Feedback for water consuming appliance

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11093554-B2
Application number	US-201715706198-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 15, 2017
Priority date	Sep 15, 2017
Publication date	Aug 17, 2021
Grant date	Aug 17, 2021

Abstract

A communication system provides feedback data for at least one water consuming device. The communication system includes a data collection interface, a controller, and an output interface. The data collection interface is configured to receive user data from at least one collection device. The controller is configured to perform an analysis of the user data from the at least one collection device. The output interface is configured to provide feedback data based on the analysis of the user data to a water consuming device.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A communication system for providing feedback data for at least one water consuming device comprising:
at least one collection device configured to capture user data corresponding to a user;
a data collection interface communicably coupled to the at least one collection device;
a controller comprising a processor and memory, wherein the controller is communicably coupled to the data collection interface and the output interface, and wherein the controller is configured to:
receive, via the data collection interface from the at least one collection device, the user data describing a biological characteristic of the user,
determine feedback data corresponding to water flow from the water device based on the biological characteristic of the user described by the user data from the at least one collection device, and
provide, via the output interface to the water consuming device, the feedback data for controlling the water flow from the water consuming device based on the user data.

2. The communication system of claim 1 , wherein the biological characteristic of the user includes a temperature, a heart rate, a height, a weight, a drowsiness, a complexion, a malnutrition, or a hydration of the user.

3. The communication system of claim 1 , wherein the water consuming device sets a water temperature, a water volume, or a water pattern in response to the feedback data.

4. The communication system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to generate a report in response to the feedback data and send the report to an external device.

5. The communication system of claim 1 , wherein the external device is configured to compile the feedback data for multiple collection devices located in multiple different locations.

6. The communication system of claim 1 , wherein the report includes at least one geographic location associated with the at least one collection device.

7. The communication system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to:
analyze water containments, illnesses, or pollution based on the user data from the at least one collection device; and
include an indication of the water containments, illnesses, or pollution in the report.

8. The communication system of claim 1 , wherein the feedback data includes an averaged preference for one or more features of the at least one collection device.

9. The communication system of claim 8 , wherein the averaged preference for the one or more features of the at least one collection device includes a temperature setting, a volume of water, a light intensity, or a light direction.

10. The communication system of claim 1 , wherein the user data from the at least one collection device is generated based on an analysis of waste from the user or waste water runoff from the user.

11. The communication system of claim 1 , wherein the feedback data includes an instruction to include a supplement to water provided by the water consuming device.

12. The communication system of claim 1 , wherein the supplement includes a vitamin, a mineral, an antibiotic, or a vaccine.

13. A communication system for providing feedback data for water consuming devices comprising:
a data collection interface configured to receive user data corresponding to a biological characteristic of the user;
an output interface communicably coupled to at least one water consuming device; and
a controller comprising a processor and memory, wherein the controller is communicably coupled to the data collection interface and the output interface, and wherein the controller is configured to:
receive, via the data collection interface, the user data corresponding to the biological characteristic of the user;
analyze the user data corresponding to the biological characteristic of the user to determine feedback data for the water consuming device; and
provide, via the output interface, the feedback data to the at least one water consuming device for modifying water flow from the at least one water consuming device based on the analysis of the user data.

14. The communication system of claim 13 , wherein the biological characteristic of the user describes a temporary condition of the user.

15. The communication system of claim 14 , wherein the temporary condition of the user includes stress, sickness, temperature, or mood of the user.

16. The communication system of claim 13 , wherein the at least one water consuming device includes a plurality of water consuming devices and the feedback data includes an averaged preference across the plurality of water consuming devices for one or more features.

17. The communication system of claim 16 , wherein the averaged preference for the one or more features includes a temperature setting, a volume of water, a light intensity, or a light direction.

18. A method for coordination of household devices, the method comprising:
receiving, at a data collection interface, sensor data from at least one first device, the sensor data describing a biological characteristic of a user;
performing, using a controller, an analysis of the sensor data, describing the biological characteristic of the user, from the at least one first device; and
generating, using the controller, feedback data based on the analysis of the sensor data;
providing the feedback data to a second device, the feedback data configured to operate a second device based on the sensor data from the at least one first device,
wherein the at least one first device or the second device is a water consuming device.

Assignees

• Kohler Co

Inventors

• Rexach Rafael
• Beining Nona
• Wilterdink Alyssa
• Booth Shawn
• Lilly Thomas E
• Diemel Jr Doug
• Petch Leslie

Classifications

• G01N33/18 Primary

  Water · CPC title

• G01F23/18

  Indicating, recording or alarm devices actuated electrically · CPC title

• G01F23/72

  using magnetically actuated indicating means · CPC title

• G01F1/66

  by measuring frequency, phase shift or propagation time of electromagnetic or other waves, e.g. using ultrasonic flowmeters · CPC title

• A61B5/165

  Evaluating the state of mind, e.g. depression, anxiety · CPC title