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 by a dishwasher thermometer, wherein the thermometer is a unitary item configured to be removably placed in a washing chamber of the dishwasher, the method comprising:
generating an initiation signal indicative of a start of the wash cycle when an ambient light sensor in the dishwasher thermometer detects an ambient light level transitions below a predefined ambient light threshold;
triggering a data logger to start monitoring a temperature sensor of the thermometer in response to the initiation signal;
capturing, during the wash cycle, a maximum temperature 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;
generating a cycle end signal in response to detection of an ambient light level above a predefined ambient light threshold after receipt of the initiation signal; and
causing the data logger to stop monitoring the temperature sensor in response to the cycle end signal.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
capturing, during the wash cycle, a minimum temperature sensed by the temperature sensor; and
transmitting the minimum temperature to the device.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
capturing, during the wash cycle, a temperature profile senses by the temperature sensor; and
transmitting the temperature profile to the device.
4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising generating an alert when the maximum temperature does not reach a predefined threshold during the wash cycle.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein generating an alert further comprises transmitting the alert to one or more of a monitor device, a server, and a third party remote from the dishwasher thermometer.
6. The method of claim 4 , wherein the step of generating an alert includes audibly emitting the alert via a speaker of the dishwasher thermometer.
7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising 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.
8. A dishwasher thermometer with wireless temperature logger, comprising:
a processor;
a temperature sensor;
a wireless communications interface, wherein the temperature sensor and wireless communications interface are both part of a unitary structure of the thermometer, and wherein the thermometer is configured to be removably placed in a washing chamber of a dishwasher; and
memory storing non-transitory computer readable instructions that when executed by the processor control the processor to execute the method of claim 1 .