Dishwasher thermometer with wireless temperature logger and associated methods
View Patent ↗A dishwasher thermometer captures temperature data of temperature sensed within a dishwasher during a wash cycle. The dishwasher thermometer includes a wireless communication interface that transmits the captured temperature data to one or more of a server and a monitor device. When the captured temperature data indicates that the wash cycle did not achieve defined temperature threshold(s), an alert is generated at the server and/or the monitor device indicating that the wash cycle did not meet appropriate washing conditions. In embodiments, the temperature data may be accessible to a third party for certification of the dishwasher wash cycle.
1. A method for wireless temperature logging of a dishwasher wash cycle, comprising:
generating an initiation signal indicative of a start of the wash cycle, when a temperature sensed by a temperature sensor of a dishwasher thermometer positioned within the dishwasher is above a predefined temperature threshold, wherein the dishwasher thermometer is a unitary item configured to be removably placed in a washing chamber of the dishwasher;
triggering a data logger to start monitoring the temperature sensor in response to the initiation signal;
capturing a maximum temperature during the wash cycle sensed by the temperature sensor;
transmitting, via a wireless communications interface of the dishwasher thermometer, the maximum temperature to a device remote from the dishwasher thermometer using a transceiver in the dishwasher;
generating a cycle end signal in response to the detection of a temperature by the temperature sensor below a predefined threshold after receipt of the initiation signal;
causing the data logger to stop monitoring the temperature sensor in response to the cycle end signal;
generating an alert signaling that the maximum temperature does not reach a predefined threshold during the wash cycle;
transmitting, via the wireless communication interface, the alert to the transceiver in the dishwasher; and
automatically rerunning the dishwasher wash cycle in response to the alert.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
capturing a minimum temperature sensed by the temperature sensor during the wash cycle; and
transmitting the minimum temperature to the device.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
capturing a temperature profile sensed by the temperature sensor during the wash cycle; and
transmitting the temperature profile to the device.
4. The method of claim 1 , the step of generating an alert comprising transmitting the alert to one or more of a monitor device, a server, and a third party remote from the dishwasher thermometer.
5. The method of claim 1 , the step of generating an alert including audibly emitting the alert via a speaker of the dishwasher thermometer.
6. The method of claim 1 , the step of transmitting the maximum temperature comprises transmitting the maximum temperature from the dishwasher thermometer to a server, the method further comprising allowing a third party to access historical data of the dishwasher thermometer received at the server.