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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to the field of condition
responsive indicating systems, and more specifically, to a system for
interactively indicating the status of a plurality of electrical
appliances such as laundry washing and drying machines.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In multiple unit living quarters, such as condominiums and apartment
complexes using a common utility facility, it is valuable for occupants of
the individual condominiums, apartments, and dormitories to be aware of
the availability and status of the commonly shared laundry appliances.
Many different techniques for monitoring the status of appliances, such as
laundry appliances and cooking appliances, are known. The appliances can
be monitored at a remote location and, in some cases, can be controlled
from the remote location. Systems are also known for transmitting the
status or control signals between the appliances and the status or control
by radio frequency or by signals along the power mains.
One problem in monitoring the status of appliances arises from the need to
have multiple and relatively complex sensing means associated or fitted
with the appliance. Another problem concerns the present inability of
conventional monitoring schemes to allow substantial interactive
communication and control capabilities with the remotely located
appliances.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,916,439, entitled "REMOTE DISPLAY ARRANGEMENT FOR
APPLIANCES", issued Apr. 10, 1990 to Bay Estes et al., discloses a sensor
for sensing the operational status of a laundry appliance, such as a
washing machine or dryer, and transmitting the status to a receiver in the
form of a modified wristwatch via radio waves. This arrangement links only
one appliance to one receiver, and does not enable the user to
interactively control the appliance.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,089,809, entitled "REMOTE INDICATION OF APPLIANCE STATUS",
issued Feb. 18, 1992 to Raymond Carmichael, Jr., discloses an arrangement
of sensors for sensing the operational status of a plurality of laundry
appliances, and broadcasting the status to a plurality of receivers in
parallel. This arrangement similarly lacks interactive control
capabilities.
There is a need to provide for this interactive capability and convenience,
and the present invention seeks to fulfill that need.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In a condition responsive indicating system for interactively indicating
the status of a plurality of electrical appliances embodying the present
invention, the operating status of a plurality of laundry appliances,
including washing machines and driers, is sensed, and a controller
generates and transmits corresponding status signals to remote
transceivers which include visual and/or audio indicators for indicating
the information.
Each transceiver can interrogate the controller to determine the status of
the appliances, with the status being transmitted preferably only to the
interrogating transmitter. Each transceiver can also transmit a
reservation signal to the controller to reserve a selected appliance for a
predetermined period of time.
The controller also transmits status signals for the selected appliances
preferably only to the transceiver of the user who reserved the appliance,
when the operating cycle is finished, or at a predetermined period of time
prior to the end of the operating cycle. The transceivers can communicate
with the controller over a telephone line, or over A.C. power lines.
According to the invention, there is provided a system apparatus and method
for remotely indicating the status of multiple appliances or units grouped
in at least one area or multiple areas to multiple discrete different
receiving remote locations. The appliances or units are connected to a
power supply and each appliance or unit is in associated proximity to each
other and is contained in a first location. The receiving locations are
preferably connected through the power lines or by a telephone system
through a controller with the first location. Although the system is
described with reference to appliances in the nature of laundry
appliances, the scope of the application of the system extends broadly to
other power consuming units.
Detection means electrically connected to the appliances detects the status
of the appliances and generates representative status signals. Encoding
means electrically connects the detection means for receiving the status
signals and encodes the signals for transmission. The detection means for
multiple appliances is collectively centrally set up in a unitary
structure which senses current to each of the appliances. Preferably, the
unitary structure is in the wall outlet socket for connecting power to the
appliances.
In one preferred form of the invention, a system for remotely sensing
multiple variable power consuming devices comprises means responsive to
the status condition of each device. The status is determined selectively
by a measure of an operational signal parameter applicable to each
variable device.
A controller receives the operational signal parameter, the controller
having means for communication with the multiple remote transceiver means.
Multiple transceiver means are capable of communicating data between the
transceiver means and the controller. The status of at least one power
consuming device can thus be transmitted to the transceiver.
In another embodiment of the invention, transmission means electrically
connected to the signal encoding means modulates and transmits the encoded
signals over power lines connected to the alternating current power
supply. The receiving means receives and demodulates the transmitted
signals received over the alternating current power lines so as to
indicate the status of selected appliances at selected receiving
locations. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the encoded
signals are transmitted over telephone lines.
There are means for associating selected appliances with selected receiving
locations thereby to indicate the status of selected appliances to
selected receiving locations. Selected appliances may be located in one or
more common utility rooms for multiple living quarters, which may be
condominiums, apartments, flats, townhouses or dormitories, for example.
Also, in a preferred form of the invention, selected receiving locations
can signal selected appliances at the first location whereby selected
receiving locations are linked with selected appliances for a
predetermined time period. Means are provided at the first location to
confirm the link. In this manner, the receiving means include means for
transmitting a signal to the transmitting means, and the transmitting
means includes means for receiving the signal. Such signal is communicated
along the power lines or the telephone lines.
The invention is now further described with reference to the accompanying
drawings and description. Further aspects of the invention will be
apparent from the drawings and description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective illustration indicating a first
location and a second location, and the main component elements in the
first location and the receiving locations;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the main components of the means for
transmitting the outgoing signal from the first location;
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustration of the receiving means at the
receiving location receiving the transmitted signal;
FIG. 4 is a more detailed circuit schematic illustrating the implementation
circuitry for the block diagram of FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is a more detailed circuit schematic illustrating the implementation
circuitry for the block diagram of FIG. 3;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating four appliances connected to a
power outlet, and in turn to a controller connected to a power source and
a telephone jack;
FIG. 7 is a simplified diagrammatic illustration of the relationship of the
controller with appliances, sensors, and transceivers;
FIG. 8 is a schematic illustrating the main components of the controller
with a single slave operational with the master, the slave being connected
preferably with 24 sensors and being operational through a keypad and
having an interactive display;
FIGS. 9a and 9b are electrical schematics of two sensor circuits connected
respectively with a laundry appliance outlet on the left hand side and
providing an output signal respectively on the right hand side;
FIG. 10 is a schematic of a comparator circuit operable in response to the
output from the sensor circuit. Preferably, there are 24 such comparators,
each responsive to a different sensed appliance, and FIG. 10 represents
two such comparators;
FIG. 11 is a schematic of an analog-to-digital converter representing input
for eight analog signals. Preferably, three such converters are applicable
to receive 24 analog signals which are then outputted along a common bus
to the central processing unit;
FIG. 12a is a chip to effect a multiplexing function. Preferably, twelve of
such units effect a multiplexing function;
FIGS. 12b and 12c are part of the dip switch configuration, FIG. 12b being
the dip switch and FIG. 12c being a chip operational in conjunction with
the dip switch and the multiplexer units, the switch and multiplexer
acting to transmit information to the central processing unit to configure
itself;
FIG. 13 is a schematic illustrating the central processing unit in
cooperation with the memory and display interface;
FIG. 14 is a schematic illustrating two chips for controlling the central
processing unit;
FIG. 15 is a schematic illustrating the communication port and telephone
connector;
FIG. 16 is a schematic illustrating the telephone interface and the DTMF
transceiver;
FIG. 17 is a schematic illustrating the voice synthesizer for inputting
voice to the telephone interface;
FIG. 18 is the schematic of the telephone interface showing the storage for
voice data;
FIG. 19 is an electrical schematic of a preferred current transformer which
is used to monitor current draw induced by operation of appliances;
FIG. 20 is an electrical schematic of an alternative preferred controller
including a reservation unit;
FIG. 21 is an electrical schematic of interface circuitry between the
controller and a telephone line;
FIG. 22 is an electrical schematic of an alternative speech synthesis chip;
FIG. 23 is a flow chart of a washer/dryer usage monitor routine;
FIG. 24 is a flow chart of a call processing routine;
FIG. 25 is a flow chart of a reservation/status check routine;
FIG. 26 is a flow chart of a reserve washer/dryer subroutine;
FIG. 27 is a flow chart of an electronic prepayment subroutine;
FIG. 28 is a flow chart of a status check subroutine;
FIG. 29 is a flow chart of a call back option subroutine;
FIG. 30 is a flow chart of a reprogramming routine;
FIG. 31 is a flow chart of a reserved appliance monitoring routine; and
FIGS. 32A, 32B, 32C are a flow chart of a call back request processing
routine.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
A system which includes an apparatus and a method for indicating the status
of laundry appliances, generally indicated by 10, is located in a first
location 11. The appliances 10 are preferably washers 12, 13 and 14, and
dryers 15, 16 and 17. The appliances are associated in proximity to each
other and are contained in the first location 11. The appliances are
connected to an alternating current power supply collectively indicated by
the cable system 18, the outlet being indicated by plate 19. Current
sensors are located in plate 19. Each outlet 20, 21 and 22 are associated
with a respective washer, and outlets 23, 24 and 25 are associated with a
respective dryer. The washers are preferably connected as follows: washer
12 to outlet 20, washer 13 to outlet 21, and washer 14 to outlet 22. The
dryers are preferably connected as follows: dryer 15 to outlet 23, dryer
16 to outlet 24, and dryer 17 to outlet 25.
Also, in the first location 11, there is located a programmable outgoing
signal unit 26 which includes detection means electrically connected to
appliances 12 through 17 for detecting the status of the appliances 12
through 17 and generating respective status signals. The detection means
includes a current sensor responsive to current for each of appliances 12
through 17. The current sensors are integrally contained and constructed
together with other transmitter elements so as to be mounted together with
outlet plate 19. The programmable outgoing signal unit 26 also includes
means for encoding signals for subsequent transmission on the AC power
lines 27 connected with the outlet at plate 19. The encoding means is
electrically connected to the detection means and encodes the status
signal for transmission along the AC power line 27.
At a discrete receiving location, such as a condominium complex 28, there
are receiving means connected in each of the living units 29, 30, 31, 32
and 33 which are illustrated diagrammatically. In the condominium complex
28, the first location 11 is indicated as a laundry or utility room 11 and
is not diagrammatically illustrated within the receiving location 34.
Inside the unit 33, for example, there is a receiving signal box 35 which
includes means for receiving and demodulating transmitted signals received
through power line 27. The receiver means includes decoder means for
decoding the encoding signals and means by which associated selected
appliances 12 through 17 can be connected with each of the respective
receiving locations 29, 30, 31, 32 or 33 as indicated. In this manner,
each of these respective receiving locations 29 through 33 can be alerted
to the status of respective appliances 12 through 17 in a common utility
or laundry room 11 in the condominium complex 28.
In different cases, there can be a common utility room 11 separated from
the complex 28. Alternatively, there can be multiple utility rooms 11 for
a group of living quarters. Further, the system can provide selectivity to
connect different utility rooms with different selected living quarters.
The programmable outgoing signal box 26 in the common utility room 11 has
means for connecting, for example, washer 12 with condominium 33. A window
36 in the programmable outgoing signal box 26 indicates washer 12, and
window 37 indicates condominium 33. A keyboard 38, illustrated on the face
of the box 26, is a means for indicating or connecting a particular
appliance with a condominium. A washer key button 39 can be operated to
connect a suitable washer, and a dryer key button 52 can be operated to
connect a suitable dryer. Other operative buttons include the start button
40, clear button 41, unit button 42 and set button 43.
The box 26 is connected to the wall outlet 19 as indicated by line 44. The
various appliances are connected by the outlet 19 as indicated by sockets
20 through 25, and the detection means inside box 19 can indicate, through
the current being drawn on the respective outlets, the status of each one
of the appliances 12 through 17 which is transmitted to the box 26. The
transmission from box 26 is effected along the power supply cable 27 to
the receiving box 35, located for example, in condominium 33.
The receiving box 35 includes a visual display 45, which may be a light,
for example, for indicating the status of the linked washer 12.
Selectively, an audible outlet 46, which may be controlled by a chime,
gong or voice chip, can be provided in the outlet box 35. A volume control
switch 47 may also be provided. Means for resetting the system may be
effected through box 35 as indicated by button 48. A button 49, a window
50 (LCD, LED, or plasma screen) and a switch 51 may also be included on
box 35. The user, prior to proceeding to the laundry area, can actuate
switch 51 to select the laundry area 11. The user may then press button 49
and in window 50 will be displayed the availability of appliances in the
selected area, preferably in the form of a visual message. For example,
the user may see the message "2 washers and 2 driers available" or "All
machines currently in use." Alternatively, appliance status information
may be broadcasted to the user. If the user finds that the selected area
11 is unavailable, the user can then actuate switch 51 to select another
location to check the availability of appliances in that area. The user
may also be presented with the remaining elapsed time for a selected
appliance via display 53.
The communication along the power cables 27 is effected by selective
modulation means which could be amplitude modulation, frequency modulation
or phase modulation. In other cases, the system may communicate through
radio frequency modulation instead of an AC power supply system. A
suitable transmission wavelength can be selected.
The receiver box 35 is connected to the AC power outlet in the receiving
location, such as condominium 33. This connection can be effected through
a plug and socket system or the receiver can be wired into place. By
providing multiple receiver boxes 35 to each of the respective receiving
locations 29 through 33, the present invention provides an easy way of
communicating between the utility room 11 and the respective condominium
units. The preferred system for modulating the signal on the power lines
27 is a frequency modulated system based on a Frequency Shift Keyed (FSK)
format.
The transmission means operates in a broadcast mode sending digital data
over a power line to receivers 35 attached to the same power line. The
range of operation is expected to be localized to all outlets connected
within the same power transformer circuit. Within the transmitter unit 26,
there is provided a current sensor which converts an operational
parameter, preferably a current, indicative of the state (on or off) of
the appliances, 12 through 17, into a digital signal. Parallel digital
data, preferably organized as a packet of seven or eight bits, is
multiplexed into serial form which modulates a sine wave in accordance to
the FSK format. This signal is converted into a form of a current by
amplifiers, and transmitted through the power lines 27. Appropriate
impedance matching is effected between the output of box 26 and the input
to the power lines 27.
The receiver box 35 includes a high pass and a band pass filter network to
maximize the energy of the received signal transmitted along the power
supply lines 27. As such, the band noise is effectively minimized. A
phase-locked-loop receiver is used to demodulate the FSK signal into
serial data. The serial data is demultiplexed back into parallel data
representative of each one of the appliances. A Universal Asynchronous
Receiver Transmitter circuit (UART) is used in effecting the conversion.
Each of the signal boxes is also provided with a receiver whereby signals
can be received along the AC power lines when transmitted from respective
boxes 35. In this embodiment, the units 35 would be provided with a
suitable input keyboard similar to that provided in the box 26, and the
signal would be transmitted from box 35 and returned to box 26 in a manner
similar to the signals that are transmitted from box 26 to 35. In other
words, the transmission system in unit 35 would essentially be parallel to
the transmission system in unit 26. In unit 26, the receiving system would
essentially be parallel to the receiving system in box 35. The receiver in
box 26, however, would be designed to link selected washer and dryer units
with a selected condominium. In this manner, a select condominium 33, for
instance, can reserve for a predetermined time period, a washer and dryer.
Accordingly, an occupant from the condominium can then have a
predetermined time, such as five or ten minutes, to go from a condominium
to the utility room and activate the washer and dryer. When such washer
and dryer is activated, the unit 26 will transmit appliance status
information to unit 35.
The details of the circuitry as illustrated in FIGS. 2 through 5 are now
described. An FSK communication system includes a set of devices that
communicate over the residential power line 27. There is illustrated in
FIGS. 2 and 4 a transmitter operating in a broadcast mode sending digital
data over a power line 27 to a plurality of receivers, as illustrated in
FIGS. 3 and 5, coupled to the same power line 27. The range of operation
is localized to all outlets 19 within the same power transformer circuit.
With additional circuitry, such as carrier detect or microprocessor based
arbitration circuitry, multiple transmitters on the same power line
circuit can be supported.
A description of the system block diagrams of the transmitter and the
receiver and detailed circuit schematics is further provided. Shown
respectively in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4 are block diagrams of the transmitter
and its circuit implementation. Current sensors 100 monitor the on/off
state of respective appliances 12 to 17. Each appliance is respectively
connected through cable system 18 to a respective current sensor 100. The
power for each sensor 100 is obtained through extension cords 101 provided
in a power box 202 which is adapted to contain current sensors 100. The
extension cords are connected with wall outlet 20 through 25,
respectively, to which associated appliances 12 through 17 are connected.
The current sensors 100 sense the presence of a current in a washing
machine or dryer 12 to 17 and convert the sensed current into a digital
signal which is transmitted along lines 102. The threshold swing level is
adjustable. Other types of sensors 100 can output a voltage signal
proportional to the actual current. Alternatively, audio or vibrational
sensors may be employed which sense the operational status of an
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