IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,151,968
Granted Patent B2
US 7,151,968 · App. 10/001,261 · Granted Dec 19, 2006

Intelligent coffeemaker appliance

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,151,968
App. No.
10/001,261
Granted
Dec 19, 2006
Kind
B2
Abstract

The invention may be broadly conceptualized as an approach in which a coffeemaker ( 116 ) receives a plurality of timer settings from a network and communicates the state of the coffeemaker ( 116 ) to another network device while keeping a real-time clock ( 1112 ) synchronized and correctly set by receiving period time synchronization messages.

Claims (83)

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a coffeemaker;

a clock with a plurality of timers;

a controller with a communication path to the clock; and

a network interface connected to the communication path in receipt of a plurality of timer settings that are set in the clock by the controller that controls the coffeemaker;

wherein the controller is configured to form a message containing a state of the coffeemaker apparatus, and the network interface transmits the state message from the network interface for reception by another device.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the state of the coffeemaker is a not ready state upon the plurality of timer settings being set.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 , further comprising:

a button that when selected results in the state of the coffeemaker being in a ready to brew state.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein a brew timer is set upon a time kept by the clock matching one of the plurality of timer settings and results in the state of the coffeemaker apparatus being in a brewing state.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 , further comprising:

a warming plate that is turned off upon the expiration of a warming timer that is set upon the expiration of the brew timer and results in the state of the coffeemaker being a coffee ready state.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:

a memory that stores the plurality of timer settings.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein a time synchronization message having a time that is received by the network interface and results in the clock being set to the time in the time synchronization message.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:

a display in communication with the clock over the communication path that displays a time on the display.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:

a display in communication with the controller over the communication path that displays the state of the coffeemaker.

10. A method, comprising:

receiving at a coffeemaker apparatus with a network interface at least one timer setting at the network interface;

setting a clock with the at least one timer setting;

setting a state of the coffeemaker apparatus;

formatting a state message containing the state;

transmitting the state message from the network interface for reception by another device; and;

controlling the coffeemaker apparatus based on the state of the coffeemaker apparatus.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein setting the state further includes:

setting the state of the coffeemaker apparatus to a not ready state upon the setting of the clock with the at least one timer settings.

12. The method of claim 10 , wherein setting the state further includes:

signaling from an input device on the coffeemaker apparatus; and

setting the state of the coffeemaker apparatus to a ready to brew state in response to the signaling of the input device.

13. The method of claim 10 , wherein setting the state further includes:

identifying that the clock has reached the at least one timer settings;

initializing a brew timer to a predetermined time value; and

setting the state of the coffeemaker apparatus to a brewing state.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein setting the state further includes:

identifying that brew timer has expired;

setting a warming timer in response to the brew timer expiring; and

changing the state of coffeemaker apparatus to a coffee ready state.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein setting the state further includes:

identifying that the warming timer has expired; and

changing the state of the coffeemaker apparatus to a not ready state in response to the expiration of the warming timer.

16. The method of claim 14 , further including:

deactivating a warming plate in response to expiration of the warming timer.

17. The method of claim 10 , further comprising:

displaying on a display a time from the clock.

18. The method of claim 10 , further comprising:

displaying on a display a state of the coffeemaker appliance.

19. The method of claim 10 , further comprising:

receiving a time synchronization message at the network interface of the coffeemaker appliance; and

setting the clock in response to the time synchronization message.

20. An apparatus, comprising:

means for receiving at a coffeemaker apparatus at least one timer setting at the network interface;

means for setting a clock with the at least one timer setting;

means for setting a state of the coffeemaker apparatus;

means for formatting a state message containing the state for reception by another device;

means for transmitting the state message and;

means for controlling the coffeemaker apparatus based on the state of the coffeemaker apparatus.

21. The apparatus of claim 20 , wherein the means for setting the state further includes:

means for setting the state of the coffeemaker apparatus to a not ready state upon the setting of the clock with the at least one timer settings.

22. The apparatus of claim 20 , wherein the means for setting the state further includes:

means for signaling from an input device on the coffeemaker apparatus; and

means for setting the state of the coffeemaker apparatus to a ready to brew state in response to the input device.

23. The apparatus of claim 20 , wherein the means for setting the state further includes:

means for identifying that the clock has reached the at least one timer settings;

means for initializing a brew timer to a predetermined time value; and

means for setting the state of the coffeemaker apparatus to a brewing state.

24. The apparatus of claim 23 , wherein the means for setting the state further includes the steps of:

means for identifying that brew timer has expired;

means for setting a warming timer in response to the brew timer expiring; and

means for changing the state of coffeemaker apparatus to a coffee ready state.

25. The apparatus of claim 24 , wherein the means for setting the state further includes the steps of:

means for identifying that the warming timer has expired; and

means for changing the state of the coffeemaker apparatus to a not ready state in response to the expiration of the warming timer.

26. The apparatus of claim 24 , further including:

means for deactivating a warming plate in response to expiration of the warming timer.

27. The apparatus of claim 20 , further comprising:

means for displaying on a display a time from the clock.

28. The apparatus of claim 20 , further comprising:

means for displaying on a display a state of the coffeemaker appliance.

29. The apparatus of claim 20 , further comprising:

means for receiving a time synchronization message at the network interface of the coffeemaker appliance; and

means for setting the clock in response to the time synchronization message.

Assignments (17)
NOTICE OF SUCCESSOR AGENT AND ASSIGNMENT OF SECURITY INTEREST (INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY) REEL/FRAME 036131/0272 Recorded Jun 5, 2018
From: DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH
To: ROYAL BANK OF CANADA
Reel/Frame 046301/0425 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 20, 2015
From: SPECTRUM BRANDS, INC.
To: DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 036131/0272 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 14, 2015
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL TRUSTEE
To: APPLICA CONSUMER PRODUCTS, INC.; APPLICA CONSUMER PRODUCTS, INC., A CORP. OF FLORIDA; KWIKSET CORPORATION; LIQUID HOLDING COMPANY, INC.; NATIONAL MANUFACTURING CO.; PRICE PFISTER, INC.; ROV HOLDING, INC., A CORP. OF DELAWARE; ROVCAL, INC.; ROVCAL, INC., A CORP. OF CALIFORNIA; RUSSELL HOBBS, INC., A CORP. OF DELAWARE; SALIX ANIMAL HEALTH, LLC; SEED RESOURCES, L.L.C.; SPECTRUM BRANDS, INC.; SPECTRUM BRANDS, INC. AS SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST TO ROVCAL, INC.; SPECTRUM BRANDS, INC., A CORP. OF DELAWARE; TELL MANUFACTURING, INC.; TETRA HOLDING (US), INC., A CORP. OF DELAWARE; TETRA HOLDINGS (US), INC.; UNITED INDUSTRIES CORPORATION; UNITED INDUSTRIES CORPORATION AS SUCCESSOR IN INTEREST TO LIQUID HOLDING COMPANY, INC.; UNITED PET GROUP, INC.; UNITED PET GROUP, INC., A CORP. OF DELAWARE
Reel/Frame 036102/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 2, 2015
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS AGENT
To: RUSSELL HOBBS, INC.; APPLICA CONSUMER PRODUCTS, INC.; TOASTMASTER INC.; SPECTRUM BRANDS, INC.; ROVCAL, INC.; TETRA HOLDING (US), INC.; UNITED PET GROUP, INC.; SEED RESOURCES, L.L.C.; PRICE PFISTER, INC.; KWIKSET CORPORATION; NATIONAL MANUFACTURING CO.; LIQUID HOLDING COMPANY, INC.; TELL MANUFACTURING, INC.; SALIX ANIMAL HEALTH, LLC
Reel/Frame 036052/0845 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 28, 2012
From: RUSSELL HOBBS, INC.
To: SPECTRUM BRANDS, INC.
Reel/Frame 029364/0086 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Nov 27, 2012
From: SALTON, INC.
To: RUSSELL HOBBS, INC.
Reel/Frame 029352/0725 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 11, 2010
From: RUSSELL HOBBS, INC.; APPLICA CONSUMER PRODUCTS, INC.; TOASTMASTER INC.; SPECTRUM BRANDS, INC.; ROVCAL, INC.; UNITED PET GROUP, INC.; UNITED INDUSTRIES CORPORATION
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 024823/0177 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 6, 2010
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: HP INTELLECTUAL CORP.; APPLICA INCORPORATED; APPLICA CONSUMER PRODUCTS, INC.; SALTON, INC.; SONEX INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 024794/0886 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 21, 2010
From: RUSSELL HOBBS, INC., A CORP. OF DELAWARE; SPECTRUM BRANDS, INC., A CORP. OF DELAWARE; ROV HOLDING, INC., A CORP. OF DELAWARE; TETRA HOLDING (US), INC., A CORP. OF DELAWARE; UNITED PET GROUP, INC., A CORP. OF DELAWARE; APPLICA CONSUMER PRODUCTS, INC., A CORP. OF FLORIDA; ROVCAL, INC., A CORP. OF CALIFORNIA
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 024741/0295 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 15, 2008
From: SALTON, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 020507/0893 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 28, 2008
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK
To: SALTON, INC.; TOASTMASTER INC.; ICEBOX, LLC; SONEX INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION; FAMILY PRODUCTS INC.; HOME CREATIONS DIRECT, LTD; SALTON HOLDINGS, INC.; SALTON TOASTMASTER LOGISTICS, LLC
Reel/Frame 020417/0494 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 14, 2008
From: WELLS FARGO FOOTHILL, INC.
To: SALTON, INC.; TOASTMASTER INC.; SALTON TOASTMASTER LOGISTICS LLC; HOME CREATIONS DIRECT, LTD.; SONEX INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION; ICEBOX, LLC; SALTON HOLDINGS, INC.; FAMILY PRODUCTS INC.
Reel/Frame 020362/0067 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Oct 25, 2007
From: SALTON, INC.; SONEX INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION; TOASTMASTER, INC.; ICEBOX, LLC; SALTON TOASTMASTER LOGISTICS, LLC; FAMILY PRODUCTS, INC.; HOME CREATIONS DIRECT, LTD; SALTON HOLDINGS, INC.
To: HARBINGER CAPITAL PARTNERS MASTER FUND I, LTD.
Reel/Frame 020010/0920 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 11, 2005
From: SALTON, INC.; TOASTMASTER INC.; SALTON TOASTMASTER LOGISTICS LLC; HOME CREATIONS DIRECT, LTD.; SONEX INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION; ICEBOX, LLC; FAMILY PRODUCTS INC.; SALTON HOLDINGS, INC.
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK (AS ADMINISTRATIVE AND COLLATERAL AGENT)
Reel/Frame 016761/0797 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 9, 2004
From: WACHOVIA BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: WELLS FARGO FOOTHILL, INC.
Reel/Frame 015127/0865 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 12, 2004
From: WILLIAMSON, CHARLES G.
To: SALTON, INC.
Reel/Frame 015194/0606 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 17, 2003
From: SALTON, INC.; TOASTMASTER, INC.; SALTON TOASTMASTER LOGISTICS LLC; HOME CREATIONS DIRECT, LTD.; SONEX INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION; ICEBOX, LLC; FAMILY PRODUCTS INC.; SALTON HOLDINGS, INC.
To: WACHOVIA BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 014152/0851 →