Patent ID: 7418521

Claim:
A controller for bridging a host computer and a plurality of networked laundry machines, comprising: a microprocessor; a memory; means for communicating over a first network on which the host computer resides; and means for communicating over a second network on which the laundry machines reside, the microprocessor being programmed to receive a control command for a first laundry machine from the host computer over the first network, and communicate with the first laundry machine over the second network to carry out the control command, wherein the control command is configured to perform an action including one or more of collecting data from the first laundry machine, programming the first laundry machine, and providing operation parameters for the first laundry machine, the microprocessor being further programmed to receive at least one response containing response data from the first laundry machine over the second network, and transmit the response data to the host computer over the first network.