabinet  12  (e.g., on a backsplash  71 ) and are in operable communication (e.g., electrically coupled or coupled through a wireless network band) with the processing device or controller  210 . Controller  210  may also be provided in operable communication with components of the dryer appliance  11  including motor  31 , blower  48 , or heating system  40 . In turn, signals generated in controller  210  direct operation of motor  31 , blower  48 , or heating system  40  in response to the position of inputs  102 . As used herein, “processing device” or “controller” may refer to one or more microprocessors, microcontroller, ASICS, or semiconductor devices and is not restricted necessarily to a single element. The controller  210  may be programmed to operate dryer appliance  11  by executing instructions stored in memory (e.g., non-transitory media). The controller  56  may include, or be associated with, one or more memory elements such as RAM, ROM, or electrically erasable, programmable read only memory (EEPROM). 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. It should be noted that controllers as disclosed herein are capable of and may be operable to perform any methods and associated method steps as disclosed herein. For example, in some embodiments, methods disclosed herein may be embodied in programming instructions stored in the memory and executed by the controller  210 . 
     Turning now to  FIG.  4   , a general schematic of a laundry appliance  1002 , which may be, e.g., the washing machine appliance  10  or the dryer appliance  11  described above (or both,) and communication features thereof.  FIG.  4    schematically illustrates a laundry appliance  1002 , which may be, for example, one of the laundry appliances  10  or  11  of  FIGS.  1  through  3   , among other possible example laundry appliances, which communicates wirelessly with a remote user interface device  1000 . For example, as illustrated in  FIG.  4   , the laundry appliance  1002  may include an antenna  90  by which the laundry appliance  1002  communicates with, e.g., sends and receives signals to and from, the remote user interface device  1000 . The laundry appliance  1002  may communicate with the remote user interface device  1000  over a direct wireless communication link or over an indirect wireless communication link, such as via a remote server, a network, or cloud  1100 . The remote user interface device  1000  may be a laptop computer, smartphone, tablet, personal computer, wearable device, smart home system, and/or various other suitable devices. 
     The laundry appliance  1002  may be in communication with the remote user interface device  1000  device through various possible communication connections and interfaces. The laundry appliance  1002  and the remote user interface device  1000  may be matched in wireless communication, e.g., connected to the same wireless network. The laundry appliance  1002  may communicate with the remote user interface device  1000  via short-range radio such as BLUETOOTH® or any other suitable wireless network having a layer protocol architecture. As used herein, “short-range” may include ranges less than about ten meters and up to about one hundred meters. For example, the wireless network may be adapted for short-wavelength ultra-high frequency (UHF) communications in a band between 2.4 GHz and 2.485 GHz (e.g., according to the IEEE 802.15.1 standard). In particular, BLUETOOTH® Low Energy, e.g., BLUETOOTH® Version 4.0 or higher, may advantageously provide short-range wireless communication between the appliance  10  and the remote user interface device  1000 . For example, BLUETOOTH® Low Energy may advantageously minimize the power consumed by the exemplary methods and devices described herein due to the low power networking protocol of BLUETOOTH® Low Energy. 
     The remote user interface device  1000  is “remote” at least in that it is spaced apart from and not physically connected to the laundry appliance  1002 , e.g., the remote user interface device  1000  is a separate, stand-alone device from the laundry appliance  1002  which communicates with the laundry appliance  1002  wirelessly. Any suitable device separate from the laundry appliance  1002  that is configured to provide and/or receive communications, information, data, or commands from a user may serve as the remote user interface device  1000 , such as a smartphone (e.g., as illustrated in  FIG.  4   ), smart watch, personal computer, smart home system, or other similar device. For example, the remote user interface device  1000  may be a smartphone operable to store and run applications, also known as “apps,” and some or all of the method steps disclosed herein may be performed by a smartphone app. 
     The remote user interface device  1000  may include a memory for storing and retrieving programming instructions. Thus, the remote user interface device  1000  may provide a remote user interface which may be an additional user interface to the user interface panel  100 . For example, the remote user interface device  1000  may be a smartphone operable to store and run applications, also known as “apps,” and the remote user interface may be provided as a smartphone app. 
     As mentioned above, the laundry appliance  1002  may also be configured to communicate wirelessly with a remote database  1100 . The remote database  1100  may be, e.g., a cloud-based data storage system. For example, the laundry appliance  1002  may communicate with the remote database  1100  over the Internet, which the laundry appliance  1002  may access via WI-FI®, such as from a WI-FI® access point in a user&#39;s home. 
       FIG.  5    schematically illustrates a first group  214  of laundry appliances  1002  and a second group  212  of laundry appliances  1002 , where each appliance  1002  of each group  214  and  212  is in communication with a remote database  1100 , as described above. The exemplary groups  212  and  214  of  FIG.  5    are mutually exclusive, e.g., each laundry appliance  1002  belongs to only one of the groups. Each group of laundry appliances  1002  may include one pair of laundry appliances (e.g., a washing machine appliance and a dryer appliance) or multiple pairs of laundry appliances. In various embodiments, the groups  212  and  214  may be defined based on any suitable unifying characteristic, such as a common location, e.g., on a same floor of an apartment building, etc. In some embodiments, the groups  212  and  214  may be defined by an owner of the laundry appliances  1002 . Further, the exemplary two groups are illustrated in  FIG.  5    by way of example only. Methods and systems according to the present disclosure may also include more than two groups, and the groups may include any number of pairs of laundry appliances  1002 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  6   , embodiments of the present disclosure also include methods of operating a group of laundry appliances, e.g., laundry appliances  10  and  11  described above, among other possible exemplary laundry appliances. Exemplary methods according to the present subject matter include the method  400  illustrated in  FIG.  6   . As illustrated in  FIG.  6   , the method  400  may include a step  410  of receiving an access request for a washing machine appliance from the group of laundry appliances, e.g., the washing machine appliance is one of the laundry appliances in the group. The request may be received from a user and may be received via a remote user interface device, such as the remote user interface device  1000  described above. 
     Method  400  may further include a step  420  of identifying a dryer appliance from the group of laundry appliances. Thus, the identified dryer appliance belongs to the same group of laundry appliances that the requested washing machine appliance belongs to, e.g., the dryer appliance may be located in the same location as the requested washing machine appliance, etc. For example, the group of laundry appliances may include laundry appliances in a common location. The group of laundry appliances may be custom-defined, e.g., the group of laundry appliances may be a predefined group created by an owner of the laundry appliances. 
     In some embodiments, the group of laundry appliances may include a first set of laundry appliances and a second set of laundry appliances. In such embodiments, the requested washing machine appliance may be a member of one of the first set and the second set, and the identified dryer appliance is a member of the same one of the first set and the second set as the requested washing machine appliance. For example, the laundry appliances of the first set of laundry appliances may be located in a first common location and the laundry appliances of the second set of laundry appliances may be located in a second common location different from the first common location. Each set and group may be custom-defined, e.g., in some embodiments, the first set of laundry appliances may be a first predefined set created by an owner of the laundry appliances, and the second set of laundry appliances may be a second predefined set created by the owner of the laundry appliances. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  6   , method  400  may further include a step  430  of reserving the requested washing machine appliance and the identified dryer appliance for the user. Thus, the user may be assured of having a dryer appliance available, e.g., in the same location as the requested washing machine appliance or otherwise belonging to a same group as the requested washing machine appliance, when the washing machine appliance is finished washing a load of articles therein. 
     In some embodiments, method  400  may include unlocking the reserved washing machine appliance via the remote user interface device, as illustrated at  440  in  FIG.  6   . In some embodiments, the remote user interface device and the washing machine appliance may both be in communication with a remote database, as mentioned above, and the unlocking step may include receiving identifying information of the washing machine appliance with the remote user interface device, transmitting the identifying information to the remote database from the remote user interface device, and unlocking the washing machine appliance by the remote database after receiving the identifying information of the washing machine appliance. For example, identifying information of the washing machine appliance may be encoded in a bar code, such as a QR code. As a further example, the identifying information may include a serial number of the washing machine appliance, e.g., which may be recognized in a captured image of the washing machine appliance by the remote user interface device. Thus, unlocking the washing machine appliance may include scanning a code on the washing machine appliance or taking a picture of the washing machine appliance, such as a picture of a nameplate on the washing machine appliance. 
     Method  400  may further include activating the reserved washing machine appliance after unlocking the reserved washing machine appliance, e.g., as illustrated at  450  in  FIG.  6   . For example, activating the reserved washing machine appliance may include performing a cycle of the washing machine appliance, such as the exemplary operation described above, e.g., loading laundry items into wash basket  120  through opening  132 , etc. 
     In some embodiments, method  400  may also include sending, from the reserved washing machine appliance to the remote user interface device, a notification after performing the cycle of the washing machine appliance. The user may thereby be informed that the load of articles in the washing machine appliance are ready to go in the dryer, and the user may thus be notified to unlock the dryer. 
     Still with reference to  FIG.  6   , method  400  may further include a step  460  of unlocking the reserved dryer appliance. The reserved dryer appliance may also be unlocked via the remote user interface device, as described above with respect to the washing machine unlocking at step  440 , e.g., by scanning or otherwise capturing identifying information of the dryer appliance with the remote user interface device, transmitting that identifying information to the remote database, and unlocking the dryer appliance in response to receiving the identifying information. Method  400  may then include a step  470  of activating the reserved dryer appliance after unlocking the reserved dryer appliance, e.g., performing a dry cycle, including rotating the drum  26 , activating the heating system  40 , etc., as is understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. 
     Turning now to  FIG.  7   , another exemplary method  500  of operating a pair of laundry appliances is illustrated therein. The pair of laundry appliances may include a washing machine appliance and a dryer appliance matched with the washing machine appliance. The method  500  may include a step  510  of receiving an access request for the washing machine appliance. The request may be received from a user and may be received via a remote user interface device, such as the remote user interface device  1000  described above. 
     Method  500  may further include a step  520  of reserving the washing machine appliance and the dryer appliance for the user. After reserving the pair of laundry appliances, the washing machine may be manually unlocked, e.g., by the user via the remote user interface device, as described above with respect to  FIG.  6   . Thus, method  500  may include a step  530  of unlocking the reserved washing machine appliance via the remote user interface device. 
     After unlocking the reserved washing machine appliance at step  530 , method  500  may then include a step  540  of activating the reserved washing machine appliance. In some embodiments, activating the reserved washing machine appliance may include performing a cycle of the washing machine appliance. In such embodiments, method  500  may further include sending a notification after performing the cycle of the washing machine appliance, e.g., the notification may be sent from the reserved washing machine appliance to the remote user interface device when the washing machine cycle is completed. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  7   , method  500  may also include a step  550  of unlocking the reserved dryer appliance via the remote user interface device, followed by a step  560  of activating the reserved dryer appliance after unlocking the reserved dryer appliance. Steps  550  and  560  are generally similar to the various unlocking and activating steps described above. 
     The pair of laundry appliances may be a predefined pair created by an owner of the laundry appliances. The pair of laundry appliances may be matched on one or more of several various bases, such as based on a common location of the washing machine appliance and the dryer appliance. 
     Exemplary methods of the present disclosure may also include steps to ensure the user selects the intended laundry appliances. For example, methods according to the present disclosure may also include restricting access to other laundry appliances which are not members of the pair or group of laundry appliances. For instance, the pair of laundry appliances may be a first pair of laundry appliances, and exemplary methods of operating a group or pair of laundry appliances may further include restricting access to a second pair of laundry appliances after receiving the access request for the washing machine appliance of the first pair of laundry appliances. In some exemplary embodiments, the first pair of laundry appliances may be located in a first common location and the second pair of laundry appliances may be located in a second common location different from the first common location. In additional exemplary embodiments, the pairs of laundry appliances may be custom-defined pairs, such as the first pair of laundry appliances may be a first predefined pair created by an owner, and the second pair of laundry appliances may be a second predefined pair created by the owner. 
     In various embodiments, the group or pair of laundry appliances may be a localized group or pair. For example, the group or pair may be defined by a location on a map, and the available laundry appliances may be indicated or displayed on such map, e.g., which may be displayed on a display screen of the remote user interface device. Also by way of example, the group or pair may be defined based on named locations, such as a location in a building, e.g., Floor Ten, or a name or address of a building, such as an address of a particular laundromat location which includes both available laundry appliances. To provide availability of the dryer appliance when the washing machine appliance cycle is complete, both laundry appliances may be reserved at the same time. 
     It should be understood that the foregoing method steps, e.g., of method  400  and/or method  500 , may be performed by the remote user interface device, such as in an app running on, e.g., a smartphone or tablet. For example, the app may be used to start one or both of the laundry appliances, such as after or during the unlocking step(s). 
     This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.