Cleaner dispensing system cartridge authentication and control

Abstract

A control system includes a detergent dispensing system and a computing device. The cleaning agent dispensing system includes a cleaning agent dispensing device having a dispenser apparatus configured to operate to dispense a cleaning composition. The detergent dispensing system includes a cartridge configured to be removably coupled with the detergent dispensing device to provide the dispenser apparatus with a cleaning composition held in a cartridge reservoir. The cartridge includes a cartridge indicator configured to indicate a particular cartridge identifier code associated with the cartridge. The computing device is configured to detect the particular cartridge identifier code based on acquiring cartridge information from the cartridge indicator, and in response to determining that the particular cartridge identifier code matches a trusted cartridge identifier code, send a device enable command signal to the detergent dispensing device, such that the detergent dispensing device selectively activates operation of at least the dispenser apparatus.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to a cleaning dispenser system for dispensing cleaning composition into an air conditioning system and, more particularly, to selectively controlling the operation of a dispenser device of the cleaning dispenser system based on an authentication cartridge for providing the cleaning composition to the dispenser device. Background Art

[0002] An air conditioning system may include an air handler, also known as an air handling unit (AHU), which can circulate and cool air within a space and / or structure. The air handler can move air by operating an air mover, such as a blower or fan, to thermally communicate with a heat exchanger, such as an air coil. The air handler can circulate a refrigerant through the heat exchanger to absorb (e.g., remove) heat from the air flow to cool the air, and the air conditioning system can circulate the refrigerant through the heat exchanger to reject the absorbed heat to a heat sink (e.g., the ambient environment).

[0003] In some cases, the cooled air produced by the heat exchanger absorbing heat from the air may cause moisture (eg, condensate) in the cooled air to condense at the heat exchanger. The condensate may be collected and drained from the air handler via a condensate drain line. Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to some example embodiments, a control system may include a detergent dispensing system and a computing device. The detergent dispensing system may be used to distribute cleaning compositions. The detergent dispensing system may include a detergent dispensing device, the detergent dispensing device including a dispenser device, the dispenser device being used to operate to distribute the cleaning compositions by a device outlet. The detergent dispensing device may be used to selectively enable and disable the operation of at least the dispenser device. The detergent dispensing system may include a box for maintaining the cleaning compositions in the box reservoir of the box. The box may be used to detachably couple with the detergent dispensing device to provide the dispenser device with the cleaning compositions maintained in the box reservoir. The box may include a box indicator for indicating a specific box identifier code associated with the box. A computing device may include a memory and a processor storing an instruction program. The processor may be used to execute the instruction program to detect the specific box identifier code indicated by the box indicator of the box based on obtaining box information from the box indicator. The processor is operable to execute the program of instructions to, in response to determining that the particular cartridge identifier code matches an authentic cartridge identifier code, send a device enable command signal to the detergent dispensing device to cause the detergent dispensing device to selectively enable operation of at least the dispenser apparatus.

[0005] The cleaning agent dispensing device may also be configured to set a counter value of a counter to an initial counter value in response to selectively enabling operation of the dispenser device, operate the dispenser device to dispense the cleaning composition received at the dispenser device from the cartridge reservoir after selectively enabling operation of the dispenser device, increment the counter value in response to each operation of the dispenser device to dispense the cleaning composition to the device outlet, and selectively disable operation of at least the dispenser device in response to determining that the counter value satisfies at least a first threshold counter value associated with depletion of the cleaning composition in the cartridge reservoir of the cartridge.

[0006] The detergent dispensing apparatus may be further configured to transmit an alert signal to the computing device in response to determining that the counter value satisfies at least a second threshold counter value, the second threshold counter value being between the initial counter value and the first threshold counter value. The processor of the computing device may be configured to execute a program of instructions to transmit an order command signal to a remote system via a network communication link in response to the alert signal, causing at least one new cartridge to be shipped to a physical mailing address associated with the detergent dispensing apparatus.

[0007] The cartridge indicator may include a visible pattern externally visible on an outer surface of the cartridge. The computing device may include a camera device. The processor may be configured to execute the program of instructions to obtain the cartridge information from the cartridge indicator based on controlling the camera device to generate an image of the visible pattern, and to detect the specific cartridge identifier code based on processing the image of the visible pattern.

[0008] The visible pattern is a Quick Response (QR) code.

[0009] The cartridge indicator includes a near field communication (NFC) device configured to transmit an NFC signal indicating the specific cartridge identifier code in response to an NFC field. The computing device includes one or more NFC communication interfaces configured to generate the NFC field and receive the NFC signal transmitted by the NFC device in response to the NFC field. The processor may be configured to execute the program of instructions to obtain the cartridge information from the cartridge indicator based on causing the one or more NFC communication interfaces of the computing device to generate the NFC field and receive the NFC signal transmitted by the NFC device in response to the NFC field, and to detect the specific cartridge identifier code based on processing the NFC signal.

[0010] Determining that the specific box identifier code matches a trusted box identifier code may include comparing the specific box identifier code to one or more trusted box identifier codes stored in a database, the one or more trusted box identifier codes including the trusted box identifier code, and determining that the specific box identifier code matches at least the trusted box identifier code of the one or more trusted box identifier codes.

[0011] The processor is operable to execute the program of instructions to receive the one or more trusted cartridge identifier codes from a remote system over a network communication link, store the database including the one or more trusted cartridge identifier codes in the memory of the computing device, and compare the particular cartridge identifier code with the one or more trusted cartridge identifier codes stored in the database of the computing device.

[0012] At least one of the computing device or the remote system is configured to deauthenticate the trusted cartridge identifier code based on the device enable command signal being sent to the detergent dispensing device.

[0013] The control system may further include a remote system storing the database. The processor may be configured to execute the instruction program so that the computing device sends an authentication request signal indicating the specific box identifier code to the remote system via a network communication link. The remote system may be configured to, in response to receiving and processing the authentication request signal, compare the specific box identifier code with the one or more trusted box identifier codes stored in the database to determine that the specific box identifier code matches at least the trusted box identifier code in the one or more trusted box identifier codes. The remote system may be configured to, in response to determining that the specific box identifier code matches at least the trusted box identifier code, send an authentication confirmation signal to the computing device. The processor may also be configured to execute the instruction program so that, in response to processing the authentication confirmation signal received from the remote system, it is determined that the specific box identifier code matches the trusted box identifier code.

[0014] The processor is operable to execute the program of instructions to determine that the specific cartridge identifier code matches the trusted cartridge identifier code in response to receiving the authentication confirmation signal within a specified time period after the authentication request signal is sent from the computing device to the remote system.

[0015] According to some example embodiments, computing equipment can be to realize the authentication control to the detergent dispensing system for dispensing cleaning composition.Described detergent dispensing system can comprise box and detergent dispensing device.Described box can be used for the described cleaning composition being kept in the box reservoir of described box.Described detergent dispensing device can comprise dispenser device.Described box can be used for being detachably connected with described detergent dispensing device, to provide described cleaning composition being kept in described box reservoir to described dispenser device.Described detergent dispensing device can be used for operating described dispenser device, to dispense described cleaning composition by device outlet.Described detergent dispensing device can be used for selectively opening and forbidding the operation of at least described dispenser device.Described box can comprise the box indicator for indicating the specific box identifier code associated with described box.Computing equipment can comprise memory and processor of storage instruction program.Described processor can be used for executing described instruction program, to detect described specific box identifier code indicated by described box indicator of described box based on obtaining box information from described box indicator. The processor is operable to execute the program of instructions to, in response to determining that the particular cartridge identifier code matches an authentic cartridge identifier code, send a device enable command signal to the detergent dispensing device to cause the detergent dispensing device to selectively enable operation of at least the dispenser apparatus.

[0016] The processor is operable to execute the program of instructions to send an order command signal to a remote system via a network communication link to be shipped to a physical mailing address associated with the detergent dispensing device in response to receiving and processing an alert signal from the detergent dispensing device, the alert signal indicating that the cartridge reservoir of the cartridge contains an amount of the detergent composition that is equal to or less than a threshold amount.

[0017] The computing device may further include a camera device. The processor may be configured to execute the program of instructions to obtain the cartridge information from the cartridge indicator based on controlling the camera device to generate an image of a visible pattern, the visible pattern being externally visible on an outer surface of the cartridge, the visible pattern being associated with the cartridge indicator. The processor may be configured to execute the program of instructions to detect the specific cartridge identifier code based on processing the image of the visible pattern.

[0018] The visible pattern is a Quick Response (QR) code.

[0019] One or more near field communication (NFC) communication interfaces, the one or more NFC communication interfaces being collectively configured to generate an NFC field. The box indicator is an NFC device, the NFC device being configured to send an NFC signal indicating the specific box identifier code in response to the NFC field. The one or more NFC communication interfaces are also collectively configured to receive the NFC signal sent by the NFC device in response to the NFC field. The processor can be used to execute the instruction program to obtain the box information from the box indicator based on causing the one or more NFC communication interfaces of the computing device to collectively generate the NFC field and receive the NFC signal sent by the NFC device in response to the NFC field. The processor can be used to execute the instruction program to detect the specific box identifier code based on processing the NFC signal.

[0020] Determining that the specific box identifier code matches a trusted box identifier code may include comparing the specific box identifier code to one or more trusted box identifier codes stored in a database, the one or more trusted box identifier codes including the trusted box identifier code, and determining that the specific box identifier code matches at least the trusted box identifier code of the one or more trusted box identifier codes.

[0021] The processor may be configured to execute the program of instructions to deauthenticate the trusted cartridge identifier code based on the device enable command signal being sent to the detergent dispensing device.

[0022] The processor is operable to execute the program of instructions to receive the one or more trusted cartridge identifier codes from a remote system via a network communication link and store a database comprising the one or more trusted cartridge identifier codes in the memory of the computing device. The processor is operable to execute the program of instructions to compare the specific cartridge identifier code with the one or more trusted cartridge identifier codes stored in the database of the computing device.

[0023] The processor is configured to execute the program of instructions to cause the computing device to send an authentication request signal indicating the specific cartridge identifier code to a remote system via a network communication link, the remote system storing the database. The processor is configured to execute the program of instructions to determine, in response to processing an authentication confirmation signal received from the remote system, that the specific cartridge identifier code matches at least one of the one or more trusted cartridge identifier codes in the database of the remote system, thereby determining that the specific cartridge identifier code matches the trusted cartridge identifier code.

[0024] The processor is operable to execute the program of instructions to determine that the specific cartridge identifier code matches the trusted cartridge identifier code in response to receiving the authentication confirmation signal within a specific time period from sending the authentication request signal from the computing device to the remote system.

[0025] According to some exemplary embodiments, the method performed by a computing device may include: obtaining box information from a box indicator based on a detection device controlling the computing device, detecting a specific box identifier code indicated by a box indicator of a box of a detergent dispensing system. The detergent dispensing system may include the box and a detergent dispensing device. The box may be used to keep a cleaning composition in a box reservoir of the box. The detergent dispensing device may include a dispenser device. The box may be used to be detachably coupled to the detergent dispensing device to provide the cleaning composition held in the box reservoir to the dispenser device. The detergent dispensing device may be used to operate the dispenser device to dispense the cleaning composition through a device outlet. The detergent dispensing device may be used to selectively enable and disable the operation of at least the dispenser device. The specific box identifier code may be associated with the box. The method may include, in response to determining that the specific box identifier code matches a trusted box identifier code, sending a device enable command signal to the detergent dispensing device so that the detergent dispensing device at least selectively enables the operation of the dispenser device.

[0026] The method may further include sending an order command signal to a remote system via a network communication link for shipment to a physical mailing address associated with the detergent dispensing device in response to receiving and processing an alert signal from the detergent dispensing device, the alert signal indicating that the cartridge reservoir of the cartridge contains an amount of the cleaning composition that is equal to or less than a threshold amount.

[0027] The specific box identifier code is detected based on: generating an image of a visible pattern externally visible on an outer surface of the box based on a camera device controlling the computing device, obtaining the box information from the box indicator, the visible pattern being associated with the box indicator; and processing the image of the visible pattern to detect the specific box identifier code.

[0028] The visible pattern is a Quick Response (QR) code.

[0029] The specific box identifier code is detected based on: controlling one or more near field communication (NFC) communication interfaces of the computing device to generate an NFC field, obtaining the box information from the box indicator based on receiving an NFC signal generated by the box indicator in response to the NFC field at the one or more NFC communication interfaces of the computing device, wherein the box indicator is an NFC device configured to send the NFC signal in response to the NFC field; and processing the NFC signal at the computing device to detect the specific box identifier code.

[0030] Determining that the specific box identifier code matches a trusted box identifier code may include: comparing the specific box identifier code with one or more trusted box identifier codes stored in a database, the one or more trusted box identifier codes including the trusted box identifier code; and determining that the specific box identifier code matches at least the trusted box identifier code of the one or more trusted box identifier codes.

[0031] The method may further include deauthenticating the trusted cartridge identifier code based on the device enable command signal being sent to the detergent dispensing device.

[0032] Determining that the specific box identifier code matches the trusted box identifier code may include: sending an authentication request signal indicating the specific box identifier code to a remote system via a network communication link, the remote system storing a database, the database including one or more trusted box identifier codes, the one or more trusted box identifier codes including the trusted box identifier code, and determining that the specific box identifier code matches the trusted box identifier code in response to processing an authentication confirmation signal received from the remote system to determine that the specific box identifier code matches at least the trusted box identifier code among the one or more trusted box identifier codes in the database of the remote system.

[0033] The method may further include determining that the specific cartridge identifier code matches the trusted cartridge identifier code in response to receiving the authentication confirmation signal within a specific period of time from when the authentication request signal was sent to the remote system. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] The various features and advantages of the non-limiting embodiments herein may become more apparent when the detailed description is reviewed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The drawings are for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims. Unless expressly noted, the drawings should not be considered to be drawn to scale. The various dimensions of the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity.

[0035] Figure 1A and 1B is a schematic diagram of an air conditioning system, a detergent dispensing system, and an authentication control system provided by some exemplary embodiments.

[0036] Figure 2A 、 2B , 2C, and 2D are schematic diagrams of a detergent dispensing system including a detergent dispensing apparatus and a cartridge, as well as a computing device and a remote system, according to some exemplary embodiments.

[0037] Figure 2E is a perspective view of a detergent dispensing system including a detergent dispensing device and a cartridge, according to some exemplary embodiments.

[0038] Figure 2F is a perspective view of a cartridge for a detergent dispensing system, according to some exemplary embodiments.

[0039] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a computing device of some exemplary embodiments.

[0040] Figure 4 is a flow chart illustrating a method of operating a detergent dispensing device according to some exemplary embodiments.

[0041] Figure 5 is a flow chart illustrating a method of operation of a computing device of some example embodiments.

[0042] Figure 6 is a flow chart illustrating a method of operation of a computing device of some example embodiments.

[0043] Figure 7 is a flow chart illustrating a method of operation of a computing device of some example embodiments.

[0044] Figure 8A and 8B is a flow chart illustrating a method of operating a control system according to some exemplary embodiments.

[0045] Figure 9A and Figure 9B is a flow chart illustrating a method of operating a control system according to some exemplary embodiments.

[0046] Figure 10A 、 10B , 10C, 10D, 10E, and 10F are views of graphical user interfaces displayed by a remote computing device according to some example embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] Some detailed exemplary embodiments are disclosed herein. However, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are only for the purpose of describing the exemplary embodiments. However, the exemplary embodiments can be embodied in many alternative forms and should not be construed as being limited to the exemplary embodiments set forth herein.

[0048] Accordingly, while the exemplary embodiments are capable of various modifications and alternative forms, exemplary embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that there is no intention to limit the exemplary embodiments to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the exemplary embodiments are to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0049] Example embodiments are described herein with reference to cross-sectional illustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealized embodiments (and intermediate structures) of example embodiments. As such, variations in shapes as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and / or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, example embodiments should not be construed as limited to the shapes of regions illustrated herein but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing.

[0050] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which the exemplary embodiments pertain. It will also be understood that terms, including those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly defined herein.

[0051] It should be understood that elements and / or their properties (e.g., structure, surface, direction, etc.) that can be referred to as "perpendicular", "parallel", "flush", etc. relative to other elements and / or their properties (e.g., structure, surface, direction, etc.) can be "perpendicular", "parallel", "flush", etc. relative to other elements and / or their properties, respectively, or can be "substantially perpendicular", "substantially parallel", "substantially flush".

[0052] Elements and / or their attributes (e.g., structures, surfaces, directions, etc.) that are “substantially perpendicular” relative to other elements and / or their attributes should be understood to be “perpendicular” relative to other elements and / or their attributes within the manufacturing tolerance and / or material tolerance range, and / or their attributes deviate from “perpendicular” in size and / or angle, and / or their attributes are equal to or less than 10% of the deviation from “perpendicular” (e.g., ±10% tolerance).

[0053] Elements and / or their attributes (e.g., structure, surface, direction, etc.) that are “substantially parallel” relative to other elements and / or their attributes should be understood as being “parallel” relative to other elements and / or their attributes within the manufacturing tolerance and / or material tolerance range, and / or the deviation of their attributes from “parallel” in size and / or angle, and / or the deviation of their attributes being equal to or less than 10% (e.g., ±10% tolerance).

[0054] An element and / or its properties (e.g., structure, surface, orientation, etc.) that is “substantially flush” relative to other elements and / or their properties should be understood as “flush” and / or a deviation in size and / or angle from “flush” with respect to other elements and / or their properties within manufacturing tolerances and / or material tolerances, equivalent to equal to or less than 10% (e.g., ±10% tolerance) relative to other elements and / or their properties.

[0055] It should be understood that elements and / or their properties may be described herein as being "the same" or "equal" to other elements, and it should be further understood that elements and / or their properties described herein as being "equivalent," "identical," or "equal" to other elements may be "equivalent," "identical," "equal," or "substantially the same," or "substantially the same" or "substantially equal" to other elements and / or their properties. Elements and / or their properties that are "substantially equivalent," "substantially the same," or "substantially equal" are understood to include elements and / or their properties that are equivalent, identical, or equal to other elements and / or their properties within manufacturing tolerances and / or material tolerances. Elements and / or their properties that are equivalent, substantially identical, and / or substantially equal to other elements and / or their properties may be identical or substantially identical in structure, identical or substantially identical in function, and / or identical or substantially identical in composition.

[0056] It should be understood that elements and / or attributes thereof described herein as being “substantially” the same and / or identical include elements and / or attributes thereof having a relative difference in size that is equal to or less than 10. Furthermore, regardless of whether an element and / or attribute thereof is modified to be “substantial,” it should be understood that such elements and / or attributes thereof are understood to include manufacturing or operating tolerances (e.g., ±10%) around the element and / or attribute thereof.

[0057] When the terms "about" or "substantially" are used herein in conjunction with a numerical value, it is intended that the associated numerical value include a tolerance of ±10% of the numerical value. When a range is specified, the range includes all values ​​therebetween, for example, in increments of 0.1%.

[0058] Figure 1A and 1B is a schematic diagram of an air conditioning system 100 and a control system 3000 including a detergent dispensing system 1100 and an authentication and control system 3010 according to some exemplary embodiments. Figure 2A 、2B , 2C, and 2D are schematic diagrams of a detergent dispensing system including a detergent dispensing apparatus and a cartridge, a computing device, and a remote system, according to some exemplary embodiments. Figure 2E is a perspective view of a detergent dispensing system including a detergent dispensing device and a cartridge, according to some exemplary embodiments. Figure 2F is a perspective view of a cartridge for a detergent dispensing system, according to some exemplary embodiments.

[0059] See also Figure 1A and 1B An air conditioning system 100, which may be interchangeably referred to as an air conditioning system, air conditioner, etc., may be used to provide cooling of air within the interior of structure 1 and may be located at least partially within structure 1, although exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. Air conditioning system 100 may be included as part of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, but exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto, and in some exemplary embodiments, air conditioning system 100 may be separate from any heating system.

[0060] See also Figure 1A and 1B The air conditioning system 100 may include an air handler 102 and a condenser assembly 104 for drawing return air 106 from the interior of the structure 1, cooling the drawn return air 106 (e.g., absorbing heat from the drawn return air 106) into conditioned air 114, and discharging the conditioned air 114 back into the interior of the structure 1. Within a housing 101 comprised at least in part of metal (e.g., steel) and defining at least an interior 192, the air handler 102 may include an air inlet 103, an air filter 105, an air mover 108 (e.g., a fan, a blower, etc.), a heat exchanger 110 (e.g., an evaporator coil), an expansion valve 111, a drip pan 122, a condensate drain 124 (also referred to herein as a condensate drain pipe, a condensate drain tube, etc.), a controller 140, a float switch 160, and an air outlet 112. The condenser assembly 104 may include a compressor 150 , a second heat exchanger 152 (eg, a condenser coil), and an air mover 154 (eg, a fan, a blower, etc.).

[0061] It should be understood that exemplary embodiments of the air conditioning system, air handler, condenser assembly, etc. may have different equipment arrangements therein and may omit or add to, for example, Figure 1A and 1B1. The air conditioning system 100 shown in FIG. 1 is shown in FIG. 1. For example, it will be appreciated that, in some exemplary embodiments, elements shown as included in the air handler 102 may be located in the condenser assembly 104 (e.g., the controller 140 may be located in the condenser assembly 104 rather than the air handler 102). As shown, the condenser assembly 104 may be located outside the structure 1, while the air handler 102 is located inside the structure 1, but exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto.

[0062] In some exemplary embodiments, the air conditioning system 100 can draw return air 106 into the air handler 102 through an air inlet 103 and an air filter 105, wherein the air filter 105 can be any known air filter configured to remove certain substances (e.g., particulate matter, including dust) from the return air 106. An air mover 108 (e.g., a blower) can induce air to flow into, through, and out of the air handler 102. The air mover 108 can draw the return air 106 through the air filter 105 to remove certain substances and can move (e.g., blow) the return air 106 through the air mover 108 to the heat exchanger 110. The return air 106 can flow in thermal communication with one or more coils of the heat exchanger 110 (e.g., in contact with the outer surfaces of the one or more coils), thereby removing heat from the return air 106 to cool the return air 106 into conditioned air 114. The air handler 102 may move conditioned air 114 out of the air handler 102 and back into the interior of the structure 1 through the air outlet 112 .

[0063] When return air 106 is passed through heat exchanger 110 in thermal communication (e.g., through one or more coils of heat exchanger 110 and / or in contact with one or more coils of heat exchanger 110), air conditioning system 100 can circulate a working fluid (e.g., comprising known R22 refrigerant, R410A refrigerant, or any known refrigerant) between heat exchangers 110 and 152 to remove heat from return air 106. Heat exchanger 110 can include any known heat exchanger used in air conditioning systems, such as an evaporator coil exchanger including one or more coils of one or more tubes through which a working fluid (e.g., as a cooling liquid) flows. When return air 106 is passed through one or more coils (e.g., in contact with, in thermal communication with, etc.), heat exchanger 110 can transfer heat from return air 106 to the working fluid, thereby heating the working fluid (e.g., heating it to a low-pressure gas). The heated working fluid can be drawn into condenser assembly 104 via fluid line 116 (e.g., a fluid pipe, tube, etc.).

[0064] In the condenser assembly 104, the air conditioning system 100 may include a compressor 150 (which may be any known compressor) that induces a working fluid to flow through the air conditioning system 100. The compressor 150 may draw heated working fluid from the fluid line 118 and compress the heated working fluid into a high-pressure gas. The heated working fluid (e.g., as a high-pressure gas) may be transferred (e.g., flowed) from the compressor 150 to a heat exchanger 152 (which may be any known heat exchanger and may be referred to as a condenser coil). An air mover 154 may draw ambient air 198 from an ambient environment 190 through (e.g., be in thermal communication with) one or more tubes of the heat exchanger 152 to remove heat from the heated working fluid passing through the one or more tubes of the heat exchanger 152, thereby discharging the heat initially removed from the return air 106 to the ambient environment 190, which acts as a heat sink for the air conditioning system 100. As a result, the working fluid passing through the heat exchanger 152 may be cooled back into a liquid. The working fluid can then be transmitted (e.g., flowed, circulated, etc.) back to the air handler 102 via fluid line 118, where the working fluid can pass through an expansion valve 111 (which can be any known expansion valve) to cool the working fluid and then enter the heat exchanger 110 to remove additional heat from the return air 106.

[0065] As above, circulation of the working fluid through heat exchanger 110 , heat exchanger 152 , fluid lines 116 and 118 , and expansion valve 111 may be induced by operation of compressor 150 .

[0066] Furthermore, the air conditioning system 100 may include a controller 140 for controlling elements of the air conditioning system 100, including, for example, controlling the operation of the air handler 102, the condenser assembly 104, or any portion thereof. As described below, the controller 140 may be implemented by a computing device including a memory storing a program of instructions and a processor for executing the program of instructions. While the controller 140 is shown as being included within the housing 101 of the air handler 102, it should be understood that the controller 140 may be located external to the housing 101. In some example embodiments, the controller 140 may be located within the condenser assembly 104 or may be connected to the exterior of the air handler 102 for manual access.

[0067] Still refer to Figure 1A and 1BWhen heat is removed from the return air 106 based on the return air 106 being in thermal communication with the heat exchanger 110, water may condense from the cooled return air as condensate 120 at the heat exchanger 110, for example, on one or more exterior surfaces 110s of the heat exchanger 110. The air handler 102 may include a drip pan 122 located below the heat exchanger 110, and the condensate 120 may fall from the one or more exterior surfaces 110s of the heat exchanger 110 under gravity to be collected in the drip pan 122. The air handler 102 may also include a condensate drain line 124 having an inlet opening 128 coupled to the drip pan 122 (e.g., a bottom surface of the drip pan 122 having an inclined surface that slopes downwardly toward the inlet opening 128 of the condensate drain line 124) and an outlet opening 130 located outside the structure 1 and open to the ambient environment 190, as shown. Condensate 120 collected in the drip pan 122 may be conveyed by gravity to an inlet opening 128 of a condensate drain line 124 , and the condensate drain line 124 may direct the condensate 120 out of the air handler 102 and out of the structure 1 to the ambient environment 190 via an outlet opening 130 of the condensate drain line 124 .

[0068] like Figure 1A and 1BAs shown, the air conditioning system 100 may include a float switch 160 located in the drip pan 122 and / or the condensate drain line 124 (e.g., located at an opening 125 entering the condensate drain line 124, as shown). The float switch 160 may be a switch that is actuated based on a backflow and / or overflow of condensate 120 in the condensate drain line 124. For example, the float switch 160 may be any known float switch and may be configured to close or open (e.g., actuate) based on the accumulation of condensate 120 in the drip pan 122 to maintain at least a threshold volume in the drip pan 122. Float switch 160 may be communicatively (e.g., electronically) coupled to controller 140, and controller 140 may be configured to shut down a portion or all of air conditioning system 100 (e.g., shut down air handler 102, air mover 108, compressor 150, and / or air mover 154) in response to float switch 160 being actuated, thereby reducing or preventing damage to the structure and / or air conditioning system 100 due to accumulation of condensate 120. As shown, the float switch 160 may be coupled to and / or included in a float switch assembly or housing 180, which may be coupled to the opening 125 of the condensate drain line 124 to position the float switch 160 within the condensate drain line 124 such that the float switch 160 is configured to close or open (e.g., actuate) based on the accumulation of condensate in the condensate drain line 124, wherein the controller 140 may be electrically coupled to the float switch 160, wherein actuation of the float switch may open or close an electrical circuit, which may be detected by the controller 140 (e.g., via a current sensor, etc.), and the controller 140 may be configured to shut down a portion or all of the air conditioning system 100 (e.g., shut down the air handler 102, the air conditioner 108, the compressor 150, and / or the air mover 154) in response to the float switch 160 being actuated.

[0069] In some exemplary embodiments, due to condensation of condensate 120 on one or more exterior surfaces 110s, various substances may accumulate on one or more exterior surfaces 110s of one or more components of the heat exchanger 110 (e.g., evaporator coils through which a liquid working fluid may circulate to remove heat from the return air 106). For example, these substances may include mold, algae, mildew, bacteria, and / or fungi. This accumulation of substances on the exterior surfaces of the components of the heat exchanger 110 may result in a decrease in the heat exchange (e.g., heat transfer) performance of the heat exchanger 110 when removing heat from the return air 106. Furthermore, such substances may accumulate in one or more components of the air conditioning system 100 (e.g., the drip pan 122, the condensate drain line 124, etc.), which may clog one or more portions of the condensate removal components (e.g., the drip pan 122, the condensate drain line 124, etc.) of the air handler 102, potentially causing damage, including water damage, to the air handler 102 and / or the structure comprising the air handler 102.

[0070] See also Figure 1A and Figure 1B and Figures 2A to 2D In some example embodiments, a cleaning agent dispensing system 1100 can be coupled to at least a portion of the air conditioning system 100, including, for example, an exterior surface of the housing 101 of the air handler 102, an opening 125 of the condensate drain line 124, etc. The cleaning agent dispensing system 1100 can be used to dispense a cleaning composition to at least a portion of the air conditioning system 100 to clean, decompose, remove, etc., various substances (e.g., mold, algae, mildew, bacteria, and / or fungi) that may accumulate in a portion of the air conditioning system 100. For example, Figure 1A and Figure 1B As shown, the cleaning agent dispensing system 1100 can be coupled to the opening 125 of the condensate drain line 124 (e.g., directly or via a conduit 290), and the cleaning agent dispensing system 1100 is configured to dispense a cleaning composition 230 into the condensate drain line 124 via the opening 125 of the condensate drain line 124 to clean, decompose, remove, etc., various substances (e.g., mold, algae, mildew, bacteria, and / or fungi) that may accumulate in the condensate drain line 124, thereby reducing the risk of condensate backflow in the condensate drain line 124, which may cause condensate overflow in the air conditioning system 100 and / or the structure 1, thereby improving the operating performance of the air conditioning system 100 and reducing the risk of damage to the air conditioning system 100 and / or the structure 1 due to condensate backflow in the condensate drain line 124.

[0071] It should be understood that the cleaning agent dispensing system 1100 can be used to dispense the cleaning composition 230 to other parts of the air conditioning system 100 . For example, the detergent dispensing system 1100 may include conduits and nozzles extending from the detergent dispensing system 1100 to the interior of the air handler 102, such that the detergent dispensing system 1100 is configured to dispense the cleaning composition 230 into the interior of the air handler 102 to contact one or more exterior surfaces of the heat exchanger 110, thereby cleaning, decomposing, removing, etc., various substances (e.g., mold, algae, mildew, bacteria, and / or fungi) that may accumulate on one or more exterior surfaces of the heat exchanger 110, thereby improving the heat transfer performance of the heat exchanger 110 (e.g., between the working fluid in the coils of the heat exchanger 110 and the return air 106 in thermal communication with the heat exchanger 110), thereby improving the operating efficiency and / or performance of the air conditioning system 100, at least with respect to cooling the return air 106. As described herein, "dispensing" the cleaning composition may include supplying the cleaning composition by operating a pump (e.g., "pumping"), actuating one or more actuators and / or valves, or any combination thereof.

[0072] In some exemplary embodiments, the detergent dispensing system 1100 can be used to dispense (e.g., pump, spray, etc.) the cleaning composition 230 to at least a portion of the air conditioning system 100 without human intervention (e.g., automatically), for example, by dispensing discrete amounts (e.g., specific amounts, which can be specific volumes and / or specific masses) of the cleaning composition at specific (or, alternatively, predetermined) fixed time intervals, thereby reducing or preventing the accumulation of various substances in one or more portions of the air conditioning system 100 while reducing or minimizing human intervention and / or effort expended to achieve the dispensing. Because the detergent dispensing system 1100 is configured to dispense the cleaning composition without human intervention (e.g., repeatedly at fixed time intervals), potential substances (e.g., mold, algae, mildew, bacteria, and / or fungi) can be reduced, removed, or prevented from accumulating in one or more portions of the air conditioning system 100 (e.g., in the condensate drain line 124, on one or more exterior surfaces of the heat exchanger 110, etc.). Thus, reducing, removing, or preventing accumulation of material in the air conditioning system 100 can improve the overall efficiency and / or performance of the air conditioning system 100, at least with respect to cooling the return air 106, and can further reduce or prevent the likelihood of backup and / or overflow of condensate 120, which could otherwise cause a shutdown of at least the air handler 102 and / or the air conditioning system 100, resulting in flooding damage to the air handler 102 and / or the structure in which the air handler 102 is located. Because no human intervention is required to dispense the cleaning composition, particularly repeatedly at regular intervals, the likelihood of such accumulation resulting in a significant reduction in air conditioning system performance and / or efficiency and / or damage to at least one of the air conditioning system 100 or the structure 1 due to a human operator missing or forgetting to manually dispense the cleaning composition is reduced or prevented, thereby improving the operational performance and / or efficiency of the air conditioning system 100 and reducing the workload of the human operator.

[0073] like Figure 1A and Figure 1B and Figures 2A to 2E As shown, the detergent dispensing system 1100 may include a detergent dispensing device 200 and a cartridge 300 configured to be coupled (e.g., detachably coupled) to the detergent dispensing device 200. As described herein, the detergent dispensing device 200 may include a dispenser device operable (e.g., actuated as a valve, operated as a pump, etc.) to dispense an amount of a cleaning composition through a device outlet of the detergent dispensing device 200, and the cartridge 300 may be operable to hold the cleaning composition within a cartridge reservoir 304 of the cartridge 300 and may also be operable to detachably couple with the detergent dispensing device 200 to provide the cleaning composition 230 held in the cartridge reservoir 304 to the dispenser device of the detergent dispensing device 200.

[0074] See also Figure 1A and Figure 1B and Figures 2A to 2D The cleaning agent dispensing device 200 is used to dispense (also referred to herein as supply, pump, drive, etc.) a cleaning composition 230 through the device outlet 240 based on the operation of the dispenser device 208, wherein the cleaning composition 230 to be dispensed by the dispenser device 208 can be received at the inlet 208i of the dispenser device 208 from the box reservoir 304 of the box 300 detachably connected to the cleaning agent dispensing device 200.

[0075] See also Figures 2A to 2E The cleaning agent dispensing device 200 may include a housing 201 that at least partially defines the interior of the cleaning agent dispensing device 200, a device reservoir 202 (which may be at least partially defined by the housing 201) that at least partially accommodates and holds a cartridge 300 configured to hold a cleaning composition 230 therein, a device outlet 240, an internal reservoir 206, and a dispenser device 208, the dispenser device 208 being configured to be actuated (e.g., operated) to selectively dispense (e.g., a specific amount, which may be a specific volume and / or a specific mass) a cleaning composition 230 from an inlet 208i of the dispenser device 208 (the inlet 208i of the dispenser device 208 may be open, e.g., directly exposed to the internal reservoir 206) via an outlet 208o of the dispenser device 208 (also interchangeably referred to as "pumping," "supplying," "providing," etc.) to the device outlet 240 extending through the housing 201.

[0076] like Figure 2A and 2BAs shown, the device reservoir 202 (which is at least partially defined by one or more surfaces of the housing 201) may include an inner surface 202S that at least partially defines an interior volume, and the cartridge 300 may be at least partially housed and retained in the interior volume. The device reservoir 202 may also include a device reservoir outlet 202A that is configured to be in fluid communication with the dispenser device 208 to enable the cleaning composition 230 to flow from the device reservoir 202 to the dispenser device 208 when the cartridge 300 is coupled to the detergent dispensing device 200. For example, the device reservoir outlet 202A may open to the internal reservoir 206, such that the device reservoir outlet 202A is configured to establish fluid communication from the device reservoir 202 to the inlet 208i of the dispenser device 208 via the internal reservoir 206. In some exemplary embodiments, when the cleaning agent dispensing device 200 omits the internal reservoir 206, the device reservoir outlet 202A may be open to the inlet 208i of the dispenser device 208 (e.g., directly, where the inlet 208i is the same as the device reservoir outlet 202A, or via a conduit), such that the device reservoir outlet 202A is configured to establish fluid communication from the device reservoir 202 to the inlet 208i of the dispenser device 208 through the internal reservoir 206.

[0077] Still refer to Figure 1A and 1B and Figures 2A to 2F According to some exemplary embodiments, a detergent dispensing system 1100 may include a detergent dispensing device 200 and a cartridge 300, also interchangeably referred to as a "detergent cartridge," "cleaning combination cartridge," or the like. In some exemplary embodiments, the detergent dispensing device 200 may be configured to receive and couple with the cartridge 300, which contains (e.g., holds) a cleaning composition 230 within a cartridge reservoir 304, such that a flow path is established between the cartridge reservoir 304 and the dispenser device 208. The cartridge 300 may be provided instead of the cleaning composition 230, with the cleaning composition 230 being poured into and held directly in the device reservoir 202 in contact with the inner surface 202S of the device reservoir 202. Because the cleaning composition 230 is held in a cartridge 300 coupled (e.g., removably coupled) to the detergent dispensing device 200 to position the cartridge reservoir 304 in at least fluid communication with the inlet 208i of the dispenser device 208, replenishment of the cleaning composition 230 held in the detergent dispensing device 200 can be simplified because replenishment of the total cleaning composition 230 held in the detergent dispensing system 1100 (e.g., in the detergent dispensing device 200) can involve replacing the cartridge 300 coupled (e.g., removably coupled) to the detergent dispensing device 200 upon insertion into the device reservoir 202, rather than directly pouring the cleaning composition 230 into the device reservoir 202. This simplification may include reducing or preventing accidental spillage of the cleaning composition 230 during replenishment.

[0078] like Figures 2A to 2F As shown, the cartridge 300 may include a cartridge housing 302 having at least an inner surface 302I that defines an interior volume that may at least partially be a cartridge reservoir 304. The cartridge reservoir 304 may hold the cleaning composition 230 therein, such that it can be understood that the inner surface 302I at least partially defines the cartridge reservoir 304. In some exemplary embodiments, the cartridge reservoir 304 may have a specific volume, such as 36 oz, and thus may be configured to hold a specific volume (e.g., 36 oz) of the cleaning composition 230.

[0079] As further shown, the size and shape of the device reservoir 202 and the box 300 can be such that the box 300 can be at least partially received (e.g., accommodated) in the device reservoir 202 to establish a sliding contact fit between the outer surface 302S of the box housing 302 and the inner surface 202S of the device reservoir 202, for example, such that when the box 300 is connected to the detergent dispensing device 200, the box 300 occupies all or substantially all of the internal volume space of the device reservoir 202.

[0080] like Figures 2A to 2E As shown, when the cartridge 300 is received in the device reservoir 202 and coupled (e.g., detachably coupled) to the detergent dispensing device 200, the cartridge 300 may have a larger volume than the device reservoir 202 and may protrude beyond the opening 202o of the device reservoir 202. This protrusion of the cartridge 300 may make it easier for a person to access the cartridge 300 to simplify replacement of the cartridge 300, but exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto: in some exemplary embodiments, when the cartridge 300 is coupled to the detergent dispensing device 200, the cartridge 300 may be completely located within the device reservoir 202.

[0081] like Figures 2A to 2E As shown, the detergent dispensing device 200 may include a device reservoir 202 for receiving a cartridge 300 so that the cartridge 300 is coupled to the detergent dispensing device 200, but exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, in some exemplary embodiments, the device reservoir 202 may not be present at all in the detergent dispensing device 200, and the cartridge 300 (e.g., its connector interface 314) may be coupled to a port (e.g., having a complementary connector interface 204) exposed on an outer surface of the housing 201 of the detergent dispensing device 200 to place the cartridge reservoir 304 in fluid communication with the dispenser device 208 (e.g., its inlet 208i).

[0082] As shown, the cartridge 300 can have a cartridge housing 302 defining a cartridge outlet 302A through which the cleaning composition 230 can exit the cartridge reservoir 304 when a flow path is established between the cartridge reservoir 304 and the dispenser device 208 (e.g., via the device reservoir outlet 202A, the internal reservoir 206, etc.).

[0083] The cartridge outlet 302A may include a connector interface 314 for establishing a connection with the detergent dispensing device 200, and the detergent dispensing device 200 (e.g., the device reservoir 202, the internal reservoir 206, the housing 201, or any combination thereof) may further include a complementary connector interface 204 to achieve a complementary connection with the cartridge 300, thereby removably coupling the cartridge 300 to the detergent dispensing device 200. The complementary connector interfaces 204 and 314 may include any known connector interfaces, such as a friction fit connector, a threaded connector, a bayonet connector, or any combination thereof, etc.

[0084] As further shown, at least one of the cartridge 300 or the detergent dispensing device 200 may include a one-way valve 306 that is configured to open upon coupling the detergent dispensing device 200 to the cartridge 300 (e.g., in response to establishing a threaded connection, a bayonet connection, a friction fit connection, etc., between the complementary connector interfaces 204 and 314 of the detergent dispensing device 200 and the cartridge 300). Figures 2A to 2D As shown, the one-way valve 306 can be a one-way valve 306a included in the detergent dispensing device 200 (e.g., coupled to the device reservoir outlet 202A, the internal reservoir 206, the connector interface 204, the device reservoir 202, the housing 101, the dispenser device 208, or any combination thereof, etc.), and the one-way valve 306 is configured to be selectively opened based on the cartridge 300 being detachably coupled to the detergent dispensing device 200 (e.g., via the connector interfaces 204 and 314) to establish fluid communication with the inlet 208i of the dispenser device 208 through the device reservoir outlet 202A. In another example, as Figures 2A to 2DThe one-way valve 306 may be a one-way valve 306b included in the cartridge 300 (e.g., coupled to the cartridge outlet 302A, the cartridge reservoir 304, the connector interface 314, the housing 201, or any combination thereof), and the one-way valve 306 is configured to selectively open to establish fluid communication from the cartridge reservoir 304 to the inlet 208i of the dispenser device 208 through the cartridge outlet 202A based on the cartridge 300 being coupled to the detergent dispensing apparatus 200 (e.g., detachably coupled via the connector interfaces 204 and 314). In another example, the one-way valves 306 and 306b may be separate portions of the one-way valve 306, the one-way valve 306 being coupled to the one-way valve 306b to form the one-way valve 306, and opening the same in response to the cartridge 300 being coupled to the detergent dispensing apparatus 200 (e.g., coupled via the connector interfaces 204 and 314). The one-way valve 306 can be used to be actuated in response to the cleaning agent dispensing device 200 being coupled to the cartridge 300 to open a flow path between the cartridge reservoir 304 and the device reservoir 202 and / or between the cartridge reservoir 304 and the dispenser device 208 and / or between the cartridge reservoir 304 and the internal reservoir 206, such that the cartridge reservoir 304 is in fluid communication with the dispenser device 208 (e.g., the inlet 208i) via the cartridge outlet 302A, the one-way valve 306, the device reservoir outlet 202A, etc.

[0085] In one example, the one-way valve 306 can be at least partially a part of the cartridge 300 (e.g., as one-way valve 306 b ), such that the one-way valve 306 is secured to the cartridge housing 302 (e.g., by an adhesive and / or the cartridge housing 302 is a plastic material (e.g., high-density polyethylene or HDPE) that at least partially surrounds the one-way valve 306 b . In another example, the one-way valve 306 can be at least partially a part of the detergent dispensing device 200 (e.g., as one-way valve 306 b ). a) such that the one-way valve 306 is secured to the housing 201 (e.g., by an adhesive and / or the housing 201 is a plastic material (e.g., high-density polyethylene or HDPE), the housing 201 being formed to at least partially enclose the one-way valve 306a. For example, in some example embodiments, the one-way valve 306 can be secured to the device reservoir 202 and / or the dispenser device 208 as the one-way valve 306a. The one-way valve 306 can be included in a connector (e.g., connector interface 204) for coupling with the cartridge 300 to establish a detachable coupling between the detergent dispensing device 200 and the cartridge 300. For example, the one-way valve 306 can be included in a threaded connector, a bayonet connector, a friction fit connector, or the like. In another example, the one-way valve 306 can be removably (e.g., detachably) coupled to the device reservoir 202, the housing 201, the internal reservoir 206, the connector interface 204, and / or the dispenser device 208 via a set of complementary connectors (e.g., threads, bayonet, etc.). The one-way valve 306 can be detached from the detergent dispensing device 200 and coupled to the cartridge 300 before the detergent dispensing device 200 is coupled to the cartridge 300. After the empty cartridge 300 is removed from the detergent dispensing device 200, the one-way valve 306 can be detached from the cartridge 300, and then before the full cartridge 300 is coupled to the detergent dispensing device 200, the one-way valve 306 can be attached to a new, full cartridge 300, so that the one-way valve 306 can be reused between different cartridges 300.

[0086] Accordingly, in some example embodiments, the cleaning agent dispensing device 200 (e.g., the device reservoir 202) may be configured to receive (e.g., at least partially accommodate) a cartridge 300 comprising a cartridge reservoir 304 configured to hold the cleaning composition 230 and a cartridge outlet 302A, and the cleaning agent dispensing device 200 may be configured to couple with the cartridge 300 (e.g., based on a detachable coupling of the respective complementary connector interfaces 204 and 314 of the cleaning agent dispensing device 200 and the cartridge 300) such that the cartridge reservoir 304 is in fluid communication (e.g., via an open flow channel) with at least the dispenser device 208 (e.g., its inlet 208i) via the cartridge outlet 302A. Furthermore, in some exemplary embodiments, the detergent dispensing apparatus 200 or cartridge 300 may include a one-way valve 306 configured to open in response to coupling the detergent dispensing apparatus 200 with the cartridge 300 to establish fluid communication between the cartridge reservoir 304 and at least the dispenser device 208 via the cartridge outlet 302A.

[0087] Still refer to Figures 2A to 2D The dispenser device 208 can be used to dispense (e.g., selectively dispense) a specific amount (e.g., a specific volume, a specific mass, etc.) of the cleaning composition 230, so that the detergent dispensing apparatus 200 can dispense the specific amount of cleaning composition 230 received through the inlet 208i through the outlet 208O (e.g., repeatedly at fixed time intervals). For example, in some exemplary embodiments, when the dispenser device 208 is operated once, the amount of cleaning composition 230 dispensed from the inlet 208i (e.g., from the internal reservoir 206, the device reservoir 202, and / or the cartridge reservoir 304 via the inlet 208i) described herein may be 3 oz of cleaning composition 230, and the dispenser device 208 may be configured to be operated (e.g., may be configured to operate at the controller 210 for a specific time period associated with dispensing the corresponding specific amount of cleaning composition 230) so that the specific amount of cleaning composition 230 is dispensed from the cartridge reservoir 304 of the cartridge 300 (e.g., through the internal reservoir 206) to the device outlet 240 to be dispensed to one or more portions of the air conditioning system 100.

[0088] like Figure 1A and Figure 1B and Figure 2A to Figure 2BAs shown, the device outlet 240 can be coupled to the condensate drain line 124 through its opening 125, and the device outlet 240 is coupled to a first end 291 of a conduit 290 having an opposite end 292 extending through the opening 125 of the condensate drain line 124, so that the device outlet 240 is in fluid communication with the condensate drain line 124, thereby dispensing the cleaning composition 230 through the device outlet 240 and thereby dispensing the cleaning composition 230 to the condensate drain line 124. However, exemplary embodiments are not limited in this regard, and in some exemplary embodiments, the device outlet 240 can be coupled in fluid communication with different portions of the air conditioning system 100, for example, the interior 192 of the air handler 102 is in fluid communication with one or more exterior surfaces of the heat exchanger 110 therein. For example, in some exemplary embodiments, the device outlet 240 is configured to extend through the housing 101 of the air handler 102 and into the interior of the air handler 102 and further includes a spray nozzle located at a distal end thereof, and the dispenser device 208 is a pump (e.g., a positive displacement pump, a gear pump, etc.) that is configured to operate to pump the cleaning composition through the device outlet 240 to be sprayed into the interior of the air handler 102 to contact one or more exterior surfaces of the heat exchanger 110.

[0089] In some exemplary embodiments, the detergent dispensing device 200 includes a structural connector 220 for connecting the detergent dispensing device 200 to an external structure (e.g., the housing 101 of the air handler 102 as shown) to at least partially secure the detergent dispensing device 200 relative to at least a portion of the air conditioning system 100 (e.g., relative to the opening 125 of the condensate drain line 124, the air handler 102, etc.). The structural connector 220 can have various structures. For example, the structural connector 220 can include an adhesive connector, a magnet, etc. that couples to the housing 101 of the air handler 102.

[0090] In some exemplary embodiments, the dispenser device 208 may include at least one valve configured to be actuated to selectively open (e.g., selectively open a flow path through the at least one valve) based on a control signal generated by the controller 210 to establish a flow path through the at least one valve, and the cleaning composition 230 may flow through the flow path (e.g., a flow path from the internal device reservoir 206 to the device outlet 240). For example, the valves of the dispenser device 208 described herein may include electromechanically operated valves, including solenoid valves, that may be selectively actuated based on a control signal from the controller 210. In some exemplary embodiments, the dispenser device 208 may include any known positive displacement pump, gear pump, etc., configured to operate within a specific time period to move an amount of the cleaning composition 230 from an inlet 208i in fluid communication with the device reservoir 202, the cartridge reservoir 304, the internal reservoir 206, etc., to an outlet 208o in fluid communication with the device outlet 240 based on a control signal generated by the controller 210.

[0091] As described herein, the cleaning composition 230 can be any known chemical composition (e.g., a solution, liquid, fluid, etc.) that can be used to clean (e.g., remove) potential accumulation of matter (e.g., mold, algae, mildew, bacteria, and / or fungi) from the exterior surface 110 of the heat exchanger 110 of the air handler 102. In some exemplary embodiments, the cleaning composition 230 can be a chemical substance that is or includes a chelating aid (e.g., a chelating agent) such as sodium hexametaphosphate, which is used to remove potential accumulation of matter from one or more parts of the air conditioning system based on chelation upon contact with the potential accumulation of matter. For example, the cleaning composition 230 can be a liquid solution comprising 3%-7% sodium hexametaphosphate, based on the total weight of the cleaning composition 230. Based on the fact that the detergent dispensing device 200 is configured to dispense the cleaning composition 230 to one or more parts of the air conditioning system 100, the detergent dispensing device 200 can be configured to dispense the cleaning composition 230 to one or more parts of the air conditioning system 100 so as to remove potential accumulated substances (e.g., mold, algae, mildew, bacteria and / or fungi) from one or more parts of the air conditioning system 100, thereby reducing or preventing backflow and / or overflow of the condensate drain pipe 124 due to blockage, reducing or preventing the heat transfer performance of the heat exchanger 110 from being reduced due to potential accumulation, etc.

[0092] like Figures 2A to 2DAs shown, the detergent dispensing device 200 may include a power supply 212 for supplying power to the devices included therein, including the controller 210, the dispenser device 208, the network communication interface 224, or the sensor, etc. As shown, the power supply 212 may include a battery 214, and the battery 214 may include any known rechargeable battery (e.g., a lithium-ion battery). Further, in some example embodiments, the power supply 212 may include a wired power connection 216, which may be used to connect to a power outlet provided at the structure 1 and / or the air handler 102. The power supply 212 may also include a charging circuit 218, which may be used to charge the battery 214 from the wired power connection 216, and the charging circuit 218 may be used to power the battery 214 when it is not receiving power through the wired power connection 216 to operate the detergent dispensing device 200.

[0093] like Figures 2A to 2D As shown, the controller 210 can be used to operate (e.g., actuate) the dispenser device 208 so that a specific amount of the cleaning composition 230 is dispensed from the inlet 208i (e.g., from the device reservoir 202, the internal reservoir 206, and / or the cartridge reservoir 304 through the inlet 208i) and through the device outlet 240 (e.g., via the outlet 208O) without manual intervention. For example, the controller 210 can be used to generate and send an electrical signal to the dispenser device 208 to cause the dispenser device 208 to operate (e.g., actuate a valve of the dispenser device 208 from a closed position to an open position) for a period of time (e.g., a specific time, or alternatively, a predetermined period of time) to dispense the specific amount of the cleaning composition 230 from the inlet 208i to the outlet 208O.

[0094] The controller 210 may include a memory (e.g., a solid state drive or SSD) that stores an instruction program, and the controller 210 may include a processor (e.g., a central processing unit or CPU) for executing the instruction program to implement the functions of the controller 210, the detergent dispensing device 200, or any part thereof according to any example embodiment. However, the exemplary embodiments are not limited to this. For example, in some exemplary embodiments, the controller 210 may include a circuit for implementing a timer circuit (e.g., a clock, a timer, or any combination thereof), the circuit for generating a signal to operate the dispenser device 208 based on the timer circuit counting a specific time interval. It will be understood that where the detergent dispensing device 200 is described herein as performing or being used to perform any operation, the controller 210 may be used to implement and / or control one or more parts, devices, elements, etc. of the detergent dispensing device 200 (e.g., based on executing the instruction program) so that the detergent dispensing device 200 performs any operation according to any example embodiment.

[0095] In some exemplary embodiments, the controller 210 is configured to operate the dispenser device 208 so that the dispenser device 208 dispenses (e.g., provides) an amount of the cleaning composition 230 to one or more portions of the air conditioning system 100 through the device outlet 240. In some exemplary embodiments, the controller 210 may be configured to generate a signal to cause at least a portion of the dispenser device 208 to operate (e.g., actuate) to dispense the cleaning composition 230 for a specific time period therein, the specific time period being associated with the controller 210 causing the dispenser device 208 to dispense a specific amount of the cleaning composition 230. The controller 210 may dispense the specific amount of the cleaning composition 230 based on accessing a lookup table stored in a memory of the controller 210, wherein the lookup table is empirically generated and correlates a time at which the dispenser device operates (e.g., a time at which a control signal is generated) at least a portion of the dispenser device 208 to dispense (e.g., selectively dispense) a corresponding amount of the cleaning composition 230. The controller 210 can determine a specific amount of cleaning composition 230 to be dispensed, access a lookup table to determine a corresponding duration or period of time for a control signal to be applied to the dispenser device 208, and then generate a control signal to be sent to the dispenser device 208 to cause at least a portion of the dispenser device 208 to operate for the corresponding duration or period of time.

[0096] In some exemplary embodiments, the controller 210 is configured to operate the dispenser device 208 so that an amount (e.g., 3 oz) of the cleaning composition 230 is dispensed in response to the passage of a specific time period (e.g., 7 days or 168 hours). The controller 210 can be configured to repeatedly operate the dispenser device 208 upon repeated passage of the specific time period, which can be referred to as a "fixed time interval" (e.g., a fixed time interval of 7 days). In some exemplary embodiments, the device reservoir 202, the cartridge reservoir 304, and / or the internal reservoir 206 can be configured to hold a total volume of 36 oz, such that the detergent dispensing device 200 can be configured to dispense 3 oz of the cleaning composition 230 through the device outlet 240 every 7 days for 12 weeks (84 days).

[0097] The controller 210 may be configured to repeatedly operate the dispenser device 208 at fixed time intervals (e.g., 7 days) based on monitoring a timer that increments a timer value at a fixed frequency, operating the dispenser device 208 in response to the timer value reaching a specific time value corresponding to the passage of a specific time period, and resetting the timer value to an initial timer value (e.g., 0 days) in response to operating the dispenser device 208. For example, the controller 210 may include and / or implement a clock and / or timer that counts the elapsed time period at a fixed frequency (e.g., counting days, hours, minutes, and / or seconds at a fixed frequency) from an initial timer value (e.g., incrementing from 0 days). In response to determining that a threshold timer value has been reached (e.g., a timer value corresponding to a specific time period and / or a fixed time interval of 7 days), the controller 210 may generate a signal to operate the dispenser device 208 for at least a specific (e.g., predetermined) time period to dispense an amount (e.g., a specific amount) of the cleaning composition 230 through the device outlet 240 via the outlet 208O, and further reset the timer value so that the controller 210 may subsequently cause the dispenser device 208 to dispense another amount of the cleaning composition 230 after the specific time period has again elapsed. The controller 210 may be configured to repeatedly perform this process as long as power is supplied to the controller 210 (e.g., from the power supply 212), such that the process may be performed (e.g., repeatedly performed at fixed time intervals) without human intervention.

[0098] In some example embodiments, the controller 210 is configured to implement a counter that increments from an initial counter value (e.g., 0) in response to each operation of the dispenser device 208. As a result, if the controller 210 repeatedly operates the dispenser device 208 at fixed time intervals, the controller 210 can track the number (quantity) of dispensed cleaning compositions 230 (e.g., the number of dispenser device 208 operations) over time, starting from the initial counter value (e.g., a zero value, such as zero (0)). Thus, where the detergent dispensing apparatus 200 and / or the detergent dispensing system 1100 is configured to hold a specific total amount of cleaning composition 230 (e.g., 36 oz) (e.g., in the cartridge reservoir 304), and where the counter value is (re)set to an initial counter value (e.g., a zero value) prior to commencing dispensing of the cleaning composition 230 received at the dispenser device 208 from the cartridge reservoir 304 of the cartridge 300, the controller 210 may track the counter value to determine when the total amount of the cleaning composition 230 held in the cartridge reservoir 304 is about to be depleted or is depleted, and the controller 210 may generate a signal (e.g., an exhaustion signal) in response to the counter value reaching a threshold counter value, the threshold counter value corresponding to partial or complete (e.g., total, final, etc.) exhaustion of the cleaning composition 230 held in the cartridge reservoir 304.

[0099] For example, when the cartridge reservoir 304 of the cartridge 300 is configured to hold a specific total amount of cleaning composition 230 of 36 oz, and the controller 210 is configured to cause the dispenser device 208 to dispense 3 oz of cleaning composition 230 at a fixed time interval of 7 days, the total amount of cleaning composition 230 held in the cartridge reservoir 304 may be sufficient to complete 12 dispensings (e.g., 12 dispensing operations of the dispenser device 208 under the control of the controller 210). The controller 210 may store a threshold counter value of 10, 11, or 12 corresponding to partial depletion, near depletion, or complete depletion of the total amount of cleaning composition 230 held in the cartridge reservoir 304 of the cartridge 300. The controller 210 may implement and / or monitor a counter that increments the counter value in response to each operation of the dispenser device 208 and generates (e.g., generates and / or sends) a signal in response to the counter value reaching a specific threshold counter value corresponding to at least partial depletion (e.g., 10, 11, or 12) of the cleaning composition in the cartridge reservoir 304. As described herein, the controller 210 can send such a signal to a display interface (e.g., an LED, an audio speaker) that can be included in the detergent dispensing apparatus 200, or can be included in a remote computing device to provide a warning indication. The controller 210 can also or alternatively be configured to cause a signal to be sent to the computing device 700 (e.g., via the network communication interface 224 and the network communication link 702 as herein) to notify a remote human user supported by the computing device 700 of the partial or complete depletion (e.g., eventual depletion) of the total amount of the cleaning composition 230 maintained in the cartridge reservoir 304 of the cartridge 300. The human user can then be notified of the partial or complete depletion so that the human user can take action to replenish the cleaning composition maintained in the detergent dispensing system 1100 (e.g., based on disassembling the depleted cartridge 300 and replacing it with a new, full cartridge 300 that is coupled to the detergent dispensing apparatus 200).

[0100] Furthermore, the controller 210 may be configured to reset the counter value to an initial counter value (eg, 0) in response to receiving a signal from the computing device 700 , such as a reset signal, an unlock signal as described herein, or the like.

[0101] If at least Figures 2A to 2DAs shown, the cleaning agent dispensing device 200 may include an electrical switch device 1280, which may include structure that extends into the device reservoir 202 (e.g., through and / or into a portion of the connector interface 204), and when the connector interface (e.g., connector interface 314) of the cartridge 300 is coupled with the connector interface (e.g., connector interface 204) of the cleaning agent dispensing device 200, the electrical switch device 1280 may be configured to engage and move from a switched-on position to a switched-off position with the aid of at least a portion of the cartridge 300. In some exemplary embodiments, when the cartridge 300 is received in the device reservoir 202, the electrical switch device 1280 may be configured to engage and move from a switched-on position to a switched-off position with the aid of at least a portion of the cartridge 300, such that at least a portion of the outer surface 302S of the cartridge 300 engages at least a portion of the electrical switch device 1280, and the electrical switch device 1280 may extend into the device reservoir 202 through at least a portion of the inner surface 202S. When the electrical switching device 1280 is moved to the switched-off position, the electrical switching device 1280 can be used to close the circuit including the controller 210, thereby causing an electrical signal to be received at the controller 210. The controller 210 can be used to apply power to the circuit and, in response to determining that the circuit including the electrical switching device 1280 is closed, causing an electrical signal (e.g., an induced current) to be present in the circuit, determine that the cartridge 300 is coupled to the detergent dispensing device 200. The controller 210 can be used to selectively enable or disable (e.g., unlock or lock) operation of at least a portion of the washer dispensing device 200, including operation of the dispenser device 208, based on determining whether the cartridge 300 is coupled to the washer dispensing device 200 (e.g., based on receiving an electrical signal via the circuit including the electrical switching device 1280 to determine that the circuit is closed due to the cartridge 300 being coupled to the washer dispensing device 200 by moving the electrical switching device 1280 to the switched-off position). As described herein, selectively enabling or disabling the at least one dispenser device 208 of the detergent dispensing apparatus 200 may be interchangeably referred to as selectively enabling or disabling the detergent dispensing apparatus 200 , respectively.

[0102] Still refer to Figures 2A to 2D , the cleaning agent dispensing device 200 may include a network communication interface 224 communicatively coupled to the controller 210. It should be understood that the network communication interface 224 may be separate from the controller 210 as shown, or may be included in and / or implemented by the controller 210. The network communication interface 224 may be any known network communication transceiver, including a wireless network communication transceiver, such as a WI-FI transceiver, a 5G cellular network communication transceiver, an ad hoc network communication transceiver, such as transceiver or any combination thereof, etc.

[0103] The controller 210 can be used to establish a network communication link 702 (which can be a wired network communication link, a wireless network communication link, an ad hoc wireless network communication link, etc.) with a computing device 700 as described herein (also interchangeably referred to as a remote computing device), and can communicate with the computing device 700 in one direction or two directions via the network communication link 702.

[0104] In some exemplary embodiments, the controller 210 may transmit signals over the network communication link that indicate the operation of the controller 210 (e.g., indicating the operation of the dispenser device 208 at a particular point in time, a current timer value, a current counter value, etc.). In some exemplary embodiments, the controller 210 may transmit (e.g., send) one or more signals (e.g., a final exhaustion signal generated in response to a counter value reaching a final exhaustion threshold) to the computing device 700 over the network communication link 702.

[0105] In some example embodiments, the controller 210 may be configured to perform an operation in response to receiving a signal from the computing device 700 via the network communication link 702. For example, the controller 210 may be configured to reset a counter value of a counter of the detergent dispensing device 200 to an initial counter value (e.g., 0) in response to receiving a reset signal and / or an unlock signal from a remote computing device via the network communication link (the reset signal and / or the unlock signal is sent by the remote computing device in response to authentication of a new cartridge 300 that is or will be coupled to the detergent dispensing device 200).

[0106] Still refer to Figures 2A to 2D In some example embodiments, the detergent dispensing system 1100 (e.g., the detergent dispensing apparatus 200) can be communicatively coupled to the computing device 700 via a network communication link 702. In some example embodiments, the network communication interface 224 (e.g., a wireless network communication transceiver) is used to establish a network communication link with the computing device 700. The computing device 700 can be used to support a human user.

[0107] As shown, the computing device 700 may include a processor 720 (e.g., a CPU), a memory 730 (e.g., an SSD), a power source 740 (e.g., a rechargeable battery), a network communication interface 750 (e.g., a wireless network communication transceiver), and an interface 760. The computing device 700 may include a display device (e.g., an LED display panel, an OLED display panel, etc.), buttons, a touch screen display device, or any combination thereof, which are communicatively coupled and / or electrically coupled via a bus connection 710. Further, the computing device 700 may include one or more detection devices 770, which may be controlled to enable detection of the cartridge indicator 370 of the cartridge 300. Although exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto, the computing device 700 shown may be physically separate from the detergent dispensing apparatus 200 (e.g., remote, external, etc.) and may be communicatively coupled to the detergent dispensing apparatus 200 via a network communication link 702. The computing device 700 may include a mobile electronic device for supporting a human user, such as a smartphone, a mobile computing device, a laptop computer, a notebook computer, etc. The computing device 700 described herein is configured to implement any of the functions of the computing device 700 described herein based on the computing device 700 implementing an instruction program (e.g., based on its processor 720 executing an instruction program stored in the memory 730), which instruction program may be referred to as an "application program," "app," etc. Such an "application program" or "app" implemented by the computing device 700 to implement any of the functions of the computing device 700 described herein may be referred to as a "drain cleaner control application," a "drain cleaner authentication and control application," an "application" associated with the drain cleaner system 1100, etc.

[0108] At least some of the computing device 700 (also interchangeably referred to as computing device 700) includes, for example, a processor 720, memory 730, a network communication interface 750, one or more detection devices 770, or any combination thereof. At least some of the computing device 700 may be included in one or more instances (e.g., items, segments, units, etc.) of processing circuitry, such as hardware including logic circuitry, or a combination thereof, and / or may be implemented by one or more instances (e.g., items, segments, units, etc.), such as hardware including logic circuitry, or a combination thereof. For example, processing circuitry may more specifically include, but is not limited to, a central processing unit (CPU), an arithmetic logic unit (ALU), a digital signal processor, a microcomputer, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a system on a chip (SoC), a programmable logic unit, a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or any other device capable of responding to and executing instructions in a defined manner. It should be understood that any type of non-transitory computer-readable storage device, in addition to an SSD, may be used as the memory 730, or may replace an SSD. In some exemplary embodiments, the processing circuitry may include a non-transitory computer-readable storage device, or memory (e.g., memory 730), such as a solid-state drive (SSD), storing a program of instructions, and a processor (e.g., processor 720), communicatively coupled to the non-transitory computer-readable storage device (e.g., via bus connection 710) and configured to execute the program of instructions to implement some or all of the functionality of the device and / or the mechanisms of any exemplary embodiment and / or implement some or all of the mechanisms of the method of any exemplary embodiment. It should be understood that, as used herein, an element (e.g., processing circuitry, digital circuitry, any portion of computing device 700) will be understood to implement the functionality of an element (e.g., functionality of computing device 700).

[0109] As shown, the network communication interface 224 of the detergent dispensing device 200 can be used to establish a network communication link 702 with the computing device 700 (e.g., the network communication interface 750), and can be used to implement unidirectional or bidirectional communication between the detergent dispensing device 200 and the computing device 700. Figure 2A and Figure 2CAs shown, the network communication interface 224 can also be communicatively coupled to a controller 140 of at least a portion of the air conditioning system 100 (e.g., the controller 140 of the air handler 102) via a network communication link (which can be a wired, wireless, and / or ad hoc network communication link). In some exemplary embodiments, the controller 210 can be configured to generate a shutdown signal and transmit (e.g., send) the shutdown signal to the controller 140 via the network communication interface 224 and the network communication link, causing the controller 140 to shut down at least a portion of the air conditioning system 100 (e.g., shut down the operation of at least one air handler 102). In some exemplary embodiments, the controller 210 can generate the shutdown signal and transmit the shutdown signal to the controller 140 via the network communication link 702 in response to one or more of receiving a shutdown command signal from the computing device 700 via the network communication link 702, determining that a final depletion threshold associated with the cartridge 300 coupled to the detergent dispensing device 200 has been reached, or any combination thereof.

[0110] Still refer to Figures 2A to 2D In some example embodiments, computing device 700 may be communicatively coupled to a remote system 800 (also referred to herein as a remote computing network, a cloud computing network, a remote network service, etc.) via a network communication link 802. Remote system 800 may be implemented by a separate remote computing device 810. In some example embodiments, computing device 700 (also referred to herein as a computing device, a user device, an end-user device, a user computing device, an end-user computing device, an electronic device, etc.) may include a network communication interface 750 (e.g., a wireless network communication transceiver) for establishing a network communication link 802 with remote system 800, including establishing a network communication link 802 with a remote computing device 810 that at least partially supports and / or implements remote system 800. Remote system 800 may be a computing network, a cloud computing network, etc. that is at least partially implemented and / or supported by remote computing device 810. In some example embodiments, remote computing device 810 may be used to support a human user.

[0111] As described herein, a remote system 800 implemented at least in part by a remote computing device 810 can be used to manage user accounts 734 associated with one or more various detergent dispensing systems 1100 (including user accounts 734 associated with one or more various detergent dispensing devices 200), manage a database of trusted cartridge identifier codes 774 that can be associated with (e.g., can uniquely identify) various "trusted" cartridges 300 that can be provided to human users and removably coupled to detergent dispensing devices 200 to provide cleaning compositions 230 to be dispensed by the detergent dispensing devices 200. The remote system 800 can also be used to order the ordering, purchase, and / or shipment (referred to herein as "ordering," etc.) of one or more cartridges 300 associated with one or more user accounts, including ordering one or more cartridges 300 to be shipped to a physical mailing address that can be associated with a detergent dispensing device 200 (e.g., a physical mailing address associated with a user account 734 that is further associated with the user account 734). Thus, the remote system 800 can enable delivery of a new, authentic cartridge 300 having a full or substantially full cartridge reservoir 304 filled or substantially full with cleaning composition 230 to enable replacement of an exhausted cartridge 300 at the detergent dispensing device 200 associated with the user account 734. An "authentic" cartridge 300 as described herein can refer to a cartridge 300 that is known to be manufactured for use in a detergent dispensing system 1100 and is known not to have been previously coupled to any detergent dispensing device 200 of the detergent dispensing system 1100. Each trusted cartridge 300 can be associated with a specific “trusted” cartridge identifier code 774 stored in a database, wherein dispensing operations of the detergent dispensing apparatus 200 (e.g., operation of at least the dispenser device 208) can be selectively enabled (e.g., “unlocked”), thereby selectively enabling operation of at least the dispenser device 208 of the detergent dispensing apparatus 200 based on determining that the cartridge 300 is associated with a specific trusted cartridge identifier code 774 stored in the database, thereby providing a “trusted” cartridge 300 to be coupled (or already coupled) to the detergent dispensing apparatus 200. Such selective enabling (e.g., selective unlocking) of at least the dispenser device 208 of the detergent dispensing device 200 based on authentication of a cartridge 300 that is coupled or provided to be coupled to the detergent dispensing device 200 can improve the performance of the detergent dispensing system 1100 because the likelihood of the detergent dispensing device 200 dispensing an “untrusted” cleaning composition 230 from the cartridge 300 or dispensing a cleaning composition 230 from a cartridge 300 having a partially depleted cartridge reservoir 304 is reduced due to the previously provided cleaning composition to be dispensed by a separate detergent dispensing device 200.

[0112] In some exemplary embodiments, the computing device 700 and / or the remote system 800 can create and / or maintain a user account 734 (also referred to as a user account entry) that can associate at least one user (e.g., a human user and / or an entity) and / or its user information with at least one specific detergent dispensing device 200. For example, the detergent dispensing device 200 can include device identification information 280 (e.g., a specific alphanumeric code) on the controller 210 (e.g., stored in its memory) that uniquely identifies the detergent dispensing device 200. The computing device 700 may be configured to obtain the device identity information 280 from the detergent dispensing device 200 based on communication with the controller 210 of the detergent dispensing device 200 via the network communication link 702, and associate the device identity information 280 with a user account 734, wherein the user account 734 includes user information 736 that may identify (e.g., a unique identifier) ​​at least one user (e.g., a name, a physical mailing address, purchasing information, etc.), such that the device identity information 280 is included in the user account information 738 of the user account 734. Accordingly, it should be understood that based on the device identity information 280 associated with the detergent dispensing device 200 included in the user account information 738 of the user account 734, the user account 734 and / or any of its user account information 738 (e.g., a physical mailing address included in the user information 736 of the user account 734) may be associated with the detergent dispensing device 200, and the detergent dispensing device 200 may be associated with the user account 734.

[0113] In some exemplary embodiments, the user account information 738 may include information identifying one or more cartridges 300 that have been authenticated via the device enable command signal and used to selectively enable ("unlock") the detergent dispensing device 200, thereby providing a record of trusted cartridges 300 used in association with the user account 734. Such information that may be included in the user account information 738 may include a specific cartridge identifier code 374 detected and associated with the cartridge 300 that is determined to match a trusted cartridge identifier code 774 described herein.

[0114] The computing device 700 may also receive user information 736 through user interaction with the interface 760, information received from a remote source (e.g., from the remote system 800 via the network communication link 802) via the network communication interface 750 over a network communication link, etc. Such user information 736 may include information indicating a user name associated with the user, a physical mailing address associated with the user, user purchasing information associated with the user, such as credit card information (e.g., one or more credit card numbers), bank account information, etc. In response to receiving an alert signal from a detergent dispensing device 200 linked to the computing device 700 via the network communication link 702 and / or associated with a user account 734 indicated by the device identity information 280 included in the user account 734, the user information 736 may include information indicating whether to authorize automatic (e.g., without manual user intervention) ordering and / or purchasing of additional cartridges. The computing device 700 can create and / or update a user account 734 that associates the device identity information 280 with the user information 736 to establish user account information 738 for the user account 734 that includes the device identity information 280 and the user information 736. The user account information 738 associated with the user account 734 (including the information 280 and / or 736) can be understood as user account information for the user account 734, user account information included in the user account 734, etc. The user account 734 can be used to use purchase information (also interchangeably referred to as user financial information) in the user information 736 of the user account 734, such as credit card information, to selectively control the detergent dispensing device 200 associated with the user account 734, purchase a cartridge 300, and / or ship the cartridge 300 to an address indicated in the user information 736 of the user account 734, etc. The computing device 700 can store the user account 734 and its user account information 738 locally on the computing device 700.

[0115] In some example embodiments, the computing device 700 may transmit a user account 734 and / or any user account information 738 thereof (e.g., information indicating the user account 734 and the user account information 738 associated therewith) to the remote system 800. As a result, the user account 734 and associated information (which may be understood as information included in the user account), including at least a portion of the device identity information 280 and the user information 736, may be stored on the remote system 800 (e.g., a memory of a remote computing device 810 that at least partially supports and / or implements the remote system 800). In some example embodiments, the user account information (e.g., the information 280 and / or 736 associated with a given user account 734) may be updated, modified, etc. in the remote system 800, and the updated user account 734 information may be provided to the computing device 700 via the network communication link 802 to enable the computing device 700 to update the corresponding user account 734 stored locally on the computing device 700. In some exemplary embodiments, the computing device 700 may transmit the received apparatus identity information 280 and user information 736 to the remote system 800, where the remote system 800 may create and / or update the user account 734 in the remote system 800 based on the information received from the remote device, rather than the computing device 700 maintaining the user account information 738 in the computing device 700.

[0116] In some example embodiments, the computing device 700 may be configured to cause the remote system 800 to perform one or more operations associated with a particular user account 734 based on communications between the computing device 700 and the remote system 800 via the network communication link 802. For example, the computing device 700 may transmit an order command signal to the remote system 800 via the network communication link 802, wherein the order command signal may include information identifying the particular user account 734 (e.g., at least a portion of the user account information 738, such as including a physical mailing address, purchase information, etc.), and may include a command to purchase and / or order (hereinafter referred to as "order") at least one cartridge 300 to be shipped to a physical mailing address associated with the user account 734 (e.g., a physical mailing address included in the user information 736 of the user account 734), and thus, to a mailing address associated with at least one particular detergent dispensing device 200 associated with the user account 734. The remote system 800 can be used to create and / or execute an order (e.g., a purchase order and / or a delivery order) in response to receiving such an order command signal, which order results in the purchase and / or ordering of one or more boxes 300 using purchasing information (e.g., credit card information) associated with the user account 734 and delivering it to the physical mailing address associated with the user account 734, thereby being associated with the detergent dispensing device 200, which is also associated with the user account 734.

[0117] Further as 1A and Figure 1B and Figures 2A to 2F As shown, each cartridge 300 may include a cartridge indicator 370 for indicating a specific cartridge identifier code 374 associated with the specific cartridge 300, e.g., based on the cartridge indicator 370 providing a visible pattern 392 and / or transmitting a signal representing cartridge information 372 that can be processed to detect the specific cartridge identifier code 374. Thus, the cartridge indicator 370 may be understood as providing cartridge information 372 that can identify (e.g., uniquely identify) a specific cartridge 300, including, for example, providing cartridge information 372 that can be processed by the computing device 700 to detect the specific cartridge identifier code 374 that can uniquely identify the specific cartridge 300 that includes the specific cartridge indicator 370. For example, the cartridge indicator 370 may be configured to provide cartridge information 372, e.g., in the form of a visible pattern, an emitted signal, etc., that can be processed to detect the specific cartridge identifier code 374 associated with (e.g., uniquely associated with) the cartridge 300. The specific cartridge identifier code 374 may be an alphanumeric code, a data code, etc.

[0118] The cartridge indicator 370 can be one of the various types of indicators, indicator devices, etc. described herein. In some exemplary embodiments, the cartridge indicator 370 includes Figure 1A and Figure 1B 、 Figure 2E and Figure 2FIn the exemplary embodiment shown, the cartridge indicator 370 may include a device that is at least partially visible on the outer surface 302S of the cartridge 300, wherein at least the visible portion of the cartridge indicator 370 may present cartridge information 372 in the form of a visible pattern 392 that, when processed, may indicate a particular cartridge identifier code 374. For example, the cartridge indicator 370 may include a visible pattern 392 that is visible on the outer surface 302S of the cartridge 300, wherein the visible pattern (e.g., an image of the visible pattern 392) may be processed to detect a particular cartridge identifier code 374 associated with the cartridge 300. The device including the cartridge indicator 370 may include a sticker, label, or the like that is positioned on (e.g., adhered by any known adhesive or bonding agent) the outer surface 302S of the cartridge 300 and that displays cartridge information 372 in the form of a visible pattern 392 that is printed on the outer surface 302S of the cartridge 300 based on ink deposited on the outer surface 302S of the cartridge 300 and / or based on a visible pattern 392 formed in the outer surface 302S of the cartridge 300 due to patterning of the outer surface 302S (e.g., etching, laser etching, etc. of the outer surface 302S). The visible pattern 392 of cartridge information 372 may represent cartridge information 372 that includes a machine-readable code that, when processed, indicates a specific cartridge identification code 374 associated with a specific cartridge 300 that includes a specific cartridge indicator 370. The machine-readable code can be obtained by a separate device (e.g., computing device 700) based on the separate device generating (e.g., capturing) an image of a visible pattern and processing the image of the visible pattern, so that the separate device can obtain (e.g., detect, identify, etc.) the specific cartridge identifier code 374 based on processing the code represented by the cartridge information 372. For example, the visible pattern 392 can be a barcode, such as a Quick Response (QR) code, which can be processed based on the separate device capturing and processing the image of the visible pattern to obtain (e.g., identify) the specific cartridge identifier code 374 associated with the specific cartridge 300 including the specific cartridge indicator 370. As described herein, when signals, information, etc. are described as "indicating" certain information, codes, etc., it should be understood that computing devices, controllers, computing device-supported systems, etc., as described herein, can be used to process signals, information, etc. to detect, determine, or identify specific information, codes, etc. It should also be understood that in some example embodiments, the cartridge information 372 and the specific cartridge identifier code 374 can be the same, such that the specific cartridge identifier code 374 can be detected based on simply obtaining and processing the cartridge information 372.It should be understood that the visible pattern 392 may be described as representing the box information 372, but in some example embodiments, the visible pattern 392 and the box information 372 may be the same as each other and may interchangeably refer to information provided (e.g., sent, displayed, etc.) by the box indicator 370 to indicate a specific box identifier code 374 associated with the box 300 including the box indicator.

[0119] In some example embodiments, the cartridge indicator 370 may include a wireless communication interface device configured to transmit a signal indicating (e.g., including, that can be processed to obtain, etc.) cartridge information 372. For example, the cartridge indicator 370 of the cartridge 300 may include a near field communication (NFC) device configured to transmit a signal (e.g., an NFC signal) in response to an NFC field received by an NFC device (e.g., an RF field generated by an NFC antenna of a separate device). The transmitted NFC signal may represent the cartridge information 372, which may be processed to detect a specific cartridge identifier code 374 associated with the specific cartridge 300 including the specific cartridge indicator 370. The NFC signal may be received and processed by a separate device (e.g., computing device 700) to enable the separate device to obtain (e.g., detect, identify, etc.) the specific cartridge identifier code 374 associated with (e.g., uniquely associated with) the specific cartridge 300 including the cartridge indicator 370. Such a cartridge indicator 370 including an NFC device may be partially or completely shielded from exposure to the exterior of the cartridge 300, thereby reducing the risk of removal, modification, and / or replacement of the cartridge indicator 370.

[0120] Different cartridges 300 may include separate, respective cartridge indicators 370, each cartridge indicator configured to provide different (e.g., unique) cartridge information 372 indicating a different (e.g., unique) specific cartridge identifier code associated (e.g., uniquely associated) with the separate, respective cartridge 300 including the separate cartridge indicator 370. Thus, each separate cartridge indicator 370 of each separate cartridge 300 may be used to identify (e.g., uniquely identify) the cartridge 300 in, at, and / or on which the cartridge indicator 370 is included. As a result, each cartridge 300 may be configured to be uniquely identified based on obtaining the cartridge information 372 from the cartridge indicator 370 of the cartridge 300 and processing the cartridge information 372 to detect the specific cartridge identifier code 374 specifically indicated by the cartridge indicator 370, such as, for example, generating and processing an image of a visible pattern 392 representing at least a portion of the cartridge indicator 370 that is externally visible (e.g., visible on the exterior of the cartridge 300), based on communication with the cartridge indicator 370.

[0121] At least Figure 1A and Figure 1B as well as Figures 2A to 2DAs shown, the computing device 700 may include one or more detection devices 770 that can be used to obtain 790 and process the box information 372 provided by the box indicator 370 (e.g., indicate, display, send, etc.) to detect the specific box identifier code 374 indicated by the box information 372 (and therefore, indicated by the box indicator 370 and therefore associated with the box 300 including the box indicator 370), so that the computing device 700 can be used to detect the specific box identifier code 374 associated with the box 300 based on obtaining the box information 372 from the box indicator 370, thereby enabling the computing device 700 to uniquely identify the box 300, which is configured to be removably connected to the detergent dispensing device 200 to provide the cleaning composition 230 thereto.

[0122] In some exemplary embodiments, the detection device 770 may include a camera (e.g., a camera device, an image sensor, etc.) for generating (e.g., capturing) an image of the environment within a specific field of view 780 of the camera. The computing device 700 may be configured to process the image of the field of view 780 generated by the camera to detect a visible pattern 392 representing the cartridge information 372 of the cartridge indicator 370 located within the field of view 780 in the image (e.g., a visible pattern 392 of the cartridge information 372 in the form of a visible barcode, a QR code, etc., which may be visible in the generated image). The computing device 700 may be configured to process the cartridge information 372 indicated (e.g., graphically represented) by the visible pattern 392 and obtain 790 from the cartridge indicator 370 via the generated image to identify (e.g., detect, obtain, etc.) a specific cartridge identifier code 374 associated with the cartridge 300 including the cartridge indicator 370.

[0123] In some example embodiments, the detection device 770 may include an NFC communication interface (which may include one or more NFC antennas, RF antennas, NFC transmitters, NFC receivers, NFC transceivers, etc.). The NFC communication interface may be used to transmit and / or emit NFC signals and / or NFC fields (e.g., RF fields). The NFC communication interface may be used to receive signals (e.g., NFC signals, RF signals, etc.) generated by a separate NFC device (e.g., an NFC device included in the cartridge indicator 370) in response to the transmitted / emitted NFC signals and / or fields. The computing device 700 may be used to detect the specific cartridge identifier code 374 indicated by the cartridge indicator 370 of the cartridge 300 based on obtaining 790 the cartridge information 372 by receiving the NFC signal from the cartridge indicator 370 and processing the received NFC signal to identify (e.g., detect) the specific cartridge identifier code 374.

[0124] Retrieving 790 the cartridge information 372 from the cartridge indicator 370 may include a device (e.g., the detection device 770 and / or the computing device 700 including the detection device 770) identifying the presence of at least a portion of the cartridge indicator 370 (e.g., a visible pattern 392 identifying the cartridge information 372) within and / or near at least the field of view 780 of the detection device 770. For example, when the detection device 770 includes a camera for generating (e.g., capturing) an image of the environment within the particular field of view 780, the computing device 700 may process the image generated by the camera to determine the visible pattern 392 associated with the cartridge indicator 370, thereby indicating that the cartridge information 372, such as a barcode, QR code, etc., is present in the generated image of the field of view 780. As a result, the computing device 700 may identify the presence of the cartridge indicator 370 based on the processing of the generated image. Detection of the specific cartridge identifier code 374 may include processing the cartridge information 372 represented by a visible pattern 392 located (e.g., visible, represented, etc.) in the generated image to determine (e.g., detect) the specific cartridge identifier code 374 as a specific code (e.g., an alphanumeric code, such as a 16-character code such as WW123456789 ABCWW) represented by the pattern, barcode, QR code, etc. of the cartridge information 372. In another example, when the detection device 770 includes an NFC communication interface, the computing device 700 may cause the NFC communication interface to transmit an NFC field (e.g., an RF field) and detect an NFC signal received from the NFC device of the cartridge indicator 370 in response to the NFC field, wherein receiving the NFC signal may correspond to obtaining the cartridge information 372 indicated by the NFC signal from the cartridge indicator 370. The computing device 700 may process the received NFC signal to obtain the cartridge information 372 indicated thereby, and further process the cartridge information to identify (e.g., detect) the specific cartridge identifier code 374 associated with the specific cartridge 300 including the cartridge indicator 370.

[0125] Further Figure 1A and Figure 1B and Figures 2A to 2DAs shown, the control system 3000 (which may be referred to as a detergent dispensing system cassette authentication and control in some exemplary embodiments) may also include a computing device 700 and a remote system 800 in addition to the detergent dispensing system 1100, but exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. The computing device 700 may be configured to be communicatively coupled to the detergent dispensing device 200 of the detergent dispensing system 1100 via a network communication link 702 and / or to be communicatively coupled to the remote system 800 via a network communication link 802. The control system 3000 may be configured to control one or more operations of the detergent dispensing system 1100 by selectively enabling (e.g., activating, unlocking, etc.) or disabling (e.g., deactivating, "locking," etc.) at least a portion of the detergent dispensing device 200 (e.g., specifically, selectively enabling / unlocking or disabling / locking the operation of at least the dispenser device 208 thereof) based on authentication of the cassette 300. Accordingly, the control system 3000 can be used to control the operation of the detergent dispensing system 1100 to dispense the cleaning combination 230 based on whether the authenticated cartridge 300 is provided to the detergent dispensing device 200 coupled to the detergent dispensing system 1100 included in the control system 3000. In some example embodiments, the control system 3000 can omit the remote system 800.

[0126] As shown, computing device 700 and remote system 800 may include authentication and control system 3010 excluding the detergent dispensing system such that control system 3000 includes authentication and control system 3010 and detergent dispensing system 1100 .

[0127] As described herein, the control system 3000 may selectively enable (e.g., selectively enable or disable, selectively unlock or lock, etc.) operation of at least the dispenser device 208 of the detergent dispensing device 200 based on authentication of the cartridge 300 coupled or configured to be coupled to the detergent dispensing device 200, thereby selectively enabling the detergent dispensing device 200 to operate the dispenser device 208 to dispense the cleaning composition 230. The detergent dispensing device 200 may then operate based on the operation of the dispenser device 208 to dispense the cleaning composition 230 provided from the cartridge reservoir 304 of the cartridge 300 until it is determined that the authenticated cartridge 300 is depleted of the cleaning composition 230 (e.g., it is determined that a counter value of a counter implemented by the detergent dispensing device 200 as described herein has reached at least a threshold counter value associated with such depletion). In response to such a determination, the detergent dispensing apparatus 200 may inhibit (e.g., deactivate, lock, etc.) further operation of at least the dispenser device 208 until a new cartridge 300 is authenticated (e.g., indicated by a device enable command signal received at the detergent dispensing apparatus 200) so as to re-enable (e.g., reactivate) at least the dispenser device 208 of the detergent dispensing apparatus 200.

[0128] Based on this authenticated control of the cleaning composition dispensing operation, the control system 3000 can be used to increase the likelihood of operation of the detergent dispensing system 1100 using the cleaning composition provided by the authenticated cartridge 300, thereby reducing the risk of using an incorrect cleaning composition provided by an unauthentic cartridge in the detergent dispensing system 1100, and thereby improving the operational reliability and performance of the detergent dispensing system 1100. For example, as described herein, the computing device 700 can be used to authenticate a cartridge 300 that is coupled or configured to be coupled to the detergent dispensing device 200 based on detecting a specific cartridge identifier code 374 indicated by the cartridge indicator 370 of the cartridge 300 and based on the processed cartridge information 372 obtained from the cartridge indicator 370. The computing device 700 can send an unlock command signal (also referred to herein as a "device enable command signal," "device activation command signal," etc.) to the detergent dispensing device 200 in response to authenticating the cartridge 300. When the controller 210 receives and processes the device enable command signal, the device enable command signal may cause the cleaning agent dispensing device 200 (e.g., the controller 210) to selectively enable (e.g., unlock, activate, etc.) the operation of at least the dispenser device 208 to dispense the cleaning composition 230 received from the cartridge reservoir 304 of the cartridge 300 in response to the device enable command signal.

[0129] It will be appreciated that in some exemplary embodiments, the controller 210 can be configured to selectively enable at least the dispenser device 208 in response to receiving a device enable command signal after and / or simultaneously with the cartridge 300 being coupled to the detergent dispensing device 200 (e.g., based on determining that the electrical switch device 1280 is in the switch-off position described herein before and / or simultaneously with receiving the device enable command signal). It will be appreciated that in some exemplary embodiments, the controller 210 can be configured to selectively enable at least the dispenser device 208 in response to receiving a device enable command signal after determining that a new cartridge 300 is coupled to the detergent dispenser 200 after an old cartridge 300 is separated from the device. The controller 210 can determine that the old cartridge 300 is separated from the detergent dispensing device 200 and subsequently couple the new cartridge 300 to the detergent dispensing device 200 in response to determining that the electrical switch device 1280 has moved from the switch-off position described herein to the switch-on position described herein and then back to the switch-off position. The controller 210 may be configured to selectively enable at least the dispenser device 208 in response to receiving the device enable command signal after and / or concurrently with determining that the electrical switching device 1280 has moved from the switch-on position to the switch-off position.

[0130] The detergent dispensing device 200 (e.g., the controller 210) can also selectively inhibit (e.g., lock, disable) operation of at least the dispenser device 208 to inhibit further dispensing of the cleaning composition 230 from the dispenser device 208 in response to the controller 210 determining that the cartridge reservoir 304 of the authenticated cartridge 300 is depleted (e.g., completely depleted) of the cleaning composition 230. The detergent dispensing device 200 can be configured to inhibit further operation of at least the dispenser device 208 until a new device enable command signal is subsequently received from the computing device 700 at the detergent dispensing device 200. The computing device 700 can send the new device enable command signal in response to authenticating the new cartridge 300 (based on detecting a new specific cartridge indicator code indicated by the cartridge indicator 370 of the new cartridge 300).

[0131] In some example embodiments, the control system 3000 can maintain one or more databases 732 and / or 832 of trusted cartridge identifier codes 774 (e.g., validated trusted cartridge identifier codes), each associated with a validated trusted cartridge 300. The control system 3000 can be configured to selectively "unlock" (e.g., selectively enable) operation of at least the dispenser device 208 at the detergent dispensing apparatus 200 in response to determining, alone, that an authentic cartridge 300 is detected by the computing device 700 (e.g., that the cartridge 300 is at least "authenticated" by the computing device 700), or in conjunction with determining that a particular cartridge 300 is coupled to the detergent dispensing apparatus 200 (by determining that the electrical switching device 1280 is in the switched-off position). A particular cartridge identifier code 374 for a particular cartridge 300 (e.g., associated with the particular cartridge 300) can be detected based on the computing device 700 obtaining 790 cartridge information 372 from the cartridge indicator 370 of the particular cartridge 300 via operation of one or more detection devices 770 thereof. In response to determining that the particular cartridge identifier code 374 indicated by the cartridge indicator 370, and thus associated with the particular cartridge 300, matches (e.g., is identical to) a stored trusted cartridge identifier code 774, the particular cartridge 300 may be authenticated (e.g., determined to be a trusted cartridge). This matching may include matching the particular cartridge indicator code with at least one trusted cartridge identifier code 774 stored in a database 732 and / or 832 of trusted cartridge identifier codes 774 known to be associated with one or more trusted cartridges 300.

[0132] In some example embodiments, a database 832 of authenticated cartridge identifier codes 774 may be generated at the remote system 800 in response to information received from the manufacturer of the cartridge 300. Such information received at the remote system 800 from the cartridge manufacturer may include a list of "authentic" cartridge identifier codes 774 indicated by cartridge indicators 370 included in manufactured "authentic" cartridges 300, wherein an "authentic" cartridge 300 is a cartridge 300 that is known to have been manufactured by a recognized, suitable cartridge manufacturer and that is known not to have been used in the detergent dispensing system 1100, such that the cartridge reservoir 304 of the "authentic" cartridge 300 is known to be filled with authentic cleaning composition 230. The remote system 800 may update the database 832 to add or delete authentic cartridge identifier codes 774 from the database 832 in response to information received from various sources, including the manufacturer, one or more computing devices 700 via one or more network communication links 802, and the like.

[0133] In some example embodiments, the computing device 700 may detect the specific cartridge identifier code 374 based on the processing cartridge information 372 obtained from the detected cartridge indicator 370 of the specific cartridge 300 according to the operation of one or more detection devices 770 of the computing device 700. The computing device 700 may send an authentication request signal including the detected specific cartridge identifier code 374 to the remote system 800 to authenticate the detected specific cartridge identifier code 374, and the authentication request signal may also include an indication requesting the remote system 800 to respond whether the specific cartridge identifier code 374 is a trusted cartridge identifier code (e.g., matches or is identical to at least one of the trusted cartridge identifier codes 774). The remote system 800 may, in response to receiving the authentication request signal from the computing device 700, compare the specific cartridge identifier code 374 included in the authentication request signal with the trusted cartridge identifier codes 774 stored in the database 832. In response to determining that the specific box identifier code 374 matches (e.g., is identical to) one or more trusted box identifier codes 774 stored in the database 832, the remote system 800 can send an authentication confirmation signal to the computing device 700, such that the specific box identifier code 374 is a trusted box identifier code, the authentication confirmation signal including information indicating that the specific box identifier code 374 matches at least one trusted box identifier code 774, and receive an authentication request signal from the computing device 700 via the network communication link 802.

[0134] In response to receiving the authentication response signal, the authentication response signal includes information indicating that the specific box identifier code 374 is a trusted box identifier code from the remote system 800, the computing device 700 can determine that the specific box 300 associated with the detected specific box identifier code 374 is "trusted", thereby authenticating the specific box 300 (e.g., determining that the box 300 associated with the detected specific box identifier code 374 is a trusted box 300).

[0135] like Figures 2A to 2DAs shown, in some example embodiments, the remote system 800 can provide the database 832 to the computing device 700 via the network communication link 802 to store the database 832 in the memory 730 of the computing device 700 as a local database of trusted cartridge identifier codes 774. The computing device 700 can be configured to, in response to detecting the specific cartridge identifier code 374 indicated by the cartridge indicator 370 of the specific cartridge 300 coupled or configured to be coupled to the detergent dispensing device 200 via the cartridge information 372 obtained from the cartridge indicator 370, compare the specific cartridge identifier code 374 with the trusted cartridge identifier codes 774 stored in the local database 732. In response to determining that the detected specific cartridge identifier code 374 matches (e.g., is the same as) one or more trusted cartridge identifier codes 774 stored in the database 732, the computing device 700 can determine that the specific cartridge 300 associated with the detected specific cartridge identifier code 374 is “trusted,” thereby authenticating the specific cartridge 300 associated with the specific cartridge identifier code 374.

[0136] In response to authenticating the particular cartridge 300, the computing device 700 may send a device enable command signal to the detergent dispensing device 200 associated with the user account 734 supported by the computing device 700 via the network communication link 702, so that the controller 210 of the detergent dispensing device 200, in response to receiving the device enable command signal, selectively enables or "unlocks" operation of at least the dispenser device 208 of the detergent dispensing device 200. For example, the computing device 700 may support a user account 734 associated with the particular detergent dispensing device 200, the particular detergent dispensing device 200 may be communicatively linked to the computing device 700 via the network communication link 702, and the computing device 700 may associate the cartridge 300 associated with the particular cartridge identifier code 374 detected at the computing device 700 with the same user account 734, so that the computing device 700 may determine that the cartridge 300 associated with the detected particular cartridge identifier code 334 is configured to be coupled to (or has been coupled to) the detergent dispensing device 200 associated with the user account 734.

[0137] The controller 210 selectively enabling at least the dispenser device 208 of the detergent dispensing device 200 may include the controller 210 resetting a counter value of a counter implemented by the detergent dispensing device 200 to an initial counter value to indicate that a new cartridge 300 having a full cartridge reservoir 304 is coupled to the detergent dispensing device 200. The computing device 700 may authenticate the cartridge 300 associated with the specific user account 734 represented by information stored in the computing device 700, and thus, the computing device 700 may send an enable command signal to the specific detergent dispensing device 200 to which the computing device 700 is currently communicatively coupled (e.g., "linked") via the established network communication link 702 and / or to the specific detergent dispensing device 200 identified by the device identity information 280 included in the user account 734.

[0138] In some exemplary embodiments, the computing device 700 and / or the remote system 800 may add information identifying the authenticated cartridge (e.g., the authenticated specific cartridge identifier code 374) to the information of the user account 734, thereby tracking the authenticated cartridges used in association with the user account 734. For example, in response to authenticating a cartridge 300, the computing device 700 may associate the authenticated cartridge 300 (via the detected “authenticated” specific cartridge identifier code 374) with the user account 374, such that the authenticated cartridge 300 is associated with the detergent dispensing device 200 that is itself associated with the user account 734. Accordingly, the computing device 700 may send a device activation command signal based on the authentication of the cartridge 300 to the detergent dispensing device 200 associated with the user account 734. In some exemplary embodiments, the computing device 700 may simply send a device activation command signal based on the authentication of the cartridge 300 to one or any detergent dispensing device 200 that is currently communicatively coupled to the computing device 700 when the cartridge 300 is authenticated, regardless of whether the detergent dispensing device 200 is currently associated with a user account 734 supported by the computing device 700.

[0139] In some exemplary embodiments, the detergent dispensing device 200 (e.g., the controller 210) can be configured to selectively enable at least the dispenser device 208 based on a device enable command signal received from the computing device 700 (e.g., via the network communication link 702) to send an enable confirmation signal to the computing device 700. The enable confirmation signal can include information identifying the device enable command signal received at the detergent dispensing device 200 to prompt selective enablement, and can thus be sent to notify the computing device 700 that the detergent dispensing device 200 or any portion thereof (e.g., the dispenser device 208 operation) is selectively enabled (e.g., unlocked) in response to the device enable command signal, which itself is based on authentication of the cartridge 300 coupled or configured to be coupled to the detergent dispensing device 200.

[0140] As described above, in response to 1) receiving the device enable command signal and 2) determining that the electrical switch device 1280 of the detergent dispensing device 200 is in the off switch position before, simultaneously with, and / or after receiving the device enable command signal, the controller 210 of the detergent dispensing device 200 can selectively enable the detergent dispensing device 200 or any portion thereof (e.g., the operation of the dispenser device 208). In some exemplary embodiments, the detergent dispensing device 200 can transmit an enable confirmation signal in response to operating the dispenser device 208 at least once after selectively enabling (unlocking) at least the dispenser device 208 of the detergent dispensing device 200, thereby postponing the transmission of the enable confirmation signal until the cartridge reservoir 304 is at least partially used to dispense the cleaning composition 230 therefrom. The control system 3000 can be used to deauthenticate a particular cartridge 300 in response to determining that the particular cartridge 300 has been used to selectively enable (e.g., unlock) the detergent dispensing device 200 to prevent the cartridge 300 from being used again to unlock (enable) one or more detergent dispensing devices 200 after at least partially depleting the cleaning composition 230 from the cartridge reservoir 304.

[0141] In some exemplary embodiments, the computing device 700 may deauthenticate the particular cartridge 300 and / or deauthenticate the trusted cartridge identifier code 774 that matches the detected particular cartridge identifier code 374 of the particular cartridge 300 in response to sending a device activation command signal to the detergent dispensing device 200 and / or in response to receiving an activation confirmation signal from the detergent dispensing device 200. Such deauthentication may include deleting the trusted cartridge identifier code 774 in the database 732 and / or marking the trusted cartridge identifier code 774 in the database 732 as deauthenticated, the trusted cartridge identifier code 774 in the database 732 matching the particular cartridge identifier code 374 used to authenticate the particular cartridge 300. Such deauthentication may include sending a deauthentication signal to the remote system 800 to cause the remote system 800 to delete the trusted cartridge identifier code 774 in the database 832 or marking the trusted cartridge identifier code 774 in the database 832 as deauthenticated, the trusted cartridge identifier code 774 in the database 832 matching the particular cartridge identifier code 374 used to authenticate the particular cartridge 300. Deauthentication of a trusted cartridge identifier code 774 based on marking the code as deauthenticated may include adding or replacing information for the trusted cartridge identifier code 774 in the database 732 entry, e.g., adding a prefix and / or making changes to characters of a stored trusted cartridge identifier code 774, adding information identifying the specific trusted cartridge identifier code 774 as deauthenticated in a field of the database entry, etc. Such deauthentication of a given trusted cartridge identifier code 774 based on a code that matched a specific cartridge identifier code 374 to authenticate the cartridge 300 may prevent the given trusted cartridge identifier code 774 from being matched with a specific cartridge identifier code 374 in the future. Deauthenticating a trusted cartridge identifier code 774 that matches a cartridge identifier code 374 to authenticate the cartridge 300, and subsequently enabling / unlocking the detergent dispensing apparatus 200 (e.g., at least the dispenser device 208 thereof) can reduce or prevent the likelihood of future authentication of a cartridge 300 having a cartridge indicator 370 indicating the same specific cartridge identifier code 374 (e.g., preventing reuse of a specific cartridge 300), for example, where each cartridge 300 that can be manufactured can be associated with a unique specific cartridge identifier code 374.

[0142] In some exemplary embodiments, in response to selectively enabling (unlocking) the dispenser device 208 of a particular detergent dispensing apparatus 200, the controller 210 of the detergent dispensing apparatus 200 may operate (e.g., actuate) the dispenser device 208 of the detergent dispensing apparatus 200 after a specific (e.g., fixed) amount of time has elapsed based on a watchdog timer, and may increment a counter value of a counter in response to each operation of the dispenser device 208 to track the cumulative amount of cleaning composition 230 dispensed by the detergent dispensing system 1100 after at least enabling the dispenser device 208. The accumulated amount represented by the counter value may be inversely proportional to the amount of cleaning composition 230 remaining in the cartridge reservoir 304 of the particular cartridge 300 that was authenticated to facilitate enabling / unlocking of at least the dispenser device 208. In response to the counter value reaching a threshold value (e.g., a first threshold counter value) associated with the cartridge reservoir 304 being depleted of the cleaning composition 230, the controller 210 may inhibit (e.g., disable, lock, etc.) at least the dispenser device 208 to prevent further operation (activation) of the dispenser device 208 in response to the elapsed timer value, a manually input command (e.g., a user input), etc. For example, such inhibition of at least the dispenser device 208 may include disabling (e.g., stopping) operation of the timer, thereby preventing the timer value from reaching a threshold value that would cause the controller 210 to operate (e.g., activate) the dispenser device 208. In another example, such inhibition of at least the dispenser device 208 may include shutting off power to the dispenser device 208 (e.g., operating an electrical switch to open a power circuit) to prevent further operation of the dispenser device 208. The detergent dispensing device 200 (e.g., the controller 210) can be used to re-enable (e.g., unlock, activate, etc.) the dispenser device 208 in response to subsequently receiving a new device enable command signal from the computing device 700, which can send a new device enable command signal in response to authenticating a new cartridge 300 to replace the exhausted cartridge 300.

[0143] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a controller of computing device 1000 provided by some exemplary embodiments. According to any exemplary embodiment, computing device 1000 may implement any computing device, controller, processor, etc., including controller 140, controller 210, any portion of computing device 700, and any portion of remote system 800 and / or any remote computing device 810 for implementing part or all of remote system 800.

[0144] like Figure 3As shown, the computing device 1000 may include a processor 1020 (e.g., a CPU), a memory 1030 (e.g., a solid-state drive or SSD), a communication interface 1040 (e.g., a wireless network communication interface, which may implement, for example, some or all of the network communication interface 224, the network communication interface 750, the network communication interface of the air conditioning system 100, etc.), and a power supply 1050 communicatively coupled together via a bus connection 1010. It should be understood that, in addition to the SSD, any type of non-transitory computer-readable storage device may be used as the memory 1030, or in place of the SSD. The computing device 1000 may include additional devices, including a user interface device 1060 (e.g., an "interface"), which may include a display device (e.g., an LED display, an OLED display, etc.), a touch screen display, a button interface, or any combination thereof. The user interface device 1060 may be communicatively coupled to the bus connection 1010.

[0145] In some exemplary embodiments, some or all of computing device 1000 may be included and / or implemented by one or more instances (e.g., items, segments, units, etc.) of processing circuitry, such as hardware including logic circuitry; a hardware / software combination, such as a processor executing software; or a combination thereof. For example, processing circuitry may more specifically include, but is not limited to, a central processing unit (CPU), an arithmetic logic unit (ALU), a digital signal processor, a microcomputer, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a system on a chip (SoC), a programmable logic unit, a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or any other device capable of responding to and executing instructions in a defined manner. In some exemplary embodiments, processing circuitry may include a non-transitory computer-readable storage device, or memory (e.g., memory 1030), such as a solid-state drive (SSD), storing an instruction program, and a processor (e.g., processor 1020), which is communicatively coupled to the non-transitory computer-readable storage device (e.g., via bus connection 1010) and configured to execute the instruction program to implement some or all of the functionality of the device. It should be understood that, as herein, an element (e.g., processing circuitry, digital circuitry, etc.) described as “implementing” an element (e.g., controller 210, detergent dispensing device 200, controller 140, air conditioning system 100, computing device 700, remote system 800, etc.) will be understood to implement the functionality of the implementing element and / or any other element (e.g., functionality of controller 210, functionality of detergent dispensing device 200, functionality of controller 140, functionality of air conditioning system, functionality of computing device 700, remote system 800, etc.).

[0146] Figure 4is a flow chart illustrating a method of operating the detergent dispensing device 200 according to some exemplary embodiments. Figure 4 The illustrated method may be implemented by any exemplary embodiment of the detergent dispensing device 200 according to any exemplary embodiment.

[0147] It should be understood that Figure 4 The operations of the method shown can be compared to Figure 4 It should also be understood that Figure 4 One or more operations of the method shown may be performed from Figure 4 It is also understood that in Figure 4 Add one or more operations to the method shown.

[0148] See also Figure 4 , Figure 4 The illustrated method includes a method of operating a cleaning agent dispensing device 200 according to any of the exemplary embodiments to dispense (eg, supply, etc.) a cleaning composition 230 through a device outlet 240 thereof. Figure 4 Some or all of the operations of the illustrated method may be implemented by the controller 210 , for example, based on a processor of the controller 210 executing a program of instructions stored in a memory of the controller 210 .

[0149] As shown in the figure, Figure 4 The method includes controlling the dispenser device 208 of the cleaning agent dispensing apparatus 200 so that the dispenser device 208 dispenses an amount (e.g., 3 oz) of the cleaning composition 230 from a reservoir (e.g., the internal reservoir 206 of the cleaning agent dispensing apparatus 200, the cartridge reservoir 304 of the cartridge 300 detachably coupled to the cleaning agent dispensing apparatus 200) in fluid communication with the inlet of the dispenser device 208 and through the apparatus outlet 240 without manual intervention (e.g., without manual intervention). It should be understood that Figure 4 Some or any of the operations shown may be performed (e.g., by controller 210) without human intervention (e.g., some or any of the operations may be performed by controller 210 based on the programming of controller 210 and may be performed independently of any commands or signals received by controller 210 based on human interaction with an interface (e.g., buttons, touch screen, display, etc.)).

[0150] At S402, the controller 210 determines whether the cartridge 300 is coupled to the detergent dispensing device 200. This determination may include determining whether the circuit of the detergent dispensing device 200 extending through the electrical switch device 1280 of the detergent dispensing device 200 is closed based on the electrical switch device 1280 being in the closed switch position. If so (S402=Yes), at S403, the controller 210 may send a coupling signal S403 to the computing device 700, wherein the computing device 700 is linked to the detergent dispensing device 200 via the network communication link 702, to indicate that a new cartridge 300 is coupled to the detergent dispensing device 200. The method may then proceed to S404. If the detergent dispensing device 200 is determined to be not connected to the box 300, for example in response to a determination that the circuit of the device extending through the electrical switching device 1280 is open based on the electrical switching device 1280 being in the open switch position (S402 = No), then at S406, the controller 210 causes at least the dispenser device 208 of the detergent dispensing device 200 to be selectively disabled ("locked") and / or maintained in a disabled state.

[0151] In some exemplary embodiments, in response to determining that the box 300 is connected to the detergent dispensing device 200 (S402 = yes), for example, in response to determining that the electrical switch device 1280 has moved from the closed switch position to the open switch position and then returned to the closed switch position within a specific time period (e.g., 2 minutes), at S403 the controller 210 may cause a connection signal to be sent to the computing device 700 via the network communication link 702 to indicate that the new box 300 is connected to the detergent dispensing device 200.

[0152] In S404, the controller 210 determines whether the detergent dispensing device 200 receives a device activation command signal. The device activation command signal can be received at the detergent dispensing device 200 from the computing device 700 via the network communication link 702. The device activation command signal may include and / or indicate a command to selectively enable (e.g., unlock) the operation of at least the dispenser device 208 of the detergent dispensing device 200. For example, the device activation command signal may include a command to turn off a power switch of the detergent dispensing device 200 to enable power to the dispenser device 208. In another example, the device activation command signal may include a command to initialize or enable a timer for determining whether to operate (e.g., actuate) the dispenser device 208.

[0153] If the device enable command signal is not received at the detergent dispensing device 200 (S404=No), for example, in response to determining that the unlock command signal has not been received within a specific fixed time period (e.g., 5 seconds), then at S406, the controller 210 causes at least the dispenser device 208 to be inhibited (e.g., disabled, deactivated, "locked", etc.) and / or maintained in an inhibited state. As described herein, inhibiting at least the dispenser device 208 may include: turning off the power supply to the dispenser device; disabling the timer herein for triggering operation of the dispenser device 208; configuring the controller 210 to ignore commands to operate (e.g., actuate) the dispenser device 208, etc.

[0154] In response to determining that a device enable command signal is received at the detergent dispensing device 200 (S404=Yes), for example, in response to determining that the device enable command signal is received within a specific fixed time period of determining that the box 300 is connected to the detergent dispensing device 200 (S402=Yes), at S408, the controller 210 causes the dispenser device 208 to be at least selectively enabled (e.g., activated, initialized, "unlocked", etc.). At least this selective activation of the dispenser device 208 may include one or more of the following: turning off the electrical switch to enable the power supply to the dispenser device 208, resetting the timer value of the timer to an initial value (e.g., a timer value of zero) and activating the timer to begin counting the timer value at a specific (e.g., fixed) frequency, setting or resetting the counter value of the counter as described herein to an initial counter value (e.g., a counter value of zero) and increasing the counter in response to each continuous operation (e.g., actuation) of the dispenser device 208, configuring the controller 210 to operate (e.g., actuate) the dispenser device 208 in response to a command to operate the dispenser device 208, or any combination thereof. As described above, some or all of the operations included in the selective activation of S408 may be interchangeably referred to as being performed in response to the selective activation. For example, in S408, the detergent dispensing device may set or reset the counter value of the counter to the initial counter value in response to at least the selective activation of the dispenser device 208.

[0155] It should be understood that the determination in S402 may be performed in parallel with the determination in S404, or performed in response to S404=Yes, such that the method proceeds to S408 in response to a combination of S402=Yes and S404=Yes. In some example embodiments, Figure 4The method shown proceeds to S408 in response to a simultaneous determination of S402 = yes and S404 = yes and / or in response to a determination of S402 = yes and S404 = yes within a specific fixed time window (e.g., a determination of S402 = yes and S404 = yes within a 5-second period from the start of execution of one or both of S402 or S404); and proceeds to S406 if not (e.g., if S402 and S404 are not determined to be "yes" simultaneously or within a specific time window). It should be understood that in some exemplary embodiments, the electrical switching device 1280 may not be present in the detergent dispensing apparatus 200, and therefore, at least operation S402 may be omitted from the method, such that if S404 = yes, the method proceeds to S408.

[0156] In S410, in response to the dispenser device 208 being selectively enabled (unlocked), the controller 210 causes an enable confirmation signal to be sent from the detergent dispensing device 200 to the computing device 700, for example, via the network communication link 702. The enable confirmation signal may include information indicating that at least the dispenser device 208 is enabled (e.g., unlocked) in response to the specific device enable command signal determined to be received at S404. The enable confirmation signal may include information identifying the specific device enable command signal, and the selective enablement at S408 and the enable confirmation signal at S410 are based on the specific device enable command signal. For example, the device enable command signal received at S404 may indicate a specific code, such as a specific cartridge identifier code 374, and the enable confirmation signal may therefore indicate the same specific cartridge identifier code. As described herein in conjunction with Figure 5 、 Figure 8A and Figure 8B as well as Figure 9A and Figure 9B As described, the computing device 700 can respond to the enablement confirmation signal by deauthenticating at least a trusted cartridge identifier code that matches a specific cartridge identifier code 374 described herein (e.g., the specific cartridge identifier code 374 indicated in the enablement confirmation signal at S410) to prevent future unlocking of at least the dispenser device 208 of one or more detergent dispensing devices 200 based on the same specific cartridge identifier code 374.

[0157] In S412, the controller 210 causes the timer of the controller 210 to reset its timer value to an initial timer value (e.g., zero) so that the timer can start counting from the initial timer value. In S414, the timer of the controller 210 starts counting (e.g., increasing the timer value at a fixed frequency) from the initial timer value (e.g., 0). In S416, the controller 210 compares the current (e.g., incremented) timer value with a threshold (e.g., a specific) timer value (e.g., 7 days) that may be stored in the controller 210, and determines whether the current timer value has reached (e.g., is equal to or greater than) the threshold timer value. If not (S416=No), then in S414, the controller 210 allows the timer to continue incrementing. If so (S416=yes), then at S418, the controller 210 operates (e.g., actuates) the selectively enabled dispenser device 208 (e.g., such that power is provided to the dispenser device 208 to cause the dispenser device 208 to operate, actuate, etc.) to cause the dispenser device 208 to dispense (e.g., pump, supply, etc.) a specific amount of cleaning composition 230 (e.g., 3 oz) through the outlet 208O to the device outlet 240, thereby operating the dispenser device 208 in response to the passage of a specific time period.

[0158] In S422, in response to the operation in S418, the controller 210 causes the counter to count (e.g., increment) the counter value, thereby tracking the number of dispenser device operations, disposals, actuations, etc. (S418), thereby tracking the cumulative amount of cleaning composition 230 dispensed during the period when the dispenser device 208 is enabled (e.g., unlocked).

[0159] In S424, it is determined whether a new device activation command signal (which may indicate a new authenticated cartridge identifier code 374) is received from the computing device 700 of the detergent dispensing device 200, so that the controller 210 reactivates (e.g., resets) the dispenser device 208 in S426. The dispenser device 208 may include resetting the counter value to the initial counter value. If it is determined that a new device activation command signal is received in S424 (S424=Yes), the controller 210 resets the counter value to the initial counter value (e.g., zero) in S426 and proceeds to S410 to send a new activation confirmation signal to the computing device 700 in response to the new device activation command signal. The new activation confirmation signal indicates that at least the dispenser device 208 is selectively activated, and proceeds to S412 to reset the timer value and then continue to increase the timer value in S414. If not (S424=No), the method continues to S428 without performing the reset in S426.

[0160] At S428, the controller 210 compares the current counter value (e.g., incremented at S422) with one or more threshold (e.g., specific) counter values ​​(e.g., 10, 11, 12, etc.) that may be stored at the controller 210, and determines whether the current counter value (e.g., incremented at S422) has reached (e.g., is equal to or greater than) the one or more threshold counter values. If not (S428=No), the controller 210 returns to S412 to reset the timer value and then continues to increase the timer value at S414. If so (S428=Yes), at S430, it is further determined whether the current counter value is equal to or greater than a first threshold counter value, which may be a final depletion threshold counter value (e.g., 12) indicating complete depletion (e.g., final depletion) of the cleaning composition 230 held in the cartridge reservoir 304 of the cartridge 300 currently coupled to the detergent dispensing device 200.

[0161] In some exemplary embodiments, the operations performed at S412 to S428 may include an operation at S440 that controls the cleaning agent dispensing apparatus 200 to repeatedly (e.g., iteratively) operate the dispenser device 208 to repeatedly (e.g., iteratively) dispense the cleaning composition 230 received at the dispenser device 208 from the cartridge reservoir 304 of the cartridge 300 coupled to the cleaning agent dispensing apparatus 200. At S440, such operations may also include operations S430 and S432, excluding operation S428, etc. The operation at S440 may terminate when it is determined that the first threshold counter value has been reached (S430=Yes). It should be understood that the cleaning agent dispensing device 200 can send one or more update signals to the computing device 700 via the network communication link 702 in response to performing one or more of operations S412-S440, including, for example, in response to incrementing the counter value at S422, so that the computing device 700 can maintain a current indication of the current counter value, thereby maintaining an indication of the amount of dispensing operations and / or the amount of remaining cleaning composition regarding the currently connected box 300 (for example, the amount of remaining dispensing associated with the currently connected box 300 can be the difference between the current counter value and the first threshold counter value).

[0162] If the current counter value is not equal to or greater than the first threshold counter value, thereby indicating that the current counter value at least meets the second threshold counter value indicating that the box storage 304 is partially depleted but not completely depleted, (S428 = Yes and S430 = No, for example, it is determined that the second "partial depletion" threshold counter value 11 is reached at S428, but it is determined that the first "final depletion" threshold counter value 12 is not reached at S430), then at S432, the controller 210 sends a warning signal (also referred to interchangeably herein as an order command signal, warning signal / order signal, etc.) to the computing device 700 via the network communication link 702, and then S412 can be continued to reset the timer value, and then the timer value can be continued to be increased at S414.

[0163] The controller 210 may monitor a plurality of possible threshold counter values, including a “second threshold counter value” partially depleted threshold counter value (e.g., 10 and / or 11) and a “first threshold counter value” final depleted threshold counter value (e.g., 12), and the controller 210 may generate a specific warning signal at S432 indicating that the second threshold counter value has been reached, thereby indicating at S432 at least partial depletion of the cleaning composition 230 held in the cartridge reservoir 304 of the particular cartridge 300 that is removably coupled to the detergent dispensing device 200. To reiterate, the warning signal may include information indicating that the cartridge reservoir 304 of the cartridge 300 currently coupled to the detergent dispensing device 200 contains an amount of cleaning composition that is equal to or less than the threshold amount (e.g., the near-depletion threshold amount) indicated by at least the current counter value of the counter determined at S428 (and further indicated as being less than the first threshold counter value indicating that the cartridge reservoir 304 is completely depleted, S430=No). The controller 210 may send the warning signal to the computing device 700 via the network communication link 702 so that the computing device 700 responds to the warning signal as further described herein. Figure 6 、 Figure 8A and Figure 8B as well as Figure 9A and Figure 9B As described, the computing device 700 may respond to receipt of the alert signal sent at S432 by causing the purchase and / or ordering (collectively referred to herein as a simple order) of one or more new cartridges 300 so that the one or more new cartridges 300 are shipped to a specific physical mailing address, wherein the specific physical mailing address may be a physical mailing address associated with a user account 734 that is also associated with the detergent dispensing device 200 described herein, such that the physical mailing address is associated with the execution of the alert signal. Figure 4 The illustrated method is associated with a detergent dispensing device 200 to replace a nearly exhausted cartridge 300 that is currently removably coupled to the detergent dispensing device 200 .

[0164] At S430, if the controller 210 determines that the threshold counter value reached by the current counter value at S428 includes (e.g., is equal to or greater than) a first threshold counter value (e.g., 12), the first threshold counter value indicating complete depletion (e.g., final depletion) of the cleaning composition 230 held in the cartridge reservoir 304 of the cartridge 300 currently coupled to the cleaning agent dispensing apparatus 200 (e.g., S430=Yes), then at S434, the controller 210 at least inhibits (e.g., deactivates, “locks,” disables, etc.) the dispenser device 208 of the cleaning agent dispensing apparatus 200 to prevent the dispenser device 208 from further operating in response to the current timer value, manual dispensing commands, etc. As described with respect to S406, such inhibiting of at least the dispenser device 208 may include shutting off power to the dispenser device, disabling the timer described herein for triggering operation of the dispenser device 208, configuring the controller 210 to ignore commands to operate (e.g., actuate) the dispenser device 208, etc.

[0165] Accordingly, as shown in S408, S440, S430 and S434, at S408, the cleaning agent dispensing device 200 can set the counter value of the counter to the initial counter value in response to selectively enabling the operation of the dispenser device 208, operate the dispenser device at S440 (S418 therein), and then selectively enable the operation of the dispenser device 208 to dispense the cleaning composition 230 received from the cartridge reservoir at the dispenser device 208, increase the counter value at S440 (S422 therein) in response to each operation of the dispenser device 208 to dispense the cleaning composition 230 to the device outlet 240, and selectively disable the operation of at least the dispenser device 208 at S434 in response to determining at S430 that the counter value at least meets the first threshold counter value associated with the depletion of the cleaning composition 230 in the cartridge reservoir 304 of the cartridge 300.

[0166] In some exemplary embodiments, the first threshold counter value indicates that the remaining amount of the cleaning composition 230 in the cartridge reservoir 304 of the currently coupled cartridge 300 is at or below the threshold amount and is greater than complete depletion (e.g., an empty value) of the cleaning composition 230 in the cartridge reservoir 304, such that when the first threshold counter value is reached (S430=Yes) and the detergent dispensing apparatus 200 selectively disables operation of at least the dispenser device 208 at S434, at least some cleaning composition 230 remains in the cartridge reservoir 304. As a result, the detergent dispensing apparatus 200 can prevent the cartridge reservoir 304 of the currently coupled cartridge 300 from being completely depleted of the cleaning composition 230 based on causing the selective disabling of operation of at least the dispenser device 208 before complete depletion occurs due to excessive operation of the dispenser device 208 at S440 and S418.

[0167] The threshold value compared to the current counter value in S428 may be the same as the first threshold counter value compared to the current counter value in S430, or may be a threshold counter value different from the first threshold counter value. In some exemplary embodiments, a determination is made in S428 whether the current counter value (the counter value incremented in the most recent operation of S422) is equal to or greater than (e.g., at least satisfies, has reached, etc.) at least a second threshold counter value, the second threshold counter value being less than the first threshold counter value (e.g., between the initial counter value and the first threshold counter value). For example, in some exemplary embodiments, the initial counter value is "0," the first threshold counter value is "12," the second threshold counter value is "11," and the current counter value incremented in the most recent operation of S422 is an integer value between "1" and "10," and therefore less than "11." The determination in S428 may include determining that the current counter value is less than (e.g., less than) the second threshold counter value "11" (S428=No), and the method may proceed to S412, the next iteration of operation S440, in response to the determination. In another exemplary embodiment, the initial counter value is "0," the first threshold counter value is "12," and the second threshold counter value is "11." The current counter value incremented in the most recent operation of S422 is an integer value equal to or greater than "11," and thus equal to or greater than "11." The determination in S428 may include determining that the current counter value is equal to or greater than (e.g., at least meets, has reached, etc.) the second threshold counter value "11" (S428 = Yes), and the method may proceed to S430 in response. At S430, in response to determining that the current counter value is less than the first threshold counter value "12" (e.g., the current counter value is "11," resulting in S430 = No), the method proceeds to S432. At S430, in response to determining that the current counter value is equal to or greater than (e.g., at least meets, has reached, etc.) the first threshold counter value "12" (e.g., the current counter value is "12," resulting in S430 = Yes), the method proceeds to S434.

[0168] In response to disabling the dispenser device 208 at S434, the controller 210 sends a disable signal at S436, which indicates that at least the dispenser device 208 of the detergent dispensing apparatus 200 is disabled (locked), so that the detergent dispensing apparatus 200 itself is disabled. The controller 210 can cause the disable signal to be sent to the computing device 700 via the network communication link 702 to notify the computing device 700 that the final depletion threshold counter value (e.g., the first threshold counter value) has been reached (indicating that the cartridge 300 detachably coupled to the detergent dispensing apparatus 200 is completely depleted of the cleaning composition 230), and further indicates that at least the dispenser device 208 of the detergent dispensing apparatus 200 is currently disabled. As described herein in conjunction with Figure 6 、 Figure 8A and Figure 8B as well as Figure 9A and Figure 9B As depicted, computing device 700 may respond to such a disable signal by providing a notification to a user supported by computing device 700 via interface 760 and / or to remote system 800 via network communication link 802 .

[0169] In response to disabling the dispenser device 208 at S434 and / or sending a disable signal at S436, Figure 4 The method implemented by the controller 210 in can return to S402 to wait for a new device enable command signal sent from the computing device 700 and / or determine that a new cartridge 300 is coupled to the detergent dispensing device 200 to replace the exhausted cartridge 300 .

[0170] Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operation of the computing device 700 according to some example embodiments. Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operation of the computing device 700 according to some example embodiments. Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operation of the computing device 700 according to some example embodiments. Figure 8A and Figure 8B is a flow chart illustrating a method of operating the control system 3000 according to some exemplary embodiments. Figure 9A and Figure 9B is a flow chart illustrating a method of operating the control system 3000 according to some exemplary embodiments. Figure 5 、 Figure 6 and Figure 7 The method shown in can be implemented by any example embodiment of the computing device 700 according to any example embodiment. Figure 8A 、 Figure 8B 、 Figure 9A and Figure 9B The method shown in can be implemented by any example embodiment of the control system 3000 according to any example embodiment. It should be understood that Figures 5 to 9B The operation of the method shown in Figures 5 to 9B Any change in the order shown in FIG. Figures 5 to 9B One or more operations of any of the methods shown in Figures 5 to 9B The methods shown are omitted. It will also be understood that Figures 5 to 9B Add one or more actions to any of the methods shown.

[0171] refer to Figure 5 , Figure 5The method illustrated includes a method of operating a computing device 700 of a control system 3000 according to any of the example embodiments to control the operation of the detergent dispensing system 1100 (e.g., selectively enabling and / or disabling at least the dispenser device 208 of the detergent dispensing apparatus 200) via a network communication link 702, and further interacting with a remote system 800 to enable such control and / or enable the purchase and / or delivery of additional new cartridges 300 to replace nearly depleted or completely depleted cartridges 300 of the detergent dispensing system 1100. Figure 5 Some or all of the operations of the illustrated method may be implemented by the computing device 700 , for example, based on the processor 720 of the computing device 700 executing an instruction program stored in the memory 730 of the computing device 700 .

[0172] In S502, the computing device 700 may establish a network communication link 802 with a remote system 800 (e.g., a remote network service supported by one or more remote computing devices 810) via the network communication interface 750, and the computing device 700 may receive and store (e.g., in the memory 730) a database 732 of trusted cartridge identifier codes 774, each associated with one or more "trusted" cartridges 300 described herein. In some exemplary embodiments, the one or more trusted cartridge identifier codes 774 stored in the database 732 may be associated with (e.g., may be identified by) only one cartridge 300, such that different trusted cartridges 300 may include separate, respective cartridge indicators 370 configured to indicate separate, respective, and different trusted cartridge identifier codes 774. In some exemplary embodiments, the one or more trusted cartridge identifier codes 774 stored in the database 732 may be associated with (e.g., may be identified by) multiple trusted cartridges 300 (e.g., a particular batch of manufactured trusted cartridges 300), such that the multiple trusted cartridges 300 may each include a cartridge indicator 370 that indicates the same trusted cartridge identifier code 774. A cartridge 300 associated with one or more trusted cartridge identifier codes 774 may be referred to herein as a trusted cartridge, an authenticated cartridge, etc. In some exemplary embodiments, operation S502 is omitted, wherein the database 832 is maintained at the remote system 800, and the computing device 700 sends a signal indicating the detected particular cartridge identifier code 374 to the remote system 800 to determine whether the detected particular cartridge identifier code 374 matches one or more trusted cartridge identifier codes 774 (e.g., Figure 5 and Figure 9A , S510=No, and at least S522-S524).

[0173] In S504, the computing device 700 receives an indication that a new cartridge 300 is provided and / or is currently coupled to a detergent dispensing apparatus 200 and / or that authentication of a new cartridge 300 is desired, the detergent dispensing apparatus 200 being communicatively coupled to the computing device 700 via the network communication link 702. Such detergent dispensing apparatus 200 may be a particular detergent dispensing apparatus 200 associated with a user account 734 supported by the computing device 700 and / or a detergent dispensing apparatus 200 currently being communicatively coupled to the computing device 700 via the network communication link 702. Based on user interaction with a graphical user interface displayed by the interface 760 of the computing device 700, for example, based on user interaction with the user account 734, the computing device 700 may receive an indication that a new cartridge 300 is provided and / or is currently coupled to the detergent dispensing apparatus 200 and / or that authentication of a new cartridge 300 is desired. Figure 10A The user's interaction with the graphical icon of the graphical user interface displayed by the touch screen display interface 760 (e.g., the touch screen display interface 760) may be used to indicate to the computing device 700 that a new cartridge 300 has been obtained. In some example embodiments, based on the user's interaction with the graphical icon of the graphical user interface displayed by the display interface 760 (e.g., the touch screen display interface 760), the indication may be received at S504 to generate a command to the computing device 700 to control (e.g., activate) one or more detection devices 770 to attempt to detect a specific cartridge identifier code 374 associated with the new cartridge 300 at S506. The received command may be considered a user indication of receipt of a new cartridge at S504. In some example embodiments, the indication at S504 may be received.

[0174] In some example embodiments, the indication of S504 may be received at the computing device 700 independent of any manual user interaction with the computing device 700. For example, in some example embodiments, the new cartridge 300 may include a cartridge indicator 370 that includes a wireless communication transceiver (e.g., an ad hoc wireless network communication interface, an NFC communication interface, etc.), the wireless communication transceiver being operable to transmit a signal received by the computing device 700 (e.g., the network communication interface 750 and / or its detection device 770) in response to the computing device 700 entering a particular threshold physical location proximate to the cartridge 300 and / or cartridge indicator 370 (e.g., 5 feet relative to an ad hoc wireless network communication link, 1 inch relative to an NFC interface, etc.). The computing device 700 may be operable to receive and process the received signal to determine that an indication of the new cartridge 300 was received at S504. In another example, with reference to Figure 4The instructions in S403 and S504 of the illustrated method may be based on the computing device 700 receiving a connection signal sent from the detergent dispensing device 200 via the network communication link 702, wherein, in response to determining that the cartridge 300 (e.g., newly connected) is connected to the detergent dispensing device 200 (e.g., S402 = Yes), the detergent dispensing device 200 causes the connection signal to be sent to the computing device 700. At S504, the computing device 70 may respond to the connection signal reception by determining that a new cartridge 300 is connected to the detergent dispensing device 200, wherein the detergent dispensing device 200 may be a specific detergent dispensing device 200 associated with the user account 734 supported by the computing device 700 and / or the detergent dispensing device 200 currently communicatively connected to the computing device 700 via the network communication link 702.

[0175] In S506, the computing device 700 controls one or more detection devices 770 (e.g., a camera, an NFC transceiver, etc.) to obtain 790 box information 372 associated with the new box 300 from the box indicator 370 of the new box 300, for example based on communication between the box indicator 370 and the one or more detection devices 770 of the computing device 700, the one or more detection devices 770 generating information about the box 300 (e.g., generating an image, also referred to herein as image data), etc.

[0176] For example, in some exemplary embodiments, the cartridge indicator 370 is configured to present (e.g., display) the cartridge information 372 as a visible pattern 392 visible from the exterior of the cartridge 300 (e.g., such that the visible pattern 392 represents the cartridge information 372), such as a pattern (e.g., an alphanumeric code, a barcode, or a QR code, etc.) displayed on the exterior surface 302S of the cartridge 300. The one or more detection devices 770 of the computing device 700 may be a camera device (which may be any known type of camera device, such as any device for generating a representation of an image generated or captured by a camera device (e.g., Figure 10D At S506, the computing device 700 may be used to control the camera device to generate an image of the field of view 780 of the camera device, wherein the visible pattern 392 (e.g., Figure 10D The image 2058 shown in FIG. 2058 is located in the image of the field of view 780. The computing device 700 can process the image generated by the camera detection device 770 (e.g., Figure 10D 2058 shown in the image ), to identify or discern the presence of a visible pattern 392 in the image, and the computing device 700 can process the image to obtain the cartridge information 372 and / or the specific cartridge identifier code 374 indicated thereby, as indicated by the visible pattern 392 located in the image.

[0177] In another exemplary embodiment, in some exemplary embodiments, the case indicator 370 includes a near field communication (NFC) device configured to generate an NFC signal in response to receiving an NFC field, such as a radio frequency (RF) field, for example, in response to an NFC device being within the generated NFC field. One or more detection devices 770 may be configured to generate such an NFC field (e.g., an RF antenna configured to generate an RF field), and one or more detection devices 770 may be configured to receive an NFC signal generated by the NFC device of the case indicator 370 in response to such an NFC field (e.g., an NFC receiver, transceiver, etc.). Such detection devices 770 may include any known NFC communication device, transmitter, receiver, transceiver, etc. At S506, the computing device 700 may control the one or more detection devices 770 to generate, transmit, and / or send an NFC field, so that the NFC device case indicator 370 responsively generates and / or sends an NFC signal to be received by the one or more detection devices 770 of the computing device. Receiving such an NFC signal may be considered as obtaining the case information 372 from the case indicator 370 at S506. The computing device 700 may be used to process NFC signals received at one or more detection devices 770 to obtain the cartridge information 372 at S506 .

[0178] At S508, the computing device 700 processes the cartridge information 372 obtained at S506 to detect a specific cartridge identifier code 374 associated with the specific cartridge 300 (e.g., the specific cartridge identifier code 374 indicated by the visible pattern 392, e.g., an image present on the outer surface 302S of the cartridge 300 (e.g., Figure 10D2058 ), a barcode or QR code indicated by a signal (such as an NFC signal received by the computing device 700 from the cartridge indicator 370 of the cartridge 300). In some exemplary embodiments, each specific cartridge identifier code 374 that may be associated with any cartridge 300 may have specific characteristics that enable identification of the code as a specific cartridge identifier code 374. For example, where each specific cartridge identifier code 374 is an alphanumeric code identified by a signal (e.g., an NFC signal), a pattern (e.g., a QR code), etc. provided by the cartridge indicator 370, each alphanumeric code of each cartridge identifier code may have a specific character length (e.g., 16 characters) and may include a specific (or, optionally, predetermined) first character, last character, or any combination thereof, etc. For example, each specific box identifier code 374 can be a 16-character code, where the first, second, fifteenth and sixteenth characters are all the same character, such as "W", and the remaining characters are variable and may differ between different box identifier codes 374 (for example, "WW123456789ABCWW"), where the payment length and specific characters of the first, second, fifteenth and sixteenth characters enable the specific box identifier code 374 identified by processing the box information 372 to be identified (for example, "detected") at S508 as a specific box identifier code 374 associated with at least one specific box 300.

[0179] In one example, when the cartridge indicator 370 includes a visible pattern 392 externally visible on the outer surface 302S of the cartridge 300, and the computing device 700 includes a detection device 770 that also includes a camera device, it will be understood that at S506 and S508, the computing device 700 may be configured to generate an image of the visible pattern 392 based on controlling the camera device (e.g., Figure 10C 2058 shown in FIG), obtains the cartridge information 372 from the cartridge indicator 370, and detects a specific cartridge identifier code 374 based on processing the image of the visible pattern 392.

[0180] In another example, the box indicator 370 includes a near field communication (NFC) device, the near field communication device is used to send an NFC signal, the NFC signal indicates a specific box identifier code 374 in response to the NFC field, the computing device 700 includes one or more detection devices, the one or more detection devices collectively include one or more NFC communication interfaces, the one or more NFC communication interfaces are collectively used to generate an NFC field to receive an NFC signal sent by the NFC device in response to the NFC field, and at S506 and S508, the computing device 700 can be used to obtain 790 the box information 372 from the box indicator 370 based on causing the one or more NFC communication interfaces of the computing device 700 to collectively generate an NFC field and receive the NFC signal sent by the NFC device in response to the NFC field, and detect the specific box identifier code 374 based on processing of the NFC signal.

[0181] In S540, in response to detecting the specific box identifier code 374, the computing device 700 determines whether the detected specific box identifier code 374 is an authenticated box identifier code based on determining whether the detected specific box identifier code 374 matches one or more trusted box identifier codes 774 (e.g., at the local database 732 and / or remote database 832 described herein).

[0182] In some example embodiments, one or more of operations S502-S508, S540, S516, S526, etc. include: selecting a specific user account 734 supported by the computing device 700 (which may be a specific or unique user account 734 supported by the computing device 700 by default) and / or a currently linked detergent dispensing device 200 (via the current network communication link 702) to be associated with the authentication determination at S540 so as to send a device activation command signal to the detergent dispensing device 200 associated with the selected user account 734 and / or as the selected currently linked detergent dispensing device 200 at S518 and / or S528.

[0183] At S510 and S540, if the computing device 700 stores a local database 732 of trusted cartridge identifier codes 774 (S510=Yes), the computing device 700 determines whether the specific cartridge identifier code 374 detected at S508 (e.g., matches) a trusted cartridge identifier code 774 stored in the local database 732, matches one or more known trusted cartridge identifier codes 774 stored in the local database 732, or the like, such that the computing device 700 determines at S540 whether the detected specific cartridge identifier code 374 is authentic. As shown, the authentication determination at S540 may include, at S512, comparing the detected specific cartridge identifier code 374 with the trusted cartridge identifier codes 774 stored in the database 732 to determine at S514 whether the detected specific cartridge identifier code 374 matches (e.g., is the same as) any trusted cartridge identifier code 774 stored in the local database 732. If no match is found (S514=No), the computing device 700 may determine that the authentication attempt failed and may generate a notification at S534, which may include a graphical and / or audio indication provided to the user via one or more interfaces 760 of the computing device 700, indicating that the authentication attempt failed, for example, because the detected specific cartridge identifier code 374 was determined to be associated with a non-authenticated or deauthenticated cartridge identifier code. The determination at S514 that the detected specific cartridge identifier code 374 matches at least one trusted cartridge identifier code 774 (S514=Yes) may be referred to as determining that the specific cartridge identifier code 374 is (e.g., matches) a trusted cartridge identifier code 774 and is therefore "authenticated."

[0184] If it is determined in S514 that the detected specific cartridge identifier code 374 matches at least one trusted cartridge identifier code 774 (S514=Yes), then in S516, the computing device 700 determines that the specific cartridge 300 associated with the specific cartridge identifier code 374 is a trusted cartridge 300 associated with the trusted cartridge identifier code 774. This determination may be referred to as "authenticating" the cartridge 300 associated with the detected specific cartridge identifier code 374. This determination may include determining that the detected specific cartridge identifier code 374 is associated with (e.g., identifying) a trusted cartridge 300 based on the authenticated specific cartridge identifier code 374. This determination may include associating the authenticated cartridge identifier code 374 with a user account 734 that is further associated with a particular detergent dispensing device 200. This particular detergent dispensing device 200 may be a particular detergent dispensing device 200 associated with a user account 734 supported by the computing device 700 and associated with the authentication in S540, a particular detergent dispensing device 200 from which the link signal was received in S504, or a particular detergent dispensing device 200.

[0185] At S518, the computing device 700, based on determining that the specific cartridge identifier code 374 is authenticated at S540 (e.g., S514=Yes), generates an apparatus enable command signal and / or sends an apparatus enable command signal to the detergent dispensing device 200 in response to authenticating the cartridge 300 associated with the detected (and authenticated) specific cartridge identifier code 374, to command the detergent dispensing device 200 (e.g., its controller 210) to selectively enable (e.g., unlock) operation of at least the dispenser device 208. Accordingly, at S518, the computing device 700 may send an apparatus enable command signal to the detergent dispensing device 200 to cause the detergent dispensing device to selectively enable operation of at least its dispenser device 208 in response to determining that the detected specific cartridge identifier code 374 matches the authentic cartridge identifier code 774 (e.g., S514=Yes at S540).

[0186] The computing device 700 may specifically send a device activation command signal to a specific detergent dispensing device 200, the specific detergent dispensing device 200 being associated with the device identity information 280 of a specific user account 734 supported by the computing device 700, and thus associated with the specific user account 734. The computing device 700 may specifically send the device activation command signal to the specific detergent dispensing device 200, and at S504, receive a connection signal from the specific detergent dispensing device 200.

[0187] As this article combines Figure 4 As described, the detergent dispensing device 200 (e.g., the controller 210) can be configured to selectively enable at least the dispenser device 208 (e.g., at S408) in response to receiving a device enable command signal sent at S518 by the computing device 700. The device enable command signal can include information identifying the specific cartridge 300 authenticated at S516 (e.g., information indicating the authenticated specific cartridge identifier code 374, at S514=yes), the information can be stored in the detergent dispensing device 200, the detergent dispensing device 200 can be configured to send an enable confirmation signal (e.g., at S410), the enable confirmation signal indicating that the detergent dispensing device 200 is enabled or "unlocked" in association with the specific cartridge 300 associated with the authenticated specific cartridge identifier code 374, and / or can be sent by the detergent dispensing device 200 to a separate device via remote network communication.

[0188] As a result, at S519, the computing device 700 may receive an activation confirmation signal from the detergent dispensing device 200 to which the device activation command signal was sent at S518. The activation confirmation signal may include information indicating that the activation confirmation signal is sent based on the dispenser device of the detergent dispensing device 200 selectively activating the device activation command signal sent at S518 to the detergent dispensing device 200. For example, the activation confirmation signal may include information identifying the specific detected cartridge identifier code 374 authenticated at S540, which caused the device activation command signal to be sent at S518.

[0189] In S520, in response to sending the device activation command signal to the detergent dispensing device 200 in S518 and / or in response to receiving the activation confirmation signal in S519 based on the detected specific cartridge identifier code 374 authenticated in S540, the computing device 700 may "deauthenticate" the one or more trusted cartridge identifier codes 774 determined to match the detected specific cartridge identifier code 374 in S514. Such deauthentication may include: deleting the authenticated cartridge identifier code 774 from the database 732, marking the deauthentication field of the trusted cartridge identifier code 774 of the database 732 entry as "in use," "deauthenticated," etc., modifying the authenticated cartridge identifier code 774 in the database 732 to "in use" or "deauthenticated" (e.g., when the cartridge identifier code is a 16-character code where the first, second, fifteenth, and sixteenth characters are "W," changing the sixteenth character to a different character, such as "C"), etc. Such deauthentication at S520 can prevent or reduce the likelihood of future unauthenticated reuse of a particular (authenticated) cartridge identifier code 374 to unlock the dispenser device 208 of one or more detergent dispensing devices 200 (e.g., unlocking the detergent dispensing device 200 based on a partially or completely depleted cartridge 300), thereby reducing or preventing the likelihood of causing the detergent dispensing device 200 to dispense an unauthenticated composition.

[0190] At S510 and S540, if the computing device 700 does not store a local database 732 of trusted cartridge identifier codes 774 (S510=No), then at S522, the computing device 700 may send an authentication request signal to a remote system 800 (e.g., a remote computing device 810 that at least partially supports the remote system 800) via the network communication link 802, the authentication request signal including information regarding the detected specific cartridge identifier code 374 (e.g., including a signal that includes the specific cartridge identifier code 374). Such an authentication request signal may include information identifying the cartridge identifier code 374, a request to determine whether the cartridge identifier code 374 is authenticated (e.g., matches one or more trusted cartridge identifier codes 774), information identifying the cleaning agent dispensing device 200 and / or the user account 734 associated with the computing device 700 and / or the authentication request signal, and / or the like.

[0191] As this article combines Figure 9A and 9B As described, the remote system 800 may determine whether the specific box identifier code 374 identified in the authentication request signal sent at S522 is authentic based on determining whether the specific box identifier code 374 is a authentic box identifier code stored in the remote database 832, matches one or more known authentic box identifier codes 774 stored in the remote database 832, and so on.

[0192] Similar to the determinations in S512 and S514 described herein, the determination made in the remote system 800 in response to the authentication request signal sent in S522 may include: 1) comparing the detected specific box identifier code 374 indicated by the authentication request signal with the trusted box identifier codes 774 stored in the database 832 to determine 2) whether the detected specific box identifier code 374 matches (e.g., is the same as) any trusted box identifier code 774 stored in the remote database 832.

[0193] If no match is found and / or the remote system 800 does not send an authentication confirmation signal to the computing device 700 within a specific time window (e.g., a time window of 30 seconds, 1 minute, 10 minutes, etc.) after the authentication request signal is sent at S522, then at S524, the computing device 700 may determine that no authentication confirmation signal was received from the remote system 800 in response to the authentication request signal (S524=No), the computing device 700 may respond by determining that the authentication attempt failed, and at S534, may generate a notification, which may include a graphical and / or audio indication provided to the user through one or more interfaces 760 of the computing device 700, the graphical and / or audio indication indicating that the authentication attempt failed, for example, due to the fact that the specific box identifier code 374 detected was determined to be associated with an unauthenticated or deauthenticated box identifier code.

[0194] If the remote system 800 determines that the detected specific box identifier code 374 matches at least one trusted box identifier code 774, the remote system 800 may send an authentication confirmation signal to the computing device 700 in response, wherein the authentication confirmation signal may identify the detected specific box identifier code 374 and / or an indicator of the authentication request signal sent at S522, and may also include information confirming that the detected specific box identifier code 374 is an authenticated box identifier code (e.g., matches at least one trusted box identifier code 774).

[0195] In response to receiving and processing the authentication confirmation signal to determine that the authentication confirmation signal is associated with the detected specific cartridge identifier code 374, and, for example, receiving the authentication confirmation signal within a specific time window (e.g., 2 minutes) after sending the authentication request signal at S522 (S524=Yes), at S526, the computing device 700 determines that the detected specific cartridge identifier code 374 is an authenticated cartridge indicator code, thereby determining that the specific cartridge 300 associated with the detected specific cartridge identifier code 374 is an authentic cartridge 300 associated with the authentic cartridge identifier code 774. This determination may include associating the authenticated cartridge identifier code 374 with a user account 734 that is further associated with the specific detergent dispensing device 200.

[0196] At S528, the computing device 700, based on determining that the specific cartridge identifier code 374 is authenticated at S540 (e.g., S524=Yes), generates an apparatus enable command signal and / or sends an apparatus enable command signal to the detergent dispensing device 200 in response to authenticating the cartridge 300 associated with the detected (and authenticated) specific cartridge identifier code 374, to command the detergent dispensing device 200 (e.g., the controller 210) to selectively enable (e.g., unlock) operation of at least the dispenser device 208. Accordingly, the computing device 700 of S528 may send an apparatus enable command signal to the detergent dispensing device 200 to cause the detergent dispensing device to selectively enable operation of at least its dispenser device 208 in response to determining that the detected specific cartridge identifier code 374 matches the authentic cartridge identifier code 774 (e.g., S524=Yes at S540).

[0197] The computing device 700 may specifically send the device activation command signal to a specific detergent dispensing device 200 that is associated with the device identity information 280 of the specific user account 734 supported by the computing device 700 and is therefore associated with the specific user account 734. The computing device 700 may specifically send the device activation command signal to the specific detergent dispensing device 200 from which the connection signal was received at S504.

[0198] As this article combines Figure 4 As described, the detergent dispensing device 200 (e.g., the controller 210) can be configured to selectively enable at least the dispenser device 208 (e.g., at S408) in response to receiving a device enable command signal sent by the computing device 700 at S528. The device enable command signal can include information identifying the specific cartridge 300 authenticated at S526 (e.g., information indicating the authenticated specific cartridge identifier code 374, at S524=yes), which can be stored in the detergent dispensing device 200, used by the detergent dispensing device 200 to send an enable confirmation signal (e.g., at S410), which indicates that the detergent dispensing device 200 is enabled or "unlocked" in association with the specific cartridge 300 associated with the authenticated specific cartridge identifier code 374, and / or can be sent by the detergent dispensing device 200 to a separate device via remote network communication.

[0199] As a result, at S529, the computing device 700 may receive an activation confirmation signal from the detergent dispensing device 200 to which the device activation command signal was sent at S528. The activation confirmation signal may include information indicating that the activation confirmation signal is sent based on the dispenser device selectively activating the detergent dispensing device 200 in response to the device activation command signal sent at S528 to the detergent dispensing device 200. For example, the activation confirmation signal may include information identifying the specific detected cartridge identifier code 374 authenticated at S524 = Yes, which caused the device activation command signal to be sent at S528.

[0200] At S530, in response to sending a device enable command signal to the detergent dispensing device 200 at S518 or S528, and / or in response to receiving an enable confirmation signal from the detergent dispensing device 200 at S519 or S529, the computing device 700 may send an enable indication signal to the remote system 800 to cause the remote system 800 to "de-authenticate" one or more trusted cartridge identifier codes 774, the detected particular cartridge identifier code 374 being determined to match the one or more trusted cartridge identifier codes 774, as determined at S536 (S524=Yes). Such deauthentication may include: deleting the authenticated cartridge identifier code 774 from the database 832, marking the deauthentication field of the database 732 entry for the authenticated cartridge identifier code 774 as "used," "deauthenticated," etc., modifying the authenticated cartridge identifier code 774 in the database 832 to "used" or "deauthenticated" (e.g., when the cartridge identifier code is a 16-character code where the first, second, fifteenth, and sixteenth characters are "W," changing the sixteenth character to a different character, such as "C"), etc. Such deauthentication may prevent or reduce the likelihood of future unauthenticated reuse of a particular (authenticated) cartridge identifier code 374 to unlock at least the dispenser device 208 of one or more detergent dispensing devices 200 (e.g., to unlock a detergent dispensing device 200 based on a partially or completely depleted cartridge 300), thereby reducing or preventing the likelihood that the detergent dispensing device 200 may be caused to dispense an unauthenticated composition.

[0201] At S532, the computing device 700 may receive one or more update signals from the detergent dispensing device 200 in response to the detergent dispensing device 200 performing one or more increments of a counter value as part of one or more interactive operations S440, thereby instructing the counter value of the detergent dispensing device 200 to repeatedly increment from the initial counter value. The computing device 700 may determine the amount (number) of remaining dispensing operations until the detergent dispensing device 200 is disabled due to exhaustion of the current connection box 300 that is currently connected to the detergent dispensing device 200 and performs the authentication of S540. The computing device 700 associates the remaining dispensing amount with the detergent dispensing device 200 that is currently linked to the computing device 700 and / or the user account 734 that is currently associated with the detergent dispensing device 200 from which the update signal is received. The computing device 700 may perform various operations in response to determining the number of remaining dispensings associated with the detergent dispensing device 200, including presenting an indication of the remaining dispensings (e.g., via a graphical indication of the touch screen display interface 760, such as Figure 10A and FIG. 10D to FIG. 10Ffields 2014, 2062, 2074, 2084 in the interfaces 2000a, 2000d-2000f shown in FIG) to the supported user, sending an order command signal to the remote system 800 through the network communication link 802, etc.

[0202] See also Figure 6 , Figure 6 The illustrated method includes a method of operating the computing device 700 of the system 3000 according to any example embodiment. Figure 6 Some or all of the operations of the illustrated method may be implemented by the computing device 700 , for example, based on the processor 720 of the computing device 700 executing an instruction program stored in the memory 730 of the computing device 700 .

[0203] In S602, the computing device 700 receives a warning signal (also referred to as a warning / purchase signal, a purchase command signal, etc.) from the detergent dispensing device 200 via the network communication link 702, wherein the detergent dispensing device 200 may be currently associated with a user account 734 supported by the computing device 700. The warning signal may include information indicating that a counter value of a counter implemented by the detergent dispensing device 200 has reached a particular threshold counter value (e.g., a second threshold counter value as described herein), and thus may indicate that the cartridge 300 currently coupled to the detergent dispensing device 200 is nearly depleted of the cleaning composition 230 within the cartridge reservoir 304 of the cartridge 300 (e.g., depleted to below at least a particular threshold). As shown in conjunction with Figure 4 As described above, in response to determining that a threshold counter value that does not meet the final depletion threshold counter value has been reached, such as a second threshold counter value between the initial counter value and the first threshold counter value indicating that the cartridge 300 is completely depleted (e.g., S428 = Yes and S430 = No), such a warning signal may be sent by the detergent dispensing device 200 (e.g., the controller 210) at S422. The warning signal may include information identifying the specific detergent dispensing device 200 that sent the warning signal (e.g., the device identification information 280), information identifying the cartridge 300 currently coupled to the detergent dispensing device 200 (e.g., the specific cartridge identifier code 374 associated with the cartridge), etc. The warning signal may indicate the currently incremented counter value of the counter implemented by the detergent dispensing device 200.

[0204] At S620, the computing device 700 processes the warning signal to determine that the cartridge 300 connected to the particular detergent dispensing device 200 associated with the user account 734 is nearly depleted (e.g., partially depleted to a threshold amount between a final depletion threshold and a near depletion threshold), such that the computing device 700 determines, based on receiving and processing the warning signal, that the cartridge reservoir 304 of the cartridge 300 currently connected to the detergent dispensing device 200 from which the warning signal was received contains an amount of detergent composition 230 that is equal to or less than the threshold amount. The computing device 700 may process the received warning signal to identify the device identity information 280 included in the warning signal and compare the device identity information 280 with the device identity information 280 stored in one or more user accounts 734 local to the computing device 700 to determine the particular user account 734 associated with the detergent dispensing device 200 from which the warning signal was received. In some exemplary embodiments, the computing device 700 may determine that the detergent dispensing device 200 associated with at least one user account 734 received the warning signal via a particular known network communication link 702.

[0205] like Figure 6 As shown, the process at S620 may include: at S604, accessing user account information 738 (e.g., user information 736) of a user account 734, from which the detergent dispensing device 200 from which the warning signal is received is associated with the user account 734 (via the device identity information 280 included in the user account 734 and the device identity information 280 associated with the user account 734). Figure 4 As described herein, the user account information 738 may include user information 736 indicating whether to authorize automatic (e.g., without manual user intervention) ordering and / or purchasing (collectively referred to herein as "ordering") of additional boxes to be shipped to the physical mailing address associated with the user account 734 (and therefore associated with the detergent dispensing device 200 from which the warning signal was received) in response to receiving the warning signal from the detergent dispensing device 200 linked to the computing device 700 via the network communication link 702 and / or receiving the warning signal from the detergent dispensing device 200 associated with the user account 734 indicated by the device identity information 280 included in the user account 734.

[0206] Accordingly, at S606, the computing device 700 determines whether the user account information 738 of the user account 734 associated with the detergent dispensing device 200 authorizes the ordering of one or more new (e.g., additional) cartridges to be shipped to a physical mailing address associated with the user account 734 (and thus associated with the detergent dispensing device 200 from which the warning signal was received), in response to the warning signal from the detergent dispensing device 200. In S606, such a determination may include determining whether the user account 734 includes address information identifying a specific physical mailing address to which the ordered cartridges are to be shipped, purchase information including information (e.g., bank account information, credit card information, etc.) that can be used to effectuate a purchase transaction, order transaction, shipping transaction, etc., through a purchase service, etc. The presence or absence of such information in the account information may prompt a yes or no at S606.

[0207] At S608, in response to determining at S606 that authentication is in place to automatically order new cartridges to be shipped to the physical mailing address associated with the user account 734 (and thus associated with the detergent dispensing device 200 from which the warning signal was received), at S608, the computing device 700 sends an order command signal to a remote system 800 (e.g., a remote computing device 810 that at least partially supports the remote system 800) via the network communication link 802. The order command signal may include a command to the remote system 800 to cause one or more cartridges to be ordered for shipment to the physical mailing address associated with the user account 734 (and thus associated with the detergent dispensing device 200 from which the warning signal was received) to allow replacement of the nearly depleted cartridge 300 that triggered the receipt of the warning signal.

[0208] The order command signal may include information obtained from the user information 736 accessed at S604, including physical mailing address information indicating a shipping address to which the one or more newly ordered boxes are to be shipped, purchase information that can be used to perform a financial transaction to facilitate the ordering and / or shipping of the one or more new boxes, information specifying a specific quantity of boxes to be ordered, etc. As described herein at least in conjunction with Figure 8A 、 Figure 8B 、 Figure 9A and Figure 9B As described, the remote system 800 can, in response to receiving the order command signal sent at S608, cause one or more cartridges (e.g., the number of cartridges specified in the order command signal) to be purchased, ordered, and / or shipped to a physical mailing address associated with the user account 734 (and therefore associated with the detergent dispensing device 200 from which the alert signal was received), wherein the physical mailing address can be specified in the order command signal. The remote system 800 can also, in response to receiving the order command signal, cause the user account 734 to be charged for the purchase of the one or more new cartridges.

[0209] In some exemplary embodiments, the remote system 800 may store a copy of the user account information 738 (including the user information 736) for the user account 734, and the order command signal may simply identify the specific user account 734 and command the order of one or more boxes to be shipped to the physical mailing address associated with the user account 734 (and thus associated with the detergent dispensing device 200 from which the warning signal was received), as specified by the user information 736 of the user account 734. In response, the remote system 800 may access the user information 736 of the user account 734 stored in the remote computing device 810 to determine the specific number of boxes to be purchased or ordered, the physical mailing address to which the purchased / ordered boxes are to be shipped ("shipped"), and the purchase information that the remote system 800 uses to execute the financial transaction to order and / or ship the one or more new boxes. The remote system 800 may then use the purchase information specified by the user account information 738 to purchase and / or order the number of boxes specified by the user account information 738 of the user account 734 and have them shipped to the physical mailing address specified by the user account 734 information.

[0210] In S610, the remote system 800 can send an order confirmation signal to the computing device 700 in response to receiving the order command signal sent to the remote system 800 by the computing device 700 in S608 and implementing the ordering (e.g., purchasing and / or ordering) of one or more boxes to be shipped to the physical mailing address associated with the user account 734 (and thus associated with the detergent dispensing device 200 from which the warning signal was received in S602). The remote system 800 can send the order confirmation signal in response to processing the order command signal and causing the purchase, ordering and / or shipping of one or more new boxes. The order confirmation signal can include information indicating the number of boxes purchased / ordered / ordered to be shipped, the physical mailing address to which the boxes are to be shipped, the expected shipping date for the boxes to be shipped, the financial amount of the user account 734 and / or related financial accounts (e.g., bank accounts, credit card accounts, etc.), etc.

[0211] At S612, the computing device 700 generates a warning indication that is provided to a user supported by the computing device 700 via the interface 760 of the computing device 700, for example, by Figure 10E7. A graphical indication is provided by a graphical user interface displayed on the touch screen display interface 760 shown. Such a warning indication may indicate that the cartridge 300 currently connected to the detergent dispensing device 200 and / or associated with a particular user account 734 supported by the computing device 700 is nearly depleted and / or below a threshold value (e.g., a threshold number of dispenses remaining from the detergent dispensing device 200 before at least selectively disabling the dispenser device 208), wherein the computing device 700 is communicatively coupled to the detergent dispensing device 200 via the network communication link 702. In the event that S606 authenticates the purchase of a new cartridge in order to perform operations S608 and S610, the warning indication S622 may include information (e.g., a graphical icon, such as Figure 10E ), the information indicates the purchase, ordering and / or ordering of one or more new boxes to be shipped to a specific mailing address associated with the computing device 700, the detergent dispensing apparatus 200 and / or the user account 734, wherein the information of the user account 734 is stored in the computing device 700. When the purchase and / or ordering of the new box is not authenticated at S606, the warning indication may include an invitation (e.g., Figure 10E 760 ), a supported user may interact to manually command the purchase, order, and / or shipment of one or more new boxes 300 , responsively causing operation S608 to be performed.

[0212] At S614, the computing device 700 determines whether an indication has been received that a supported user has acquired a new cartridge 300 and that the new cartridge 300 is ready to be coupled to (or already coupled to) a detergent dispensing apparatus 200 linked to the computing device 700 and / or a user account 734 supported by the computing device 700, such that the user requests authentication of the acquired new cartridge 300 and responsively unlocks the associated detergent dispensing apparatus 200. Such a determination may be made in conjunction with the Figure 5 If yes (S614=Yes), the process proceeds to operation "A" to continue to Figure 5 Operation S506 of the method shown.

[0213] If not (S614=No), then at S616, the computing device 700 determines whether a disable signal (eg, Figure 4If not (S616=No), the method returns to S614 to wait for a new cartridge indication or a disable signal. If so (S616=Yes), then at S618, the computing device 700 generates a disable indication that is provided to a user of the computing device 700 via an interface 760 of the computing device 700, such as via a touch screen display interface 760 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 1 ). Figure 10F Such a disable indication may indicate that the cartridge 300 currently connected to the detergent dispensing device 200 that is communicatively linked to the computing device 700 via the network communication link 702 and / or associated with a particular user account 734 supported by the computing device 700 is completely depleted and / or depleted below a final depletion threshold, and that the associated detergent dispensing device 200 is disabled (e.g., locked) such that at least the dispenser device 208 is disabled from further dispensing operations. Figure 10F As shown, such a prohibition instruction may include an invitation to the supported user to obtain a new cartridge 300 to replace the exhausted cartridge 300 coupled to the detergent dispensing device 200 and instructions to obtain the new cartridge 300 and prepare for authentication, such as in conjunction with Figure 5 The method described.

[0214] See also Figure 7 , Figure 7 The illustrated method includes a method of operating the computing device 700 of the system 3000 according to any example embodiment. Figure 7 Some or all of the operations of the illustrated method may be implemented by the computing device 700 , for example, based on the processor 720 of the computing device 700 executing an instruction program stored in the memory 730 of the computing device 700 .

[0215] In S702, in response to a user's interaction with at least one interface 760 of the computing device 700 (eg, the user interacts with the computing device 700 through the interface 760). Figure 10A and / or Figure 10B734 entries (also referred to herein as user accounts 734) that are stored locally on the computing device 700 and / or remotely on the remote system 800. The computing device 700 may create user account 734 entries and, based on user interactions with the one or more interfaces 760, populate the user account 734 entries with user-provided user account information (e.g., user information 736). In some example embodiments, the computing device 700 may communicate with the remote system 800 via a network communication link 802 to obtain user account information 738 associated with a pre-existing user account 734 to populate the user information 736 of the user account 734 entries. In some example embodiments, the computing device 700 may communicate with the remote system 800 via a network communication link 802 to transfer the user account 734 entries to a new user account 734. At S702 , the computing device may associate computing device 700 with user account 734 such that user account information included in the user account 734 entry may include user information 736 identifying computing device 700 as a device supporting and / or associated with user account 734 .

[0216] In S704, a determination is made as to whether to attempt to establish a network communication link 702 with the detergent dispensing device 200 (alone or in addition to associating the detergent dispensing device 200 with the user account 734). This determination may be based on whether a signal is received from the network communication interface 224 of the detergent dispensing device 200, whether a user command to attempt to establish the network communication link 702 is received through the interface 760, etc. This determination may be based on determining that a user command is received at the computing device 700 (e.g., the user command may be input through user interaction with the interface 760 of the computing device 700) to attempt to discover and establish the network communication link 702 with the detergent dispensing device 200 through any known network communication link discovery, handshake, and / or link establishment method. This determination may be based on determining whether the detergent dispensing device 200 is detected at least at the network communication interface 750 of the computing device 700. This determination may be based on determining whether a network communication link request (e.g., handshake) signal is received at the computing device 700 from the detergent dispensing device 200 through the network communication interface 750. Such a determination may be based on a determination of whether user approval is received at computing device 700 (e.g., by interacting with a graphical icon of a graphical user interface displayed by interface 760, such as Figure 10A ), to approve the establishment of a network communication link 702 with the detected detergent dispensing device 200.

[0217] If not (S704=No), the method returns to S704. If yes (S704=Yes), then at S706, the computing device 700 establishes a network communication link 702 with the detergent dispensing device 200. The network communication link 702 may be established at S706 in response to receiving a user command (input through user interaction with the interface 760) to attempt to discover and establish a network communication link 702 with the detergent dispensing device 200 through any known network communication link discovery, handshake and / or link establishment method. The network communication link 702 may be established at S706 in response to at least the network communication interface 750 of the computing device 700 detecting the detergent dispensing device 200. The network communication link 702 may be established in response to receiving a network communication link request (e.g., a handshake) signal from the detergent dispensing device 200 through the network communication interface 750. The network communication link 702 may be established in response to requesting and receiving user approval (e.g., by interacting with a graphical icon of a graphical user interface displayed through the interface 760, such as Figure 10A ) to approve the establishment of a network communication link 702 with the detected detergent dispensing device 200.

[0218] At S706, the computing device 700 communicates with the linked detergent dispensing device 200 via the network communication link 702 to obtain device identity information 280 that identifies (e.g., uniquely identifies) the detergent dispensing device 200. At S708, the computing device 700 may associate the obtained device identity information 280, and the specific detergent dispensing device 200 associated therewith, with a user account 734 entry, thereby associating the specific detergent dispensing device 200 with the user account 734. In some example embodiments, the computing device 700 may communicate with the remote system 800 via the network communication link 802 to associate the specific detergent dispensing device 200 with the specific user account 734, including forwarding ("sending") user account information (e.g., user information 736) associated with the locally stored user account 734 entry to the remote system 800, so that the remote system 800 updates the remotely stored user account 734 entry associated with the specific detergent dispensing device.

[0219] See also Figure 8A and Figure 8B , Figure 8A and Figure 8B The method shown in includes a method of operating the detergent dispensing apparatus 200, the computing device 700, and the remote system 800 that controls the system 3000 according to any of the example embodiments.

[0220] Figure 8A and Figure 8BThe operations of the method shown in FIG. 7 and implemented by the computing device 700 may be implemented based on the processor 720 of the computing device 700 executing a program of instructions stored in the memory 730 of the computing device 700. Figure 8A and Figure 8B The operations of the method shown in the figure can be implemented by the controller 210, for example, based on the processor of the controller 210 executing the instruction program stored in the memory of the controller 210. Figure 8A and Figure 8B The operations of the method shown in can be implemented based on a processor of at least one remote computing device 810, which at least partially supports the remote system 800 to execute an instruction program stored in the memory of at least one remote computing device 810 (which can be the same or different at least one remote computing device 810) that at least partially supports the remote system 800.

[0221] In S802, the remote system 800 sends information to the computing device 700 indicating one or more trusted cartridge identifier codes 774 that may be stored in the remote database 832 at the remote system 800. The computing device 700 Figure 5 The aforementioned S502 receives the trusted cartridge identifier code 774. The sending at S802 may include sending a portion or all of the remote database 832 of the trusted cartridge identifier codes 774 stored in the remote system 800 so that the computing device 700 generates and / or updates (e.g., modifies) the local database 732 stored in the computing device 700. The remote database 832 and the local database 732 may include a list of entries, each entry identifying one or more trusted cartridge identifier codes 774, the one or more trusted cartridge identifier codes 774 being associated with one or more authentication cartridges 300, the one or more authentication cartridges 300 being detachably coupled to the detergent dispensing device 200 so that the detergent dispensing system 1100 dispenses the authenticated cleaning composition 230.

[0222] At S804, the user provides a "new" box 300 at least in proximity to the computing device 700 (eg, to enable interaction between the computing device 700 and the box 300 to enable Figure 5 and FIG8A to FIG8B Such arrangement in S804 may include detachably coupling the cartridge 300 to the detergent dispensing device 200, such as in conjunction with Figure 1A and 1B and Figures 2A to 2DSuch provisioning in S804 may include a user simply obtaining the cartridge 300 and positioning the cartridge 300 proximate the computing device 700 and / or the detergent dispensing apparatus 200 such that the cartridge 300 has not yet been detachably coupled to the detergent dispensing apparatus 200 in S804 .

[0223] In some exemplary embodiments, the detergent dispensing device 200 (e.g., the controller 210) is configured to determine at S402 that the cartridge 300 is coupled to the detergent dispensing device 200 (e.g., based on determining that a circuit including the electrical switching device 1280 is closed due to the electrical switching device 1280 being in the off switch position, which is in the off switch position due to engagement with the cartridge 300). In response to such a determination at S402, the detergent dispensing device 200 (e.g., the controller 210) may send a coupling signal to the computing device 700 via the network communication link 702 at S403.

[0224] At S504, the computing device 700 receives an indication to obtain a new cartridge (provided at the detergent dispensing apparatus 200 at S804) and requests authentication thereof to selectively enable (and / or reset) the detergent dispensing apparatus 200, as shown in FIG. Figure 5 Such an indication may include a connection signal sent from the detergent dispensing apparatus 200 to the computing device 700 at S403.

[0225] At S506 , the computing device 700 obtains 790 the cartridge information 372 from the cartridge indicator 370 of the new cartridge 300 , for example, based on one or more detection devices 770 (e.g., a camera device, an NFC communication interface, etc.) controlling the computing device 700 . Figure 5 In S508, the computing device 700 detects the specific cartridge identifier code 374 indicated by the detected cartridge indicator 370 based on processing the acquired cartridge information 372, thereby detecting the specific cartridge identifier code 374 associated with the new cartridge 300 based on acquiring the cartridge information 372 from the cartridge indicator 370 of the cartridge 300, as described with respect to S506. Figure 5 As described in S508 shown.

[0226] At S540, the computing device 700 determines that the detected particular cartridge identifier code 374 corresponds to (eg, matches, is the same as) an authentic cartridge identifier code 774, as described herein with respect to Figure 5 At S516, the computing device 700 authenticates the new cartridge 300 based on determining that the particular cartridge identifier code 374 associated with the new cartridge 300 is authenticated (e.g., matches a trusted cartridge identifier code 774 stored in the database 732), as described herein with respect to Figure 5At S518, the computing device 700 sends a device activation command signal to the detergent dispensing device 200 via the network communication link 702 in response to authenticating the new cartridge 300, as described herein in conjunction with Figure 5 As described in S518.

[0227] At S404 (eg, S404=Yes), the detergent dispensing device 200 (eg, the controller 210) receives a device enable command signal from the computing device 700, as described herein with respect to Figure 4 At S408, the detergent dispensing device 200 (eg, the controller 210) selectively enables operation of at least the dispenser device 208 of the detergent dispensing device 200 in response to the device enable command signal, as described herein in conjunction with Figure 4 At S410, the detergent dispensing device 200 sends an activation confirmation signal to the computing device 700 via the network communication link 702 in response to the operation of selectively enabling at least one dispenser device 208 in S404, as described herein in conjunction with Figure 4 At S519, the computing device 700 receives an activation confirmation signal from the detergent dispensing device 200, as described in conjunction with S410. Figure 5 The S519 description.

[0228] At S520, the computing device 700 deauthenticates the trusted cartridge identifier code 774 determined at S540 to match the detected specific cartridge identifier code 374 in response to receiving the activation confirmation signal from the detergent dispensing device 200 at S519 and / or in response to sending the device activation command signal at S518. Deauthentication may include deleting the trusted cartridge identifier code 774 from the local database 732 and / or marking the deauthentication field of the database entry for the trusted cartridge identifier code 774 in the database 732 as "used", "deauthenticated", etc., as described herein in conjunction with Figure 5 The S520 is described.

[0229] At S530, the computing device 700 sends an enable indication signal to the remote system 800 via the network communication link 802 in response to receiving an enable confirmation signal from the detergent dispensing device 200 at S519, in response to sending a device enable command signal at S518, and / or in response to locally deauthenticating the trusted cartridge identifier code 774 that matches the detected particular cartridge identifier code 374 at S520, as herein combined. Figure 5The activation indication signal may indicate the specific cartridge identifier code 374 determined to correspond to the trusted cartridge identifier code 774 at S540, and / or may indicate the trusted cartridge identifier code 774 that matches the detected specific cartridge identifier code 374. The activation indication signal may indicate the specific user account 734, detergent dispensing device 200, etc. associated with the specific cartridge identifier code 374.

[0230] At S806, the remote system 800 receives the activation indication signal from the computing device 700. At S808, the remote system 800 deauthenticates the specific trusted cartridge identifier code 774 that matches the detected specific cartridge identifier code 374, which may include deleting the matching trusted cartridge identifier code in the local database 732 and / or marking the deauthentication field of the database entry for the trusted cartridge identifier code 774 in the database 832 as "in use," "deauthenticated," "etc., as described herein in conjunction with Figure 5 The S530 is described.

[0231] like Figure 8A and Figure 8B As shown, after selectively enabling the dispenser operation at S404, the detergent dispensing device 200 may iteratively perform operations S412 to S428 as Figure 4 The operation S440 shown in FIG. 1 is continued until it is determined that S428 = yes, S430 = no, as herein combined with Figure 4 During operation S440, the detergent dispensing device 200 may increase a counter value in response to each operation of the dispenser device 208 and may send an update signal indicating the currently incremented counter value to the computing device 700. The computing device 700 may receive the update signal and update an indication of a stored remaining dispense quantity (“amount”) associated with the detergent dispensing device 200 and / or the cartridge 300 currently coupled to the detergent dispensing device 200 (e.g., where the remaining dispense is the difference between the current counter value and a stored first threshold counter value associated with partial or complete depletion of the cartridge reservoir 304 of the currently coupled cartridge 300).

[0232] In S432, in response to determining that a threshold counter value that is not (e.g., less than) the first threshold counter value (e.g., a second threshold counter value that may be a near-exhaustion threshold counter value) is reached (e.g., S428=Yes and S430=No, as described herein in conjunction with Figure 4 ), the detergent dispensing device 200 sends a warning signal to the computing device 700 via the network communication link 702, as described herein in conjunction with Figure 4 As described in S432.

[0233] In S602, the computing device 700 receives and processes the warning signal, as described herein in conjunction with Figure 6 At S608, in response to the received warning signal, the computing device 700 sends an order command signal to the remote system 800 via the network communication link 802, as described herein with respect to Figure 6 The description of S620 and S608. Figure 6 As described above, the order command signal sent by the computing device 700 may include user account information associated with (e.g., identified by) a particular user account 734, including user information identifying a particular physical mailing address for shipping the new cartridges 300, purchase information for permitting a financial transaction to purchase, order, and / or ship one or more new cartridges 300, a specific quantity of cartridges 300 to be purchased, ordered, and / or shipped, and a command for effectuating (e.g., executing) the purchase, order, and / or shipment of the one or more new cartridges associated with the user account 734, such that the one or more new cartridges 300 are shipped to the physical mailing address associated with the user account 734 and / or the detergent dispensing device 200 (which itself may be associated with the user account 734). The order command signal may simply specify the user account 734 and / or the detergent dispensing device 200, and a command for effectuating the cartridge purchase and / or order associated with the user account 734 and / or the detergent dispensing device 200.

[0234] At S810, the remote system 800 receives an order command signal, for example, at a remote computing device 810 that at least partially supports the remote system 800. At S812, the remote system (e.g., the remote computing device 810) causes a specific number of new boxes to be purchased, ordered, and / or shipped (collectively, "ordered") in accordance with the order command signal. To implement the command at S812, the remote system 800 may interact with one or more separate services that may be supported by one or more other computing devices, including a storage box purchase and / or ordering service, a financial transaction service for implementing the purchase and / or ordering, a mailing or shipping service for implementing the shipping, and the like. In some exemplary embodiments, the remote system 800 may store a copy of the user account 734 information, including the user information 736. The order command signal may simply identify the specific user account 734 and command the purchase or ordering of one or more boxes specified by the user information 736 of the user account 734. In response, the remote system 800 may access the user information 736 of the user account 734 stored in the remote computing device 810 to determine the specific quantity of boxes to be purchased or ordered, the physical mailing address to which the purchased / ordered boxes are to be shipped / delivered, and the purchasing information for the remote system 800 to perform the financial transaction to purchase and / or ship one or more new boxes. Then, at S812, the remote system 800 may use the purchasing information specified by the user account 734 information to purchase and / or order the quantity of boxes specified by the user account 734 information, shipped to the physical mailing address specified by the user account 734 information, thereby being associated with the user account 734 (and also associated with the detergent dispensing device 200, which is associated with the user account 734 and may be the detergent dispensing device 200 that sent the warning signal at S432).

[0235] In S814, in response to effecting the purchase, ordering, and / or shipping of one or more new boxes associated with the user account 734, and in response to receiving the order command signal from the computing device 700 at S810, the remote system 800 sends an order confirmation signal to the computing device 700, which receives the order confirmation signal at S610, as described herein in conjunction with Figure 6 The order confirmation signal may be combined with Figure 6 Instructing the purchase, ordering and / or delivery of one or more specific boxes. In S612, the computing device 700 may, for example, Figure 10E The displayed warning interface 2000e is shown to provide warnings and / or purchase instructions to the user of the support, as described herein with respect to Figure 6 As described in S622.

[0236] Accordingly, the reference is also combined with Figure 4 At least S432 described and also combined Figure 6As described at S602 and S608, the detergent dispensing device 200 linked to the computing device 700 may be configured to send a warning signal to the computing device 700 at S432 in response to determining (e.g., based on determining S428=yes and S430=no) that the current counter value (incremented at S422) satisfies at least a second threshold counter value, the second threshold counter value may be less than the first threshold counter value determined at S430, the second threshold counter value may be between the initial counter value and the first threshold counter value, the computing device 700 (e.g., a processor thereof) may be configured to execute an instruction program to send an order command signal to a remote system via a network communication link at S608 to cause at least one new box to be shipped to a physical mailing address associated with the detergent dispensing device (e.g., due to the remote system commanding an order for one or more new boxes at S812) in response to the warning signal received at S602.

[0237] At S430 and S434, the detergent dispensing apparatus 200 determines that the currently incremented counter value of the detergent dispensing apparatus 200 at least meets (e.g., is equal to or greater than) a specific first threshold counter value associated with complete depletion of the current coupling cartridge 300 (e.g., S430=Yes), and in response, disables operation of at least the dispenser device 208 of the detergent dispensing apparatus 200, as in conjunction with Figure 4 At S436, the detergent dispensing device 200 sends a disable signal to the computing device 700 to indicate that the dispenser device 208 and / or the cartridge reservoir 304 of the cartridge 300 coupled to the detergent dispensing device 200 is depleted, as described herein with respect to Figure 4 At S616=Yes, the computing device 700 receives and processes the disable signal and, in response, for example, via Figure 10F The display interface 2000f shown provides a prohibition indication to the supported user via one or more interfaces 760, such as regarding Figure 6 As described in S618.

[0238] See also Figure 9A and Figure 9B , Figure 9A and Figure 9B The method shown in includes a method of operating the detergent dispensing apparatus 200, the computing device 700, and the remote system 800 that controls the system 3000 according to any of the example embodiments.

[0239] Computing device 700 implements Figure 9A and Figure 9B The operations of the method shown in the figure can be implemented by executing the instruction program stored in the memory 730 of the computing device 700 by the processor 720 of the computing device 700. Figure 9A and Figure 9B The operation of the method shown in the embodiment can be implemented based on the processor of the controller 210 executing the instruction program stored in the memory of the controller 210. Figure 9A and Figure 9B The operations of the method shown in can be implemented based on a processor of at least one remote computing device 810 that at least partially supports the remote system 800 executing an instruction program stored in a memory of at least one remote computing device 810 that at least partially supports the remote system 800 (which can be the same as or different from the at least one remote computing device 810).

[0240] In S900, the remote system 800 creates and / or maintains a remote database at the remote system 800, wherein the remote database 832 includes a list of entries that each identify one or more trusted cartridge identifier codes 774, the one or more trusted cartridge identifier codes 774 being associated with one or more authenticated cartridges 300 that can be removably coupled to the cleaning agent dispensing device 200 to enable the system 1100 to dispense an authenticated cleaning composition.

[0241] At S804, the user provides a "new" box 300 at least in proximity to the computing device 700 (eg, enabling interaction between the computing device 700 and the box 300 to enable the Figure 5 and authentication at S516 shown in FIG8). Such arrangement in S804 may include removably coupling the cartridge 300 to the detergent dispensing device 200, such as in conjunction with Figure 1A and Figure 1B and Figures 2A to 2D Such provisioning in S804 may include a user simply obtaining the cartridge 300 and positioning the cartridge 300 in a physical location proximate to the computing device 700 such that the cartridge 300 is not yet detachably coupled to the detergent dispensing apparatus 200 at S804 .

[0242] In some exemplary embodiments, the detergent dispensing device 200 (e.g., the controller 210) is configured to determine at S402 that the cartridge 300 is coupled to the detergent dispensing device 200 (e.g., based on determining that a circuit including the electrical switching device 1280 is closed due to the electrical switching device 1280 being in the off switch position, which is in the off switch position due to engagement with the cartridge 300). In response to such a determination at S402, the detergent dispensing device 200 (e.g., the controller 210) may send a coupling signal to the computing device 700 via the network communication link 702 at S403.

[0243] At S504, the computing device 700 receives an instruction to obtain a new cartridge (provided at the detergent dispensing device 200 at S804) and request authentication thereof to unlock (and / or reset) the detergent dispensing device 200, as shown at S504 in FIG5 . Such an instruction may include a connection signal sent from the detergent dispensing device 200 to the computing device 700 at S403.

[0244] At S506 , the computing device 700 obtains 790 the cartridge information 372 from the cartridge indicator 370 of the new cartridge 300 , for example, based on one or more detection devices 770 (e.g., a camera device, an NFC communication interface, etc.) controlling the computing device 700 . Figure 5 In S508, the computing device 700 detects the specific cartridge identifier code 374 indicated by the detected cartridge indicator 370 based on processing the acquired cartridge information 372, thereby detecting the specific cartridge identifier code 374 associated with the new cartridge 300 based on acquiring the cartridge information 372 from the cartridge indicator 370 of the cartridge 300, as described herein with respect to S506. Figure 5 As described in S508.

[0245] At S522 and S540, the computing device sends an authentication request signal to the remote system 800, wherein the authentication request signal includes information indicating the detected specific cartridge identifier code 374 and includes a request for the remote system 800 to determine whether the specific cartridge identifier code 374 matches one or more trusted cartridge identifier codes 774, as described herein with respect to Figure 5 As described in S522.

[0246] In S902, the remote system 800 receives an authentication request signal indicating a specific cartridge identifier code 374 from the computing device 700. In S904, the remote system 800 accesses a remote database 832 of trusted cartridge identifier codes 774 and compares the specific cartridge identifier code 374 indicated by the authentication request signal with the trusted cartridge identifier codes 774 in the database 832 to determine whether the specific cartridge identifier code 374 matches one or more trusted cartridge identifier codes 374 stored in the database 832. The determination in S904 may be combined with the present invention. Figure 5 and Figures 8A to 8B The determination of S540 described above is performed similarly, except that the determination is made at the remote system 800 rather than the computing device 700. At S906, the remote system 800 responds to the determination that the particular cartridge identifier code 374 matches at least one trusted cartridge identifier code 774 stored in the database 832 by sending an authentication confirmation signal to the computing device 700, wherein the authentication confirmation signal indicates that the particular cartridge identifier code 374 is a trusted cartridge identifier code.

[0247] At S524 and S540, the computing device 700 receives an authentication confirmation signal from the remote system 800, such as Figure 5 At S526, the computing device 700 determines that the particular cartridge identifier code 374 associated with the new cartridge 300 is authenticated in response to receiving and processing the authentication confirmation signal received at S524, thereby authenticating the new cartridge 300, as described herein with respect to Figure 5 At S528, the computing device 700 sends a device activation command signal to the detergent dispensing device 200 via the network communication link 702 in response to authenticating the new cartridge 300, as described herein with respect to Figure 5 As described in S528.

[0248] Accordingly, see Figure 5 and Figure 9A , wherein the remote system 800 stores a remote database 832 of one or more trusted box identifier codes 774, the computing device 700 may be used to send an authentication request signal indicating a specific box identifier code 374 to the remote system 800 via the network communication link 802 at S522, and the remote system 800 may compare the specific box identifier code 374 with the one or more trusted box identifier codes 774 stored in the database 832 at S904 to determine, in response to receiving and processing the authentication request signal, that the specific box identifier code 374 matches at least one trusted box identifier code 774 from the one or more trusted box identifier codes 774 stored in the database 832, and in response to determining that the specific box identifier code 374 matches the at least one trusted box identifier code 774, send an authentication confirmation signal to the computing device at S906. The computing device 700 may determine at S540 (e.g., at S524=Yes) that the detected specific cartridge identifier code 374 matches the at least one trusted cartridge identifier code 774, thereby determining that the detected specific cartridge identifier code 374 is authenticated, in response to processing the authentication confirmation signal received from the remote system 800 at S524. The computing device 700 may determine at S540 (e.g., at S524=Yes) that the detected specific cartridge identifier code 374 matches the at least one trusted cartridge identifier code 774, in response to receiving the authentication confirmation signal within a specific time period (e.g., a 30-second period) from the time the computing device sent the authentication request signal to the remote system 800 at S522 at S524.

[0249] At S404=Yes, the detergent dispensing device 200 (eg, the controller 210) receives a device enable command signal from the computing device 700, as described herein with respect to Figure 4At S408, the detergent dispensing device 200 (eg, the controller 210) selectively enables operation of at least the dispenser device 208 of the detergent dispensing device 200 in response to the device enable command signal, as described herein in conjunction with Figure 4 In S410, the detergent dispensing device 200 sends an activation confirmation signal to the computing device 700 via the network communication link 702 in response to the operation of selectively enabling at least one dispenser device 208 in S404, as described in conjunction with Figure 4 In S529, the computing device 700 receives an activation confirmation signal from the detergent dispensing device 200, as described in conjunction with Figure 5 As described in S529.

[0250] At S530, the computing device 700 sends an activation indication signal to the remote system 800 via the network communication link 802 in response to receiving the activation confirmation signal from the detergent dispensing device 200 at S529 and / or in response to sending the device activation command signal at S528, as described in relation to the example embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 The activation indication signal may indicate a specific cartridge identifier code 374 and / or an authentic cartridge identifier code 774 that matches the detected specific cartridge identifier code 374. The activation indication signal may indicate a specific user account 734, detergent dispensing device 200, etc. associated with the specific cartridge identifier code 374.

[0251] In S806, the remote system 800 receives an activation indication signal from the computing device 700. In S808, the remote system 800 deauthenticates the specific trusted cartridge identifier code 774 that matches the detected specific cartridge identifier code 374, which may include deleting the matching trusted cartridge identifier code in the local database 732 and / or marking the deauthentication field of the database entry for the trusted cartridge identifier code 774 in the database 832 as "used," "deauthenticated," etc., as described in conjunction with Figure 5 The S530 is described.

[0252] like Figure 9A and Figure 9B As shown, after selectively enabling the dispenser operation at S404, the detergent dispensing device 200 may iteratively perform operations S412 to S428 as operation S440. Figure 4 As shown, until it is determined that S428 = yes, S430 = no, as shown in Figure 4During operation S440, the detergent dispensing device 200 may increase a counter value in response to each operation of the dispenser device 208 and may send an update signal indicating the currently incremented counter value to the computing device 700. The computing device 700 may receive the update signal and update a stored indication of the remaining dispense quantity (“amount”) of the detergent dispensing device 200 and / or the cartridge 300 currently coupled to the detergent dispensing device 200 (e.g., where the remaining dispense is the difference between the current counter value and a stored first threshold counter value, the first threshold counter value being associated with partial or complete depletion of the cartridge reservoir 304 of the currently coupled cartridge 300).

[0253] In S432, in response to determining that a threshold counter value that is not (e.g., less than) the first threshold counter value (e.g., a second threshold counter value that is close to the exhaustion threshold counter value) is reached (e.g., S428=Yes and S430=No, as described herein in conjunction with Figure 4 The cleaning agent dispensing device 200 sends a warning signal to the computing device 700 via the network communication link 702, as described herein. Figure 4 As described in S432.

[0254] In S602, the computing device 700 receives and processes the warning signal, such as in conjunction with Figure 6 At S608, the computing device 700 sends an order command signal to the remote system 800 via the network communication link 802 in response to the received warning signal, as described herein with respect to Figure 6 The description of S620 and S608. Figure 6 As described above, the order command signal sent by the computing device 700 may include user account information associated with (e.g., identifying) a particular user account 734, user information including information identifying a particular physical mailing address for shipping the new cartridges 300, purchase information for permitting a financial transaction to purchase, order, and / or ship one or more new cartridges 300, a particular quantity of cartridges 300 for purchase, order, and / or shipment, and a command for effectuating (e.g., executing) the purchase, order, and / or shipment of the one or more new cartridges associated with the user account 734, such that the one or more new cartridges 300 are shipped to the physical mailing address associated with the user account 734 and / or the detergent dispensing device 200 (which itself may be associated with the user account 734). The order command signal may simply specify the user account 734 and / or the detergent dispensing device 200, and a command for effectuating the cartridge purchase and / or order associated with the user account 734 and / or the detergent dispensing device 200.

[0255] At S810, the remote system 800 receives an order command signal, for example, at a remote computing device 810 that at least partially supports the remote system 800. At S812, the remote system (e.g., the remote computing device 810) implements the purchase, ordering, and / or delivery (collectively, "order") of a specified number of new boxes in accordance with the order command signal. To implement the command of S812, the remote system 800 may interact with one or more separate services that may be supported by one or more other computing devices, including a box purchase and / or ordering service, a financial transaction service for implementing the purchase and / or ordering, a mailing or shipping service for implementing the delivery, and the like. In some exemplary embodiments, the remote system 800 may store a copy of the user account 734 information, including the user information 736. The order command signal may simply identify the specific user account 734 and command the purchase or order of one or more boxes specified by the user information 736 of the user account 734. In response, the remote system 800 may access the user information 736 of the user account 734 stored in the remote computing device 810 to determine the specific quantity of boxes to be purchased or ordered, the physical mailing address to which the purchased / ordered boxes are to be shipped / delivered, and the purchasing information for the remote system 800 to perform the financial transaction to purchase and / or ship one or more new boxes. Then, at S812, the remote system 800 may use the purchasing information specified by the user account 734 information to purchase and / or order the quantity of boxes specified by the user account 734 information, shipped to the physical mailing address specified by the user account 734 information, thereby being associated with the user account 734 (and also associated with the detergent dispensing device 200, which is associated with the user account 734 and may be the detergent dispensing device 200 that sent the warning signal at S432).

[0256] In S814, in response to effecting the purchase, ordering, and / or shipping of one or more new boxes associated with the user account 734, and in response to receiving the order command signal from the computing device 700 in S810, the remote system 800 sends an order confirmation signal to the computing device 700, which receives the order confirmation signal in S610, as described herein in conjunction with Figure 6 The order confirmation signal may be combined with Figure 6 As described, the purchase, ordering and / or delivery of one or more specific boxes can be indicated. In S612, the computing device 700 can, for example, Figure 10E The displayed warning interface 2000e is shown, providing warnings and / or purchase instructions to the supported user, such as regarding Figure 6 The S622 is described.

[0257] Accordingly, the reference is also combined with Figure 4 At least S432 described and also combined Figure 6As described at S602 and S608, the detergent dispensing device 200 linked to the computing device 700 may be configured to send an alert signal to the computing device 700 at S432 in response to determining (e.g., based on determining S428=yes and S430=no) that the current counter value (incremented at S422) satisfies at least a second threshold counter value, the second threshold counter value may be less than the first threshold counter value determined at S430, the second threshold counter value may be between the initial counter value and the first threshold counter value, the computing device 700 (e.g., a processor thereof) may be configured to execute an instruction program to send an order command signal to the remote system via the network communication link at S608 to cause at least one new box to be shipped to a physical mailing address associated with the detergent dispensing device in response to the alert signal received at S602 (e.g., due to the remote system commanding an order for one or more new boxes at S812).

[0258] At S430 and S434, the detergent dispensing apparatus 200 determines that the current incrementing counter value of the detergent dispensing apparatus 200 at least meets (e.g., is equal to or greater than) a specific first threshold counter value associated with complete depletion of the current coupling cartridge 300 (e.g., S430=Yes), and in response, disables operation of at least the dispenser device 208 of the detergent dispensing apparatus 200, as described herein in conjunction with Figure 4 At S436, the detergent dispensing device 200 sends a disable signal to the computing device 700 to indicate that the dispenser device 208 is disabled and / or the cartridge reservoir 304 of the cartridge 300 coupled to the detergent dispensing device 200 is exhausted, as described herein with respect to Figure 4 At S616=Yes, the computing device 700 receives and processes the disable signal and, in response, Figure 10F The display interface 2000f shown provides a prohibition indication to the supported user via one or more interfaces 760, such as regarding Figure 6 As described in S618.

[0259] See for example Figure 5 S512-S514 and S522-S524 of S540 shown in FIG. Figure 8A and Figure 9A As shown (further reference Figure 9A2-35 S902-360 shown in S902-360), determining at S540 that the detected specific box identifier code 374 matches the trusted box identifier code 774 in S540 may include, at the computing device 700 and / or the remote system 800, in response to the authentication request signal sent from the computing device 700 in S522, comparing the detected specific box identifier code 374 with one or more trusted box identifier codes 774 stored in a database (e.g., the local database 732 and / or the remote database 832), and determining at the computing device 700 and / or the remote system 800 that the detected specific box identifier code 374 matches at least one of the one or more trusted box identifier codes 774 included in the database.

[0260] With reference to at least S502 and S540 of S512-S514, the computing device 700 may be configured to receive one or more trusted cartridge identifier codes 774 from the remote system 800 via the network communication link 702 and to locally store a database 732 (e.g., in a memory of the computing device 700) including the one or more trusted cartridge identifier codes 774. The computing device 700 may be configured to compare the detected particular cartridge identifier code 374 with the one or more trusted cartridge identifier codes 774 stored in the database of the computing device 700. Figure 5 S520 and S530 shown, further as Figure 8A and 9A See further FIG8A to FIG8B S806 and S808 shown in FIG. 9A to FIG. 9B At least one of the computing device 700 or the remote system 800 may be used to deauthenticate the trusted cartridge identifier code based on the device enable command signal sent to the detergent dispensing device 200 (eg, at S518 and / or at S528).

[0261] It should be understood that computing device 700 may be used to perform any of the functions herein, including in conjunction with Figure 4-9B and Figures 10A-10F The functionality described and / or illustrated is based on implementing an instruction program (e.g., the processor 720 of the computing device 700 executing the instruction program stored on the memory 730 of the computing device 700) to implement an “application” associated with the drain cleaning system 1100, and any such functionality may be referred to as part of the “application” associated with the drain cleaning system 1100 described herein.

[0262] Figure 10A 、 Figure 10B 、 Figure 10C 、 Figure 10D 、 Figure 10E and Figure 10F2000a-2000f of the authentication and control graphical user interface (GUI) 2000, as displayed by the computing device 700 according to some exemplary embodiments. As described herein, the computing device 700 may be used to present (e.g., display) one or more graphical user interfaces (e.g., one or more graphical user interfaces 2000a-2000f of the authentication and control graphical user interface (GUI) 2000) based on an "application" as described herein, which is based on implementing an instruction program (e.g., the processor 720 of the computing device 700 executes the instruction program stored in the memory 730 of the computing device 700).

[0263] 10A to 10F The graphical user interface shown in FIG can be a graphical user interface, for example, a graphical user interface displayed by the computing device 700 via the display interface 760 of the computing device 700, which can be a touch screen display interface to enable a user to interact with the computing device 700 to control the operation of the control system 3000 according to any example embodiment to control the operation of the detergent dispensing system 1100 (e.g., selective unlocking and / or locking of the detergent dispensing device 200) via the network communication link 702, and further interact with the remote system 800 to enable such control and / or allow the purchase and / or delivery of additional new cartridges 300 to replace nearly exhausted or completely exhausted cartridges 300 of the detergent dispensing system 1100. FIG. Figure 10F Part or all of the graphical user interface shown in may be implemented by the computing device 700 , for example, based on the processor 720 of the computing device 700 executing an instruction program stored in the memory 730 of the computing device 700 .

[0264] See also 10A to 10F , the computing device 700 can generate an authentication and control graphical user interface (GUI), also referred to herein as GUI 2000, displayed by the display interface 760. As shown, the GUI 2000 can display different interfaces, sub-interfaces, screens, pages, graphical representations, graphical icons, etc., including various interfaces 2000a-2000f (also referred to herein as sub-interfaces, interface pages, interface screens, etc.), such as 10A to 10F As shown, based on operation of computing device 700 and / or user interaction with computing device 700 (eg, user interaction with authentication and control GUI 2000).

[0265] See also Figure 10A, the authentication control GUI 2000 displayed by the computing device 700 via the display interface 760 can generate a home screen interface 2000a, which can be the initial or default graphical interface of the authentication control GUI 2000 (also referred to herein as GUI 2000) displayed by the display interface 760 when the authentication control application is implemented by the computing device 700. As shown, the home screen interface 2000a of the GUI 2000 can include a graphical representation of the status 2010 of the linked detergent dispensing device 200 linked to the computing device 700 via the network communication link 702 and / or associated with the user account 734 supported by the computing device 700. As shown, the status 2010 representation can include a status indicator 2012 that indicates whether the detergent dispensing device 200 is currently linked to the computing device 700 via the network communication link 702, and can also indicate whether the detergent dispensing device 200 is currently in an enabled (e.g., unlocked) state in response to a device enable command signal as described herein. Further, the state 2010 representation may include a counter indication field 2014, which indicates the number or amount remaining to be dispensed before the detergent dispensing device 200 reaches a final depletion threshold counter value (e.g., a first threshold counter value), thereby indicating the amount of cleaning composition remaining in the box 300 currently connected to the detergent dispensing device 200 (the dispensed amount).

[0266] Still refer to Figure 10A , the main screen interface 2000a of the GUI 2000 can present interactive graphical icons 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022, 2024, and the user can interact with the interactive graphical icons 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022, 2024 (for example, based on touching the corresponding part of the display interface 760 where the graphical icons are displayed) to provide commands to the computing device 700 to display a new GUI screen associated with a specific function and / or command the computing device 700 to perform a specific operation.

[0267] As shown, the main screen interface 2000a of the GUI 2000 may display an authentication command icon 2016. In response to the user's interaction with the authentication command icon 2016, the computing device 700 may begin attempting to obtain the cartridge information 372 from the cartridge indicator 370 of the cartridge 300 to attempt to authenticate the cartridge 300. In some exemplary embodiments, the computing device 700 may interpret the user's interaction with the authentication command icon 2016 as Figure 5 The indication of receiving a new box at S504 of the illustrated method enables the computing device 700 to responsively begin attempting to Figure 5 The box information 372 is obtained at S506 in the method shown.

[0268] Still refer to Figure 10A, the main interface 2000a of the GUI 2000 may display an appliance link icon 2018. In response to the user's interaction with the appliance link icon 2018, the computing device 700 may begin attempting to establish a network communication link 702 with one or more detergent dispensing devices 200. In some exemplary embodiments, the computing device 700 may interpret the user's interaction with the authentication command icon 2016 as Figure 7 The command to establish a link is received at S704 of the illustrated method, so that the computing device 700 can responsively begin attempting to establish a communication link with the detergent dispensing device 200 at S706, and if successful, obtain the device identity information 280 of the linked detergent dispensing device 200 and associate the linked detergent dispensing device 200 with the user account 77 supported by the computing device 700. Figure 7 At S710 of the method shown.

[0269] Still refer to Figure 10A , the main screen interface 2000a of the GUI 2000 may display a user account creation / editing icon 2020. In response to the user's interaction with the user account creation / editing icon 2020, the computing device 700 may initiate an attempt to create and / or modify one or more user accounts 734 supported by the computing device 700. The GUI 2000 may responsively display the following: Figure 10B The user account interface 2000b is shown, which displays fields associated with specific user information 736 (e.g., mailing address, purchase information, authentication to automatically purchase / order a specific number of cartridges if an alert signal is received from a linked detergent dispensing device 200 and / or detergent dispensing device 200 associated with the user account 734, etc.), device identity information 280, the device identity information 280 identifying one or more detergent dispensing devices 200 associated with the user account 734, etc. The user can interact with any of the displayed fields to populate the user information 736 and / or device identity information 280 associated with the user account 734 being created / edited that is supported by the computing device 700. In some example embodiments, the computing device 700 may interpret the user's interaction with the user account creation / editing icon 220 as Figure 7 The receiving command at S702 of the illustrated method to create and / or modify a user account 734 causes the computing device 700 to responsively execute Figure 7 S702 of the method shown.

[0270] Still refer to Figure 10A, the main interface 2000a of the GUI 2000 may display a database update command icon 2022. In response to user interaction with the database update command icon 2022, the computing device 700 may communicate with the remote system 800 to obtain an updated list and / or database of trusted cartridge identifier codes 774 to update the locally stored database 732, e.g., Figure 5 S502 and Figure 8A 、 Figure 8B shown.

[0271] Still refer to Figure 10A , the main interface 2000a of the GUI 2000 may display a box order command icon 2024. In response to the user's interaction with the box order command icon 2024, the computing device 700 may communicate with the remote system 800 to send an order command signal, such as Figure 6 S608 and Figure 8A 、 Figure 8B 、 Figure 9A and Figure 9B As shown, although the computing device 700 may send an order command signal based on user interaction with the box order command icon 2024 and independently of any received alert signal, as shown Figure 6 、 Figures 8A-9B shown.

[0272] Now see Figure 10B In response to the user's interaction with the user account creation / editing icon 2020 of the main interface 2000a, in the main interface 2000a of the GUI 2000, as shown in FIG. Figure 10A As shown, computing device 700 may display user account interface 2000 b of GUI 2000 to facilitate, at least in part, editing / entering user account information 738 in user accounts 734 supported by computing device 700 .

[0273] like Figure 10BAs shown, the user account interface 2000b can display various user account information 738 associated with the displayed user account 734 supported by the computing device 700, including user information 736 associated with the user supported by the user account 734 and device identity information 280 associated with the detergent dispensing device 200, which is associated with the user account 734 and / or linked to the computing device 700. As shown, the user information 736 can include information indicating the name of the supported user, a physical mailing address associated with the supported user (and to which the ordered cartridges can be shipped), purchase information, such as credit card information associated with the supported user (and which can be used to implement a financial transaction to complete the purchase, order, and / or shipment of the cartridges), an indication of whether to automatically order new cartridges using the user information 736 of the user account 734 in response to receiving the described alert signal at the computing device 700 being authenticated, an indication of the number of cartridges to be ordered via each automatic order, etc. It should be understood that the purchase, order, and / or shipment of one or more cartridges can be referred to herein as simply "ordering" the cartridges. As shown, user account interface 2000b may display an “Edit” icon 2032 , which a user may interact with to allow editing of some or all of the user information 736 associated with user account 734 .

[0274] Still refer to Figure 10B The device identity information 280 may include information such as a device identity code that may identify (e.g., uniquely identify) the detergent dispensing device 200 associated with the user account 734, an indication of whether a network communication link 702 is established and / or activated with the device, and a remaining number of dispenses associated with the detergent dispensing device 200 (which may be the difference between a current counter value of a counter implemented by the detergent dispensing device 200 and a final depletion threshold counter value), thereby indicating the number of dispenses remaining from the detergent dispensing device 200 until its counter value increments to meet the final depletion threshold counter value. Furthermore, the user account interface 2000b may display an "update" icon 2038 that the user may interact with to cause a change to the detergent dispensing device 200 associated with the user account 734, including, for example, establishing a new network communication link 702 with the new detergent dispensing device 200, obtaining the device identity information 280 from the new detergent dispensing device 200, and associating the new detergent dispensing device 200 with the user account 734. User interaction with update icon 2038 may cause computing device 700 to execute a command corresponding to computing device 700 for responding to user interaction with update icon 2038. Figure 10A The same operation is performed by interacting with the device link icon 2018 in the home screen interface 2000a shown.

[0275] Further Figure 10BAs shown, the user account interface 2000b may include icons 2034 and 2036, and the user can interact with the icons 2034 and 2036 to respectively create a new user account 734 (which may be a user account other than the user account represented in the display 2030) and / or delete the user account 734 represented in the display 2030. Further, the user account interface 2000b may display a home screen return icon 2040, and the user can interact with the home screen return icon 2040 to restore the GUI 2000 to display the home screen interface 2000a shown in Figure 10A.

[0276] Now see Figure 10C , in response to the user Figure 10A By interacting with the authentication command icon 2016 in the main interface 2000a of the GUI 2000 shown, the computing device 700 may display an authentication interface 2000c of the GUI 2000, which authentication interface 2000c at least partially facilitates obtaining box information 372 from the box indicator 370 of the box 300 to further facilitate processing the box information 372 to detect a specific box identifier code 374 associated with the box 300. Figure 10C The authentication interface 2000c shown in is associated with a control detection device 770, which includes a camera device to generate an image 2058 of the box information 372, and the image 2058 of the box information 372 is in the form of a visible pattern 392 (e.g., defined by the visible pattern 392) visible from the outside of the box 300 (e.g., on the outer surface 302S of the box 300).

[0277] As shown, the authentication interface 2000c can present a display field 2050 of one or more images 2058 (e.g., a real-time video stream) generated by the camera detection device 770 of the computing device 700, such that the display field 2050 can display a real-time or near-real-time view (e.g., one or more images 2058) of a portion of the environment within the field of view 780 of the camera detection device 770. The computing device 700 can be configured to automatically (e.g., without user intervention, without manual intervention, etc.) recognize and process a visible pattern 392 (e.g., a QR code) present at least within a certain area 2052 in the display field 2050 (or anywhere in the display field 2050) to obtain the box information 372 represented by (e.g., defined by) the visible pattern 392.

[0278] In some exemplary embodiments, Figure 10CAs shown, the authentication interface 2000c may include a scan command icon 2054, with which a user can interact to manually command the computing device 700 to process the image 2058 generated by the camera detection device 770 and displayed in the display field 2050 to identify and obtain the box information 372 (if present) from the visible pattern 392, if located within the image 2058 displayed in the display field 2050. The user can manually manipulate (e.g., rotate, translate, etc.) the computing device 700 and / or camera detection device 770 in the environment, as well as the computing device 700 and / or camera detection device 770 associated with the box 300 in the environment, to move the field of view 780 to include at least the visible pattern 392 of the box indicator 370, thereby displaying the image 2058 of the field of view generated by the detection device 770 including the visible pattern 392 in the display field 2050 (e.g., within the area 2052, which can be identified within the generated image 2058 by an identification mark, box symbol, the mark, box symbol showing the boundary of the area 2052 in the displayed image 2058, etc.), and allowing the computing device 700 to process the image 2058 (e.g., automatically and without user intervention, and / or in response to user interaction with the scan command icon 2054) to identify the visible pattern 392, process the visible pattern 392 to obtain the box information 372 represented thereby, and further process the box information 372 to detect a specific box identifier code 374.

[0279] In some exemplary embodiments, the computing device 700 may automatically (e.g., without manual intervention) process the image 2058 of the visible pattern 392 to obtain the cartridge information 372 represented thereby in response to determining that the outer boundary of the visible pattern 392 corresponds (e.g., within a 10% margin) to the boundary of the region 2052. However, exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto, and in some exemplary embodiments, the computing device 700 may automatically (e.g., without manual intervention) process the image 2058 of the visible pattern 392 to obtain the cartridge information 372 represented thereby in response to determining that the entire visible pattern 392 (e.g., presenting the entire visible pattern 392) is present within the image 2058 shown ("displayed") in the display field 2050. Further, the authentication interface 2000c may display a home screen return icon 2056, with which the user may interact to cause the GUI 2000 to return to displaying the home screen interface 2000a shown in FIG. 10A, thereby terminating the attempt to authenticate the cartridge 300.

[0280] Now see Figure 10DIn response to the computing device 700 obtaining the cartridge information 372 from the cartridge indicator 370 of the cartridge 300, e.g., based on processing the image 2058 displayed in the display field 2050 shown in the authentication interface 2000c, and in response to the computing device 700 further processing the cartridge information 372 to detect the specific cartridge identifier code 374, e.g., based on user interaction with the authentication interface 2000c and / or manipulation of the computing device 700 and / or the detection device 770 while displaying the authentication interface 2000c, the computing device 700 may perform the operations described herein to authenticate the detected specific cartridge identifier code 374 (e.g., as described herein). Figure 5 In response to authenticating the detected specific cartridge identifier code 374 at S540, the computing device 700 authenticating the cartridge at S516 or S526, responsively sending an apparatus enable command signal at S518 or S528, and / or receiving an enable confirmation signal sent by the detergent dispensing apparatus 200 at S519 or S529, to enable at least the dispenser device 208 of the apparatus in response to the apparatus enable command signal sent at S518 or S528, the computing device 700 may cause the GUI 2000 to display an authentication success interface 2000d including an indication 2060 that the authentication attempt was successful, such that the new cartridge 300 is authenticated (and may be further associated with a user account supported by the computing device 700), and selectively enabling (e.g., activating, unlocking, etc.) the detergent dispensing apparatus 200 associated with the user account 734 supported by the computing device 700 in response to the authentication, thereby enabling dispensing operations of the dispenser device 208. The authentication success interface 2000d may include a dispensing counter field 2062 that displays the number of remaining dispensings associated with the detergent dispensing device 200 until the counter of the detergent dispensing device 200 is incremented to have a counter value that satisfies a final depletion threshold counter value (e.g., field 2062 displays the current counter value of the detergent dispensing device 200 and the first (e.g., final depletion) threshold counter value).

[0281] As described above, in an example embodiment where the computing device 700 includes a camera detection device 770 and the box indicator 370 is used to present box information in the form of a visible pattern 392, in response to attempting authentication by processing the image 2058 displayed in the display field 2050 of the authentication interface 2000c, the computing device 700 may display the authentication success interface 2000d. However, exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, in some exemplary embodiments, the box indicator 370 includes an NFC device for sending an NFC signal indicating the box information 372 in response to receiving an NFC field, and the computing device 700 includes the detection device 770, the detection device 770 includes an NFC communication interface for sending / transmitting an NFC field and / or receiving an NFC signal, the computing device 700 may display the authentication success interface 2000d in response to the user's interaction with the icon 2016 in the main screen interface 2000a, and the computing device 700 responsively performs any one of operations S540 to At least authenticating the box at S516 and / or S526, sending a device enable command signal at S518 and / or S528, and / or receiving an enable confirmation signal in response to the device enable command signal at S519 and / or S529, allows the computing device 700 to display the authentication success interface 2000d without first displaying the authentication interface 2000c, because the screen may not be used in an exemplary embodiment in which the camera detection device 770 is not used to obtain the box information 372 to detect the specific box identifier code 374 of the box 300 to be authenticated.

[0282] Furthermore, authentication success interface 2000d may display a home screen return icon 2064, and the user may interact with home screen return icon 2064 to restore GUI 2000 to display home screen interface 2000a, as shown in FIG10A . In some example embodiments, the GUI may automatically restore from authentication success interface 2000d to home screen interface 2000a in response to displaying authentication success interface 2000d for a specific fixed amount of time (e.g., 5 seconds).

[0283] Now see Figure 10EIn response to the computing device 700 receiving the warning signal from the detergent dispensing apparatus 200 at S602, in response to the detergent dispensing apparatus 200 determining that a warning threshold counter value has been reached (e.g., a second threshold counter value that is less than a first threshold counter value associated with eventual depletion of a cartridge 300 coupled to the detergent dispensing apparatus 200) (S428=Yes, S430=No), and / or in response to the computing device 700 processing the counter value information sent by the detergent dispensing apparatus 200 to determine that the warning threshold counter value has been reached and / or the amount remaining to be dispensed (received at S816) is at or below the warning threshold, the computing device 700 may cause the GUI 2000 to display a warning interface 2000e indicating that a warning threshold counter value has been reached at the detergent dispensing apparatus 200 associated with the user account 734 supported by the computing device 700. The computing device 700 may display the warning interface 2000e as an indication that the warning threshold counter value has been reached at the detergent dispensing apparatus 200 associated with the user account 734 supported by the computing device 700. Figure 6 As shown in S612 , a portion of a warning indication is provided to the supported user.

[0284] As shown, the warning interface 2000e may include a warning field 2070 indicating that a warning threshold counter value has been reached at the detergent dispensing device 200, such that when the detergent dispensing device 200 performs the next or upcoming counter value increment, the detergent dispensing device 200 will soon reach a final exhaustion threshold counter value. Field 2070 may include additional information, including information indicating that the detergent dispensing device 200 is currently in an enabled (e.g., unlocked) state, although the warning threshold counter value has been reached. In an example embodiment, the user account 734 associated with the computing device 700 and / or the detergent dispensing device 200 includes user account information 738 that authenticates automatic ordering of one or more new cartridges in response to receiving a warning signal at the computing device from the associated detergent dispensing device 200 at S602, such that the computing device 700 automatically orders the detergent dispensing device 200 by at least sending a warning signal at S604. Figure 6 、 Figure 8A and Figure 8B as well as Figure 9A and Figure 9B In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the alert interface 2000e may automatically respond to receipt and processing of the alert signal S602 by receiving the order command signals shown in S620 and S608, the alert interface 2000e may include an order information field 2072 indicating that one or more new boxes have been automatically ordered in response to receiving the alert signal from the detergent dispensing device 200, and may include additional information associated with the order, including an estimated date for shipping the ordered boxes to the physical mailing address associated with the user account 734 (and therefore associated with the detergent dispensing device 200, which is associated with the user account 734).

[0285] The warning interface 2000e may include a dispensing counter field 2074 that displays the amount of dispensing remaining in the detergent dispensing device 200 until the detergent dispensing device 200 is disabled in response to the counter of the detergent dispensing device 200 incrementing to a counter value that satisfies a final depletion threshold counter value (e.g., field 2074 displays the difference between the current counter value of the detergent dispensing device 200 and the first threshold counter value).

[0286] As shown in the figure, the warning interface 2000e of the GUI 2000 may display an authentication command icon 2076, which may be used with Figure 10A In response to the user's interaction with the authentication command icon 2076, the computing device 700 may initiate an attempt to obtain the cartridge information 372 from the cartridge indicator 370 of the new cartridge 300 to attempt to authenticate the cartridge 300, wherein the computing device 700 may send a new device activation command signal to the detergent dispensing device 200 associated with the user account 734 and / or linked to the computing device 700 via the network communication link 702, thereby enabling the reset of the counter value of the detergent dispensing device 200 (thereby resetting the "remaining dispensing" field displayed by the GUI 2000). In some exemplary embodiments, the computing device 700 may interpret the user's interaction with the authentication command icon 2076 as receiving a request for authentication. Figure 6 S614 and / or Figure 5 The indication of the new box at S504 of the method shown enables the computing device 700 to respond in Figure 5 At S506 of the illustrated method, an attempt to obtain the cartridge information 372 is initiated.

[0287] As shown, the warning interface 2000e of the GUI 2000 may display a manual cartridge order command icon 2078 to manually enable the ordering of one or more new cartridges (e.g., when the user account 734 associated with the detergent dispensing device 200 from which the warning signal was received has not authenticated automatic cartridge ordering in response to the warning signal). In response to the user's interaction with the manual cartridge order command icon 2078, the computing device 700 may communicate with the remote system 800 to send an order command signal, such as Figure 6 、 Figure 8A 、 Figure 8B 、 Figure 9A 、 Figure 9B As shown in S608.

[0288] Furthermore, the warning interface 2000e may display a home screen return icon 2079, and the user may interact with the home screen return icon 2079 to restore the GUI 2000 to display the home screen interface 2000a as shown in Figure 10A. In some example embodiments, in response to displaying the warning interface 2000e for a specific fixed amount of time (e.g., 5 seconds), the GUI may automatically restore from the warning interface 2000e to the home screen interface 2000a.

[0289] Now see Figure 10F In response to the computing device 700 receiving a disable signal from the detergent dispensing apparatus 200 at S61, in response to the detergent dispensing apparatus 200 determining that the final depletion threshold counter value has been reached (S430=Yes) and / or in response to the computing device 700 processing the counter value information sent by the detergent dispensing apparatus 200 to determine that the final depletion threshold counter value has been reached and / or the remaining dispensed quantity (received and updated at S532) is at or below the final depletion threshold, the computing device 700 may cause the GUI 2000 to display a disable interface 2000f indicating that the final depletion threshold counter value has been reached in the detergent dispensing apparatus 200 associated with the user account 734 supported by the computing device 700, such that the detergent dispensing apparatus 200 (e.g., at least its dispenser device 208) is disabled from further operation (e.g., until a new cartridge is authenticated such that a new device enable command signal is sent to the detergent dispensing apparatus 200). The computing device 700 may display the disable interface 2000f as part of providing a disable indication to the supported user. Figure 6 The S618 shown in .

[0290] As shown, the disable interface 2000f may include a disable indication field 2080 that indicates that the final exhaustion threshold counter value has been reached in the detergent dispensing device 200. The disable indication field 2080 may include additional information, including information indicating that the detergent dispensing device 200 is currently in a disabled (e.g., locked) state, thereby indicating that further operation of at least one dispenser device of the detergent dispensing device 200 is currently disabled. In an example embodiment, the user account 734 associated with the computing device 700 and / or the detergent dispensing device 200 includes user account information 738 that authorizes automatic ordering of one or more new cartridges in response to receiving the warning signal from the associated detergent dispensing device 200 at S602, such that the computing device 700 at least performs the following operations: Figure 6 、 Figure 8A and Figure 8B ,as well as Figure 9A and Figure 9BIn the example embodiment of the present invention, the interface 2000f may include an order information field 2082 indicating that one or more new boxes have been automatically ordered in response to receiving a previous warning signal from the detergent dispensing device 200. The order command signal is sent as shown in S620 in the preceding figure in an automatic response to receiving and processing the warning signal S602. The prohibition interface 2000f may include an order information field 2082 indicating that one or more new boxes have been automatically ordered in response to receiving a previous warning signal from the detergent dispensing device 200. The field 2082 may include additional information and may include additional information associated with the order, including an estimated date or a previous date for shipping the ordered boxes to the physical mailing address associated with the user account 734 (and therefore associated with the detergent dispensing device 200, which is associated with the user account 734).

[0291] The disabling interface 2000f may include a dispensing counter field 2084 (displaying the amount of dispensing remaining in the detergent dispensing device 200, displaying a remaining value of "0" to indicate that the detergent dispensing device 200 is disabled in response to the counter of the detergent dispensing device 200 incrementing to have a counter value that meets the first (final depletion) threshold counter value (e.g., field 2074 displays the difference between the current counter value of the detergent dispensing device 200 and the first threshold counter, the difference being "0" because the final depletion threshold counter value is reached). In some example embodiments, field 2084 may be omitted from the interface 2000f.

[0292] As shown in the figure, the prohibition interface 2000f of the GUI 2000 can display the authentication command icon 2086, which can be Figure 10A Icons shown in 2016 and / or Figure 10E In response to the user's interaction with the authentication command icon 2086, the computing device 700 may initiate an attempt to obtain the cartridge information 372 from the cartridge indicator 370 of the new cartridge 300 (e.g., the new cartridge that was previously automatically ordered and shipped as indicated by field 2082) to attempt to authenticate the cartridge 300, wherein, upon authentication, the computing device 700 may send a new device activation command signal to the detergent dispensing device 200 associated with the user account 734 and / or linked to the computing device 700 via the network communication link 702, thereby enabling the detergent dispensing device 200 to be reactivated (e.g., reactivated, unlocked, etc.) to enable the recovery operation of at least the dispenser device 208 of the detergent dispensing device 200 (which may also include resetting the counter value of the detergent dispensing device 200, thereby resetting the "remaining dispensing" field displayed by the GUI 2000 in its various screens). In some exemplary embodiments, the computing device 700 may interpret the user's interaction with the authentication command icon 2086 as receiving a request for reactivation of the detergent dispensing device 200. Figure 6 S614 and / or Figure 5 The indication of the new box at S504 of the method shown enables the computing device 700 to respond in Figure 5S506 of the illustrated method initiates an attempt to obtain the cartridge information 372 .

[0293] As shown, the disable interface 2000f of the GUI 2000 may display a manual cartridge order command icon 2088 to enable manual ordering of one or more new cartridges (e.g., when the user account 734 associated with the detergent dispensing device 200 from which the warning signal was received has not authenticated automatic cartridge ordering in response to the warning signal). In response to the user's interaction with the manual cartridge order command icon 2088, the computing device 700 may communicate with the remote system 800 to send an order command signal, such as Figure 6 and Figure 8A 、 Figure ...

Claims

1. A control system, characterized in that: include: A detergent dispensing system configured to dispense a cleaning composition, the detergent dispensing system comprising: a detergent dispensing apparatus comprising a dispenser device configured to operate to dispense the cleaning composition through an apparatus outlet, the detergent dispensing apparatus configured to selectively enable and disable operation of at least the dispenser device; a cartridge configured to hold the cleaning composition within a cartridge reservoir of the cartridge, the cartridge configured to be removably coupled to the detergent dispensing apparatus to provide the cleaning composition held in the cartridge reservoir to the dispenser device, the cartridge including a cartridge indicator configured to indicate a specific cartridge identifier code associated with the cartridge; and A computing device, comprising: a memory for storing instruction programs; A processor configured to execute the instruction program, thereby detecting the specific cartridge identifier code indicated by the cartridge indicator of the cartridge based on acquiring cartridge information from the cartridge indicator; In response to determining that the particular cartridge identifier code matches the authentic cartridge identifier code, a device enable command signal is sent to the detergent dispensing device to cause the detergent dispensing device to selectively enable operation of at least the dispenser apparatus.

2. The control system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The detergent dispensing device is further configured to: responsive to selectively enabling said operation of said dispenser device, setting a counter value of a counter to an initial counter value; After selectively enabling operation of the dispenser device, operating the dispenser device to dispense the cleaning composition received at the dispenser device from the cartridge reservoir, incrementing the counter value in response to each operation of the dispenser device to dispense the cleaning composition into the appliance outlet; as well as In response to determining that the counter value satisfies at least a first threshold counter value associated with depletion of the cleaning composition in the cartridge reservoir of the cartridge, operation of at least the dispenser device is selectively disabled.

3. The control system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The cleaning agent dispensing apparatus is further configured to send a warning signal to the computing device in response to determining that the counter value satisfies at least a second threshold counter value, the second threshold counter value being between the initial counter value and the first threshold counter value, and The processor of the computing device is configured to execute the program of instructions to, in response to the alert signal, send an order command signal to a remote system via a network communication link to cause at least one new cartridge to be shipped to a physical mailing address associated with the detergent dispensing apparatus.

4. The control system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cartridge indicator comprises a visible pattern that is externally visible on an exterior surface of the cartridge; The computing device includes a camera device; and The processor is configured to execute the instruction program so that acquiring the box information from the box indicator based on controlling the camera device to generate an image of the visible pattern, and The specific cartridge identifier code is detected based on processing the image of the visible pattern.

5. The control system according to claim 4, characterized in that: The visible pattern is a Quick Response (QR) code.

6. The control system according to claim 1, characterized in that: the cartridge indicator comprising a near field communication (NFC) device configured to transmit an NFC signal indicative of the specific cartridge identifier code in response to an NFC field; The computing device includes one or more NFC communication interfaces, the one or more NFC communication interfaces being collectively configured to generate the NFC field and receive the NFC signal sent by the NFC device in response to the NFC field; The processor is configured to execute the program of instructions, thereby obtaining the cartridge information from the cartridge indicator based on causing the one or more NFC communication interfaces of the computing devices to collectively generate the NFC field and receive the NFC signal transmitted by the NFC device in response to the NFC field; as well as Based on processing of the NFC signal, the specific box identifier code is detected.

7. The control system according to claim 1, characterized in that: Determining that the specific cartridge identifier code matches the trusted cartridge identifier code includes: comparing the specific cartridge identifier code to one or more trusted cartridge identifier codes stored in a database, the one or more trusted cartridge identifier codes including the trusted cartridge identifier code; It is determined that the particular cartridge identifier code matches at least the trusted cartridge identifier code of the one or more trusted cartridge identifier codes.

8. The control system according to claim 7, characterized in that: The processor is configured to execute the program of instructions, thereby receiving the one or more trusted cartridge identifier codes from a remote system over a network communication link and storing the database including the one or more trusted cartridge identifier codes in the memory of the computing device; as well as The specific cartridge identifier code is compared to the one or more trusted cartridge identifier codes stored in the database of the computing device.

9. The control system according to claim 7, characterized in that: At least one of the computing device or the remote system is configured to deauthenticate the trusted cartridge identifier code based on the device enable command signal being sent to the detergent dispensing device.

10. The control system according to claim 7, characterized in that: Also includes: a remote system storing said database, wherein the processor is configured to execute the program of instructions to cause the computing device to send an authentication request signal indicating the specific cartridge identifier code to the remote system via a network communication link; The remote system is configured to: in response to receiving and processing the authentication request signal, comparing the specific cartridge identifier code with the one or more trusted cartridge identifier codes stored in the database to determine that the specific cartridge identifier code matches at least the trusted cartridge identifier code of the one or more trusted cartridge identifier codes; in response to determining that the particular cartridge identifier code matches at least the trusted cartridge identifier code, sending an authentication confirmation signal to the computing device; Wherein, the processor is further configured to execute the program of instructions to determine that the specific cartridge identifier code matches the trusted cartridge identifier code in response to processing the authentication confirmation signal received from the remote system.

11. The control system according to claim 10, characterized in that: The processor is configured to execute the program of instructions to determine that the specific cartridge identifier code matches the trusted cartridge identifier code in response to receiving the authentication confirmation signal within a specific time period from sending the authentication request signal from the computing device to the remote system.

12. A computing device, characterized in that The computing device is configured to perform authentication control of a detergent dispensing system, the detergent dispensing system being configured to dispense a cleaning composition, the detergent dispensing system comprising a cartridge and a detergent dispensing apparatus, the cartridge being configured to hold the cleaning composition in a cartridge reservoir of the cartridge, the detergent dispensing apparatus comprising a dispenser device, the cartridge being configured to be detachably coupled to the detergent dispensing apparatus to provide the cleaning composition held in the cartridge reservoir to the dispenser device, the detergent dispensing apparatus being configured to operate the dispenser device to dispense the cleaning composition through an apparatus outlet, the detergent dispensing apparatus being configured to selectively enable and disable operation of at least the dispenser device, the cartridge comprising a cartridge indicator configured to indicate a specific cartridge identification code associated with the cartridge, the computing device comprising: a memory for storing instruction programs; A processor configured to execute the instruction program, thereby detecting the specific cartridge identifier code indicated by the cartridge indicator of the cartridge based on acquiring cartridge information from the cartridge indicator; In response to determining that the particular cartridge identifier code matches the authentic cartridge identifier code, a device enable command signal is sent to the detergent dispensing device to cause the detergent dispensing device to selectively enable operation of at least the dispenser apparatus.

13. The computing device according to claim 12, wherein: The processor is configured to execute the program of instructions to send an order command signal to a remote system via a network communication link to be shipped to a physical mailing address associated with the detergent dispensing device in response to receiving and processing an alert signal from the detergent dispensing device, the alert signal indicating that the cartridge reservoir of the cartridge contains an amount of the detergent composition that is equal to or less than a threshold amount.

14. The computing device according to claim 12, wherein: Also includes: Camera equipment; The processor is configured to execute the program of instructions, thereby acquiring the box information from the box indicator based on controlling the camera device to generate an image of a visible pattern, the visible pattern being externally visible on an outer surface of the box, the visible pattern being associated with the box indicator; as well as The specific cartridge identifier code is detected based on processing the image of the visible pattern.

15. The computing device according to claim 14, wherein: The visible pattern is a Quick Response (QR) code.

16. The computing device according to claim 12, wherein: Also includes: one or more near field communication (NFC) communication interfaces, the one or more NFC communication interfaces collectively configured to generate an NFC field; the cartridge indicator being an NFC device configured to transmit an NFC signal indicative of the specific cartridge identifier code in response to the NFC field, wherein the one or more NFC communication interfaces are further collectively configured to receive the NFC signal sent by the NFC device in response to the NFC field; and The processor is configured to execute the program of instructions, thereby Retrieving the cartridge information from the cartridge indicator based on causing one or more NFC communication interfaces of the computing devices to collectively generate the NFC field and receive the NFC signal transmitted by the NFC device in response to the NFC field; and Based on processing of the NFC signal, the specific box identifier code is detected.

17. The computing device according to claim 12, wherein: Determining that the specific cartridge identifier code matches the trusted cartridge identifier code includes: comparing the specific cartridge identifier code to one or more trusted cartridge identifier codes stored in a database, the one or more trusted cartridge identifier codes including the trusted cartridge identifier code; and It is determined that the particular cartridge identifier code matches at least the trusted cartridge identifier code of the one or more trusted cartridge identifier codes.

18. The computing device according to claim 17, wherein: The processor is configured to execute the program of instructions to cause the trusted cartridge identifier code to be deauthenticated based on the device enable command signal being sent to the detergent dispensing device.

19. The computing device according to claim 17, wherein: The processor is configured to execute the program of instructions, thereby receiving the one or more trusted cartridge identifier codes from a remote system over a network communication link and storing a database including the one or more trusted cartridge identifier codes in the memory of the computing device; as well as The specific cartridge identifier code is compared to the one or more trusted cartridge identifier codes stored in the database of the computing device.

20. The computing device of claim 17, wherein: The processor is configured to execute the program of instructions, thereby causing the computing device to transmit an authentication request signal indicating the specific cartridge identifier code to a remote system via a network communication link, the remote system storing the database; as well as and determining in response to processing an authentication confirmation signal received from the remote system to determine that the specific cartridge identifier code matches at least the trusted cartridge identifier code of the one or more trusted cartridge identifier codes in the database from the remote system, thereby determining that the specific cartridge identifier code matches the trusted cartridge identifier code.

21. The computing device of claim 20, wherein: The processor is configured to execute the program of instructions to determine that the specific cartridge identifier code matches the trusted cartridge identifier code in response to receiving the authentication confirmation signal within a specific time period from sending the authentication request signal from the computing device to the remote system.

22. A method performed by a computing device, characterized in that The method comprises: detecting, based on a detection device controlling the computing device acquiring cartridge information from the cartridge indicator, a specific cartridge identifier code indicated by a cartridge indicator of a cartridge of a detergent dispensing system, the detergent dispensing system comprising the cartridge and a detergent dispensing apparatus, the cartridge being configured to hold a cleaning composition in a cartridge reservoir of the cartridge, the detergent dispensing apparatus comprising a dispenser device, the cartridge being configured to be detachably coupled to the detergent dispensing apparatus to provide the cleaning composition held in the cartridge reservoir to the dispenser device, the detergent dispensing apparatus being configured to operate the dispenser device to dispense the cleaning composition through an apparatus outlet, the detergent dispensing apparatus being configured to at least selectively enable and disable operation of the dispenser device, the specific cartridge identifier code being associated with the cartridge; and In response to determining that the particular cartridge identifier code matches the authentic cartridge identifier code, a device enable command signal is sent to the detergent dispensing device to cause the detergent dispensing device to at least selectively enable operation of the dispenser apparatus.

23. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that Also includes: and sending an order command signal to a remote system via a network communication link for shipment to a physical mailing address associated with the detergent dispensing device in response to receiving and processing an alert signal from the detergent dispensing device, the alert signal indicating that the cartridge reservoir of the cartridge contains an amount of the cleaning composition that is equal to or less than a threshold amount.

24. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that The specific cartridge identifier code is detected based on: obtaining the cartridge information from the cartridge indicator based on controlling a camera device of the computing device to generate an image of a visible pattern externally visible on an exterior surface of the cartridge, the visible pattern being associated with the cartridge indicator; as well as The image of the visible pattern is processed to detect the specific cartridge identifier code.

25. The method according to claim 24, characterized in that The visible pattern is a Quick Response (QR) code.

26. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that The specific cartridge identifier code is detected based on: controlling one or more near field communication (NFC) communication interfaces of the computing device to generate an NFC field; obtaining the cartridge information from the cartridge indicator based on receiving, at the one or more NFC communication interfaces of the computing device, an NFC signal generated by the cartridge indicator in response to the NFC field, wherein the cartridge indicator is an NFC device configured to transmit the NFC signal in response to the NFC field; The NFC signal is processed at the computing device to detect the specific cartridge identifier code.

27. The method according to claim 22, wherein Determining that the specific cartridge identifier code matches the trusted cartridge identifier code includes: comparing the specific cartridge identifier code to one or more trusted cartridge identifier codes stored in a database, the one or more trusted cartridge identifier codes including the trusted cartridge identifier code; and It is determined that the particular cartridge identifier code matches at least the trusted cartridge identifier code of the one or more trusted cartridge identifier codes.

28. The method according to claim 27, characterized in that Also includes: The trusted cartridge identifier code is deauthenticated based on the device enable command signal being sent to the detergent dispensing device.

29. The method according to claim 22, wherein Determining that the specific cartridge identifier code matches the trusted cartridge identifier code includes: sending an authentication request signal indicating the particular cartridge identifier code to a remote system via a network communication link, the remote system storing a database including one or more trusted cartridge identifier codes, the one or more trusted cartridge identifier codes including the trusted cartridge identifier code; and and determining that the particular cartridge identifier code matches the trusted cartridge identifier code in response to processing an authentication confirmation signal received from the remote system to determine that the particular cartridge identifier code matches at least the trusted cartridge identifier code of the one or more trusted cartridge identifier codes in the database of the remote system.

30. The method according to claim 29, wherein Also includes: In response to receiving the authentication confirmation signal within a specific period of time from when the authentication request signal was sent to the remote system, it is determined that the specific cartridge identifier code matches the trusted cartridge identifier code.

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