Method for Monitoring Washing Machine Usage

The present disclosure relates generally to washing machine usage and more specifically to a method for monitoring the usage of washing machines at a plurality of facilities.

Conventional methods are available for monitoring washing machine usage. Such conventional methods include technical models which are used to track and evaluate washing machine usage. Additionally, other conventional methods are available that are used for tracking the usage of an individual washing machine.

The discussion of shortcomings and needs existing in the field prior to the present disclosure is in no way an admission that such shortcomings and needs were recognized by those skilled in the art prior to the present disclosure.

The inventors of the present invention recognized various drawbacks with conventional methods used to track and monitor washing machine usage. For example, the inventors recognized that the technical models of such conventional methods are limited in their ability to determine optimal washing machine usage for comparison with actual washing machine usage. The inventors realized that an improved method would collect usage data from a population of washing machines to determine a model for optimal washing machine usage. This improved model of optimal washing machine usage would then provide more effective monitoring of one or more washing machines.

The inventors of the present invention also recognized that conventional methods for monitoring washing machine usage only monitor the usage of an individual washing machine. The inventors developed the improved method herein that can be used to simultaneously monitor a plurality of washing machines, such as a plurality of washing machines each located at a plurality of similar facilities.

Various aspects of the disclosure solve the above-mentioned problems and provide methods and devices useful for simultaneously monitoring usage of one or more washing machines each located at a plurality of facilities based on a model that combines usage data from a plurality of washing machines.

In one example, a method is provided for monitoring an operation of a plurality of washing machines that is each located at a plurality of facilities. The method includes receiving, at a processor, first data indicating a value of one or more parameters related to usage of the plurality of washing machines at each facility of the plurality of facilities. The method also includes determining, with the processor, a value of a normalized parameter for the usage of the plurality of washing machines at each facility based on the first data. The method also includes comparing, with the processor, the value of the normalized parameter for each facility with a target value of the normalized parameter. The method also includes outputting, on a display, an output based on the comparing step.

In another example, a method is provided for monitoring an operation of a plurality of washing machines each located at a plurality of facilities. The method includes receiving, at a processor, first data indicating one or more characteristics of each facility of the plurality of facilities. The method also includes receiving, at the processor, second data indicating one or more characteristics of the plurality of washing machines at each facility of the plurality of facilities. The method also includes receiving, at the processor, third data indicating a value of one or more parameters related to usage of the plurality of washing machines at each facility of the plurality of facilities. The method also includes determining, with the processor, a value of a normalized parameter for the usage of the plurality of washing machines at each facility based on the third data. The method also includes comparing, with the processor, the value of the normalized parameter for each facility with a target value of the normalized parameter. The method also includes outputting, on a display, fourth data based on the comparing step.

In yet another example, a method is provided for monitoring an operation of a plurality of washing machines each located at a plurality of facilities. The method includes providing, for each of the plurality of washing machines at each facility, a composition delivery system in fluid communication with each washing machine, where the composition delivery system and each washing machine are separate. The method also includes receiving, at a processor, first data from each composition delivery system in fluid communication with each of the plurality of washing machines at each facility. The first data indicates a value of one or more parameters related to usage of the plurality of washing machines at each facility of the plurality of facilities. The method also includes determining, with the processor, a value of a normalized parameter for the usage of the plurality of washing machines at each facility based on the first data. The method also includes comparing, with the processor, the value of the normalized parameter for each facility with a target value of the normalized parameter. The method also includes outputting, on a display, an output based on the comparing step.

These and other features, aspects, and advantages will become better understood with reference to the following description, figures, and claims.

It should be understood that the various examples of the methods of the present disclosure are not limited to that which is illustrated in the figures.

This disclosure is written to describe the invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art, who will understand that this disclosure is not limited to the specific examples or aspects described. The examples and aspects are single instances of the invention which will make a much larger scope apparent to the person having ordinary skill in the art. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by the person having ordinary skill in the art. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing examples and aspects only, and is not intended to be limiting, since the scope of the present disclosure will be limited only by the appended claims.

All the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent, or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features. The examples and aspects described herein are for illustrative purposes only and that various modifications or changes in light thereof will be suggested to the person having ordinary skill in the art and are to be included within the spirit and purview of this application. Many variations and modifications may be made to the aspects of the disclosure without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the disclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure. For example, unless otherwise indicated, the present disclosure is not limited to particular materials, reagents, reaction materials, manufacturing processes, or the like, as such can vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for purposes of describing particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting. It is also possible in the present disclosure that steps can be executed in different sequence where this is logically possible.

All numeric values are herein assumed to be modified by the term “about,” whether or not explicitly indicated. The term “about” generally refers to a range of numbers that one of skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited value (for example, having the same function or result). In many instances, the term “about” may include numbers that are rounded to the nearest significant figure.

In everyday usage, indefinite articles (like “a” or “an”) precede countable nouns and noncountable nouns almost never take indefinite articles. It must be noted, therefore, that, as used in this specification and in the claims that follow, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a support” includes a plurality of supports. Particularly when a single countable noun is listed as an element in a claim, this specification will generally use a phrase such as “a single.” For example, “a single support.”

Unless otherwise specified, all percentages indicating the amount of a component in a composition represent a percent by weight of the component based on the total weight of the composition. The term “mol percent” or “mole percent” generally refers to the percentage that the moles of a particular component are of the total moles that are in a mixture. The sum of the mole fractions for each component in a solution is equal to 1.

Where a range of values is provided, it is understood that each intervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit (unless the context clearly dictates otherwise), between the upper and lower limit of that range, and any other stated or intervening value in that stated range, is encompassed within the disclosure. The upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges may independently be included in the smaller ranges and are also encompassed within the disclosure, subject to any specifically excluded limit in the stated range. Where the stated range includes one or both of the limits, ranges excluding either or both of those included limits are also included in the disclosure.

In this specification and in the claims that follow, reference will be made to a number of terms that shall be defined to have the following meanings unless a contrary intention is apparent.

“Washing machine” refers to an appliance comprising a receptacle, e.g., a drum, into which items which are desired to be laundered are placed. In accordance with one or more preprogrammed cycles, the receptacle is filled with water to at least some extent and the receptacle, or portion thereof, is rotated and/or agitated to clean the items within the receptacle.

It is worth noting that the method of the present disclosure can be utilized with appliances that are used to dry items from the washing machine.

“Composition delivery system” refers to a device which can be discrete or integrated with a washing machine which includes one or more containers to respectively hold one or more different chemical compositions, e.g., detergents, bleach, fabric softener, hueing dyes, enzymes, whiteness additives, anti-microbial, scent boosters, degreasers, pre-treatment compositions, and the like, which collectively can be used to launder textiles, e.g., bed sheets, pillowcases, blankets, towels, hospital gowns, and the like, such that a volume of one or more compositions can be supplied by a pump along a conduit to one or more washing machines at one or more phases of a cycle of the one or more washing machines. Composition delivery systems of the present disclosure preferably comprise a pump.

“Facility” refers to an institution or business that utilizes one or more washing machines to clean laundry for one or more residents who reside at each institution or business including but not limited to a hospital, a nursing home, a prison, hotels, motels, event centers, assisted living facilities, and the like, (excluding a private residence).

is a block diagram that illustrates an example of a plurality of facilities and a systemfor monitoring washing machine usage at the plurality of facilities. A controlleris provided with a memoryfor storing data thereon and a washing machine facility monitoring modulethat includes a set of one or more instructions that cause the controllerto perform one or more steps of the method, such as the methodof the flowchart depicted in. The processor or controllercan be any computer or computer system (e.g. standard computer, cloud, or a mobile device such as a smartphone or table, etc.) appreciated by one skilled in the art. In one example aspects, the controlleris a computer system as described below with reference to. It is worth noting that the one controller may be provided for each facility and comprise a washing machine monitoring module for each machine at a particular facility.

A method step is now discussed where the controllerselects which facilities to monitor washing machine usage. This method step involves the controllerselecting a groupof the facilities shown inbased on certain selection criteria (e.g. same facility type). In this method step, the controllerreceives data from each of the facilities,that indicate one or more characteristics of each facility,. In one example, the controlleris communicatively coupled with a data controller or processor at each facility,and receives signals from the data controller or processor at each facility,that indicate the one or more characteristics of each facility,. In an example, the one or more characteristics of each facility,include but are not limited to an identifier for each facility (e.g. number identifier), a name of each facility, a type of each facility (e.g. hospital, nursing home, prison, etc.), geographical information (e.g. postcode, city, country, etc.) and a number of residents at each facility. Table 1 below depicts an example of one or more characteristics of each facility,communicated to the controller.

As shown in, the controllercan receive data from the facilitiesthroughthat indicate a first characteristic (e.g. first facility type, such as hospital) and received data from the facilitiesandthat indicate a second characteristic (e.g. second facility type, such as prison). In this example, the controllerselects the groupof the facilitiesthroughto monitor washing machine usage, since they share a same characteristic (e.g. hospital facility type). The inventors recognized that since facilities having a same characteristic (e.g. same facility type) will typically use similar laundry with their residents, they will have similar washing machine usage (e.g. similar cycles run by the washing machines). Thus, the inventors of the present invention recognized that it would be advantageous that the method first select a group of facilities that share common characteristics since such facilities are reasonably expected to have similar washing machine usage for their residents.

After selecting the groupof facilities at which to monitor the washing machine usage, the method receives data regarding the washing machines at each facility in the selected group.is a block diagram that illustrates an example of a plurality of washing machinesthroughat one of the facilitiesin the groupof.is a block diagram that illustrates an example of a plurality of washing machinesandat another of the facilitiesin the groupof. As shown in, the facilities,within the groupcan have a different number of washing machines and still have their usage monitored by the method disclosed herein. Similarly, the washing machines at each facilitycan have different capacity and still have their usage monitored by the method disclosed herein. This was achieved by the inventors realizing that facilities having different number of washing machines could have their usage monitored by using a normalized parameter to measure usage which is independent of the total machine load of a facility (e.g. % of each cycle that is run by the machines, amount of detergent/composition or energy or water used per cycle, amount of detergent/composition or energy or water used per pound of laundry, etc.).

As shown in, each washing machineat each facilitycan have a composition delivery systemthat is separate from the washing machineand connected to the washing machineby a conduitthat supplies chemical composition from the composition delivery systemto the washing machine. However, the method disclosed herein can still monitor washing machinesat the one or more facilitieswithout the composition delivery systemattached to each washing machine. For example, the methods of the present disclosure can be utilized where detergents and/or other laundry compositions are provided to the one or more washing machines manually.

The controllerreceives data that indicates one or more characteristics of the washing machines at each facility among the groupof facilities. In an example, the one or more characteristics of the washing machines include but are not limited to an identifier of the facilitywhere the washing machine is used, an identifier for the washing machine, a model of the washing machine, a brand of the washing machine, a capacity of the washing machineand a number of washing machinesat the facility. Table 2 below depicts an example of the different washing machine characteristics received by the controller.

The controllercan use the received one or more characteristics of the washing machines at each facility to further select which facilities are to have their washing machine usage monitored. For example, if the number of washing machines at a facility is not greater than a threshold number (e.g. 2), then the facility may be excluded from the group of facilities whose washing machine usage is monitored.

The controllercan next receive data that indicates one or more characteristics of the usage of the washing machinesat each facilityin the group. This usage data can include a start time and a finish time over which the usage data was recorded.is a block diagram that illustrates an example of the washing machineat each facilityand the composition delivery systemin fluid communication with each washing machine. The controllermay be communicatively coupled with a processorof each composition delivery systemand/or a processorof each washing machineand can receive the data indicating the one or more characteristics of the usage from the processorof the composition delivery systemand/or the processorof the washing machine.

Any suitable communication protocol may be utilized between the controllerand processorand/or processor. Some examples, include advanced message queuing protocol, constrained application protocol, data distribution service, extensible messaging and presence protocol, lightweight machine to machine, Zigbee, LoRaWAN, cellular, MQTT, near field communication, infrared, Wifi, Bluetooth, wired connections and the like.

The one or more characteristics of the usage of the washing machinecan include but are not limited to the identifier of the facility, the identifier of the washing machine, and other characteristics of the usage from the composition delivery systemincluding but not limited to a start date/time for the usage data, a finish date/time of the usage data, a name of a cycle, a number of each cycle run between the start and finish date/time, a name of a chemical composition supplied by the composition delivery system, an amount of each chemical composition supplied by the composition delivery systemand consumed between the start and finish date/time, a volume of water consumed between the start and finish date/time and an amount of energy consumed between the start and finish date/time, such as electrical power, consumed between the start and finish date/time. Table 3 below depicts one example of the characteristics of the usage data.

The operation of the composition delivery systemin conjunction with the washing machineis now discussed herein. As shown in, the composition delivery systemcan include a pumpand a plurality of containersthroughto respectively hold a plurality of chemical compositions. As appreciated by one skilled in the art, a washing cycle typically involves a plurality of phases (e.g. pre-wash, main wash, rinse, spin, etc.) during which a different volume and/or type of chemical composition may be used in the washing machine. During operation, the processorof the composition delivery systemreceives a signal from the processorof the washing machinethat indicates a next phase of the washing cycle. The processorof the composition delivery systemcan transmit a signal to the pumpto cause the pumpto move a predetermined volume of one of the chemical compositions in one of the respective containersthroughthrough the conduitto the washing machine. This can be repeated for each phase of the washing cycle, so that the composition delivery systemtransmits a predetermined volume of one or more chemical compositions to the washing machinefor each phase of the washing cycle. To facilitate the operation, the processorof the composition delivery systemcan have a memory (not shown) which stores the predetermined volume and type of chemical compositions that are to be transferred to the washing machineat each phase of each cycle. As further shown in, the composition delivery systemmay include a displaywhich may be used to output data depending on the outcome of the method herein (e.g. suggestive corrective actions based on the monitoring of the washing machine usage).

The processorof each composition delivery systemcan transmit the data to the controllerthat indicates the one or more characteristics of each washing machineusage. In such configurations, the processorreceives this data based on the signals received from the processorof the washing machinethat indicate the type of cycle and the number of each cycle performed by the washing machineover time. Similarly, the processorof each washing machinecan transmit data indicating one or more other characteristics of each washing machine usage (e.g. amount of water consumed over the time period, amount of energy consumed over the time period, etc.). The memoryof the processorof the washing machineand/or the memoryof the controllercan be preprogrammed with predetermined data for each preprogrammed cycle (e.g., predetermined amount of water, predetermined amount of chemical compositions and predetermined amount of energy consumed by the washing machine). Thus, in an example, the controllercan determine each of the amount of water, the amount and type of composition and/or the amount of energy consumed by the washing machineover the time period using this stored data coupled with the cycle data (e.g. number of each cycle performed over the time period) provided by the composition delivery system.

It is worth noting that a single composition delivery systemmay be utilized to supply chemical composition to a plurality of washing machines. For example, the composition delivery systemmay be connected to a manifold which has a plurality of conduits which go to a plurality of washing machines. In such configurations, it may be beneficial to have in line flow meters installed in each of the conduits such that information regarding the amount of chemical composition supplied can be obtained and analyzed as described herein.

As further shown in, the washing machinefeatures a hot water conduitthat is connected with a hot water source/drainin order to receive hot water through the conduitfrom the sourceand/or discharge used water through the conduitto the drain. The washing machinesimilarly features a cold water conduitthat is connected with a cold water source/drainin order to receive cold water through the conduitfrom the sourceand/or discharge used water through the conduitto the drain. The washing machineis also electrically coupled with the power source(e.g. electrical power source).

A flowchart that shows one or more steps of the method will now be discussed herein.is a flow chart that illustrates an example of a methodfor monitoring washing machineusage at a plurality of facilities. Although the flow diagram ofis depicted as integral steps in a particular order for purposes of illustration, one or more steps, or portions thereof, may be performed in a different order, or overlapping in time, in series or in parallel, or are deleted, or one or more other steps are added, or the method is changed in some combination of ways.

In step, one or more washing machines are provided at each facility among a plurality of facilities,. As shown, in stepa separate composition delivery systemis connected in fluid communication with each washing machine. In stepthe separate composition delivery systemcan be connected with each washing machineby the chemical composition conduitsuch that a predetermined volume of a predetermined type of chemical composition is provided to the washing machinealong the conduitat one or more phases of a preprogrammed cycle.

In step, first data is received at the controllerfrom the plurality of facilities,that indicate one or more characteristics of each facility,. For example, in stepthe controllercan receive data indicating a type of each facility,. In an example, in stepthe controllerselects the groupof facilitiesthroughfrom among the plurality of facilities,based on the selected group of facilitiesthroughhaving a common characteristic (e.g., same facility type, such as hospital).

In step, second data is received at the controllerfrom each facilityin the selected groupthat indicates one or more characteristics of the washing machinesat each facility. In an example, in stepthe controllercan select the groupof facilitiesthroughbased on the selected group of facilities having a common characteristic of the washing machines at each facility (e.g., greater than a threshold number).

In step, third data is received at the controllerthat indicates a value of one or more parameters related to usage of the washing machinesat each facilityin the selected groupover a time period. For example, in stepthe data can be received at the controllerfrom each composition delivery systemof each washing machinefor each facility. In this example, the data provided by each composition delivery systemcan provide usage parameter values including but not limited to a start date, a finish date, a type of each cycle run by the washing machine, a number of each cycle type run by the washing machinebetween the start and finish dates, a type of each chemical composition consumed by the washing machineand an amount or volume of each chemical composition consumed by the washing machinebetween the start and finish dates. The controllercan use stored data in the memoryof preprogrammed data (e.g., preprogrammed amount of water, composition and/or energy consumed for each preprogrammed cycle) coupled with the type and number of each cycle to determine an amount of water, an amount of composition and/or an amount of energy consumed by each washing machinebetween the start and finish dates. In other aspects, in stepthe controllerreceives data from the processorof each washing machineof each facility. In this example, the data received at the controllerfrom each washing machinecan provide usage parameter values including but not limited to an amount of water, an amount and type of each chemical composition and an amount of energy consumed between the start and finish dates.

Table 4 below indicates an example of various parameter values of the third data received at the controllerin step. The Account ID is an identifier for the facility, the washing machine ID is an identifier for each washing machineat each facility, the “report from” date is the start date, the “report to” date is the finish date, the cycle name is the type of each cycle and the number cycles is the number of each cycle type run by the washing machinesat the facilityover the predetermined time period (between the “report from” and the “report to” dates).

Thus, for example, Table 4 above indicates that the facilitywith Account ID 17593 has two washing machineswith Washing Machine IDand. Those washing machinesrun six different cycles (Table Linen, Delicates, Red Bags, Bedding/Towels, Clothes normal and Mops/Kylies/Cloths).

A normalized parameter for washing machine usage is now introduced, which is used to assess washing machine usage at each facility. As previously discussed herein, the selected groupof facilitieswhose washing machine usage is monitored may have different features, such as a different number of washing machines () and/or a same number of washing machines but where some of the washing machines have a different capacity or load. Thus, the inventors of the present invention recognized that in order to properly compare the washing machine usage of the facilities to each other and/or to a target usage, a normalized parameter for washing machine usage was developed. The inventors developed this normalized parameter for washing machine usage so that facilities with different washing machine load capacity (e.g. different number of washing machines and/or a same number of washing machines with different capacities, etc.) could have their washing machine usage fairly compared with each other and/or to a target usage. The normalized parameter for washing machine usage is independent of the load capacity of a facility (e.g., sum of the loads of each washing machine at the facility).

A first normalized parameter is now discussed that is based on a ratio of a number of each cycle run at the facilityto a total number of all cycles run at the facility. In step, a value of a normalized parameter is determined for each facilitythroughbased on the third data received in step. The normalized parameter can be determined based on the number of each cycle run by the washing machinesat each facilityand a total number of all cycles run by the washing machinesat each facility over a predetermined time period (e.g. between the start and finish dates of the third data). In an example, the normalized parameter can be determined based on a ratio of the number of each cycle run by the washing machinesat each facilityover the predetermined time period to the total number of all cycles run by the washing machinesat each facility. In one example, the ratio is a percentage value of the number of each cycle run by the washing machinesat each facilityto the total number of all cycles run by the washing machinesat each facilityover the predetermined time period. Table 5 below indicates an example of values of the ratio (e.g. percentage value) of the number of each cycle run by the machinesat each facilityto the total number of cycles run by the machinesat each facility. The “percentage of cycles” in Table 5 indicates the value of the ratio as a percentage value. Thus, for example, Table 5 below indicates that the facilitywith Account ID 9227 has four cycles run by their washing machines, where the Bedding/Towels cycle is 67.8% (using the nearest tenth of a decimal place) of all cycles run; where the Delicates cycle is 1.38% of all cycles run; where the Mops/Kylies/Cloths cycle is 7.1% of all cycles run and where the Red Bags cycle is 23.7% of all cycles run over the predetermined time period (e.g. between the “Report From” date and the “Report To” date in Table 5).