Product indication for filter status update

Abstract

A water filter communication system and method of using the system. A method of periodically reading water filter data associated with a water filter and retained by the water filter that has been positioned in an appliance includes the steps of: installing a water filter into an engaged position in a filter head assembly within an interior of a cabinet of an appliance that includes a water inlet and a water outlet and periodically, based upon and after a user's interaction with the appliance or the water filter, supplying power from the appliance to the filter read-write memory device engaged to the filter housing; transmitting water filter data to the appliance from the filter read-write memory device, which retains filter information.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]Filters with electronic systems that provide data about the filter where the electronic system is provided on the filter itself suffer from various issues, which has caused these systems to simply not be adopted due to too many failures in the design and implementation of such filter technology. Current systems often fail after a short period of time due to the refrigerator or freezer environment within which they are placed being very humid and moist environments. The fresh food (refrigerator) compartment and freezer compartment are exposed to humid air outside of the appliance cabinet periodically and then chilled, which often causes increased humidity and sometimes condensation on the appliance surfaces, including surfaces of the filter within the compartment. As such, previous systems employing some kind of electronic system on the filter cease to function after a short period of time due to corrosion caused by the humid environment and the const...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent describes a method to prevent corrosion between a water filter and a filter head assembly by using a water filter with a read-write memory device. The method includes steps of installing the water filter and engaging electrical power to the filter based on user interaction with the appliance or the water filter. The water filter then communicates data with the appliance for a set amount of time before disengaging the electrical power. The water filter has electrically conductive contacts that receive power from the appliance and provide power to the read-write memory device. The technical effect of this patent is to prevent corrosion between the water filter and the filter head assembly by using a read-write memory device and conductive contacts.

Problems solved by technology

Filters with electronic systems that provide data about the filter where the electronic system is provided on the filter itself suffer from various issues, which has caused these systems to simply not be adopted due to too many failures in the design and implementation of such filter technology.

Current systems often fail after a short period of time due to the refrigerator or freezer environment within which they are placed being very humid and moist environments.

The fresh food (refrigerator) compartment and freezer compartment are exposed to humid air outside of the appliance cabinet periodically and then chilled, which often causes increased humidity and sometimes condensation on the appliance surfaces, including surfaces of the filter within the compartment.

As such, previous systems employing some kind of electronic system on the filter cease to function after a short period of time due to corrosion caused by the humid environment and the constant power supplied to prior systems in order for them to function.

For example, without power being able to be delivered to the electronics system of the filter, the appliance would not be able to retrieve any data from the electronic system of the filter.

As a result, current systems are widely considered unacceptable and impractical.

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