Systems and methods for coupling the operations of a volatile composition dispenser and a smart appliance

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017102718-A1
Application number	US-201514879112-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Oct 9, 2015
Priority date	Oct 9, 2015
Publication date	Apr 13, 2017
Grant date	—

Abstract

A system for delivering a volatile composition into the air is provided. The system includes a central communication unit capable of receiving incoming signals and sending outgoing instructions. The central communication unit is communicably connected with a memory configured to store an algorithm. The system includes a smart appliance communicably connectable with the central communication unit and configured to send incoming signals to the central communication unit alerting the central communication unit of a status of the smart appliance. The system also includes a volatile composition dispenser that is communicably connectable with the central communication through a wireless communication link. The algorithm controls the volatile composition dispenser based on incoming signals sent from the smart appliance to the central communication unit.

First claim

1 . A system for delivering a volatile composition into the air, the system comprising:
a central communication unit capable of receiving incoming signals and sending outgoing instructions, the central communication unit communicably connected with a memory configured to store an algorithm; a smart appliance communicably connectable with the central communication unit and configured to send incoming signals to the central communication unit alerting the central communication unit of a status of the smart appliance; and a volatile composition dispenser that is communicably connectable with the central communication through a wireless communication link, wherein the algorithm controls the volatile composition dispenser using incoming signals sent from the smart appliance to the central communication unit.

2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein when the smart appliance is turned on or a cycle of the smart appliance is started, the smart appliance sends an incoming signal to the central communication unit alerting the central communication unit of the status of the smart appliance, wherein the central communication unit sends outgoing instructions to the volatile composition dispenser to turn on after receiving an incoming signal from the smart appliance that the smart appliance is on or that the cycle of the smart appliance has started.

3 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the central communication unit sends an outgoing instruction to the volatile composition dispenser to turn off after a first set point occurs.

4 . The system of claim 3 , wherein the first set point occurs when the smart appliance is turned off or the cycle ends.

5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the smart appliance is turned on and off manually by the user.

6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the central communication unit instructs the smart appliance to turn on.

7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the wireless communication link is selected from the group consisting of: Wi-Fi; Bluetooth; ZigBee, 6LoWPAN, Thread, Mesh Network, or combinations thereof.

8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the volatile composition dispenser is configured with mesh network board router functionality.

9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the smart appliance is selected from the group consisting of a washing machine, dryer, dishwasher, nightlight, fan, garbage disposal, television, monitor, sprinkler system, microwave, and combinations thereof.

10 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the volatile composition dispenser is a first volatile composition dispenser and the smart appliance is a first smart appliance, wherein the first volatile composition dispenser comprises a first volatile composition, the system further comprising a second volatile composition dispenser comprising a second volatile composition, wherein the first volatile composition is delivered into the air after a first smart appliance is turned on, wherein the second volatile composition is delivered into the air after a second smart appliance is turned on.

11 . A method of delivering a volatile composition to at least one room with a volatile composition dispenser based on the status of a smart appliance within the same building, wherein the smart appliance and the volatile composition dispenser are each communicably connectable with a central communication unit through a wireless communication link, the method comprising the steps of:
(a) turning on the smart appliance or starting a cycle on the smart appliance; (b) sending a first incoming signal to the central communication unit that alerts the central communication unit that the smart appliance is on or that the cycle has started; (c) sending a first outgoing instruction from the central communication unit to the volatile composition dispenser to turn on the volatile composition dispenser after the central communication unit receives the first incoming signal; (d) sending a second outgoing instruction from volatile composition dispenser freshening device after a set point is reached; and (e) optionally repeating steps (a) through (d).

12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the set point occurs when the smart appliance is turned off or the cycle ends.

13 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the set point occurs a predetermined time after the smart appliance is turned off or the cycle ends.

14 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the set point occurs after a predetermined period of time.

15 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the smart appliance and the volatile composition dispenser are disposed in the same room.

16 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the smart appliance and the volatile composition dispenser are disposed in different rooms.

17 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the wireless communication link is selected from the group consisting of: Wi-Fi; Bluetooth; ZigBee, 6LoWPAN, Thread, Mesh Network; or combinations thereof.

18 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the central communication unit is communicably connectable with a computer or smart device.

19 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the smart appliance is turned on manually by the user.

20 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the smart appliance is selected from the group consisting of a washing machine, dryer, dishwasher, nightlight, fan, garbage disposal, television, monitor, sprinkler system, microwave, and combinations thereof.

21 .- 35 . (canceled)

Assignees

• Procter & Gamble

Inventors

• Hasenoehrl Erik John

Classifications

• A61L2209/132

  Piezo or ultrasonic elements for dispensing · CPC title

• H04L12/283 Primary

  Processing of data at an internetworking point of a home automation network · CPC title

• A61L2209/11

  Apparatus for controlling air treatment · CPC title

• H04W4/80

  Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication · CPC title

• G05B15/02

  electric · CPC title