Waste disposer system or method including secure wireless pairing system or method
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-06-02
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-08
Smart Images
Figure CN2023098058_05122024_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
WASTE DISPOSER SYSTEM OR METHOD INCLUDING SECURE WIRELESS PAIRING SYSTEM OR METHODFIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to waste disposer systems or other appliance systems and associated methods of operation and, more particularly, to such waste disposer systems or other appliance systems that include or employ systems or methods for wireless communications.BACKGROUND
[0002] Food waste disposers are used to comminute food scraps into particles small enough to pass through household drain plumbing. A conventional food waste disposer is often mounted to a sink, such as a kitchen sink, and includes a food conveying section, a motor section, and a grinding section disposed between the food conveying section and the motor section. The food waste disposer includes a housing that contains the food conveying section, the motor section, and the grinding section. The food conveying section includes an inlet for receiving food waste and water. During operation of the food waste disposer, the food conveying section conveys the food waste to the grinding section, and a motor of the motor section imparts rotational movement to a shaft to operate the grinding section so as to grind the food waste. After being ground by the grinding section, the food waste is discharged out of the food waste disposer by a discharge outlet of the food waste disposer.
[0003] Actuation of the motor of the food waste disposer, so as to stop or start (or vary) the rotational movement that governs grinding within the grinding section, can be controlled in various manners depending upon the embodiment. In some conventional embodiments, a switching mechanism is coupled to the motor and the switching status of the switching mechanism determines (at least indirectly or partly) the operational status of the motor. In some such embodiments, the food waste disposer includes a wireless receiver that is coupled to the switching mechanism and also is capable of wireless communication with a wireless transmitter that is intended to be functionally associated with, but is physically separate from, the food waste disposer (e.g., the wireless transmitter and food waste disposer can together be considered a food waste disposer system) . In some such embodiments, the status of the switching mechanism, and thus the operational status of the motor and food waste disposer, are governed at least indirectly by wireless signals communicated from the wireless transmitter to the wireless receiver in response to operator commands received at the wireless transmitter.
[0004] In recent times, it has become common for there to be numerous additional appliances or devices that implement or engage in wireless communications within, or proximate to, environments in which food waste disposers are implemented, such as home kitchens. Given the presence of such additional appliances or devices that are engaging in wireless communications, there can arise risks that a food waste disposer configured for wireless communications with an associated wireless transmitter as described above will instead become paired with, and enter into and engage in wireless communications with, another appliance or device with which the food waste disposer should not be communicating. If such inappropriate wireless communications occur, the food waste disposer may operate in a manner that is not desired, or not operate in a desired manner. For example, the food waste disposer may inadvertently interpret received wireless signals as commands concerning the switching status of the food waste disposer and, consequently, the motor of food waste disposer may be switched on or off in a manner that is inconsistent with operator commands provided by an associated transmitter.
[0005] For at least one or more of these reasons, or one or more other reasons, it would therefore be advantageous if improved methods or systems for wireless communications could be developed, for use in conducting wireless communications between appliances such as waste disposers and wireless transmitters or actuators (or other devices or systems physically separate from, but configured to engage in wireless communication with, such appliances) , so as to address any one or more of the concerns discussed above or to address one or more other concerns or provide one or more benefits.
[0006] BRIEF SUMMARY
[0007] In at least some example embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a food waste disposer system configured to employ wireless communications involving pairing. The food waste disposer system includes a food waste disposer having an enclosure within which is provided a food conveying section, a motor section including a motor, a grinding section between the food conveying section and motor section, a wireless receiver, and a switching mechanism at least indirectly coupling the wireless receiver and the motor of the motor section. Additionally, the food waste disposer system includes a wireless transmitter configured for transmitting wireless signals for receipt by the wireless receiver, the wireless transmitter including an operator-actuatable feature. The wireless receiver is configured to determine whether at least one of the wireless signals has been received within a first period of time, and additionally the wireless receiver is configured to determine whether a Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) value of or associated with the at least one of the wireless signals exceeded a threshold. Further, the wireless receiver is configured to enter into a pairing relationship with the wireless transmitter only if the wireless receiver both determined that the at least one of the wireless signals has been received within the first period of time and also that the RSSI value of or associated with the at least one of the wireless signals has exceeded the threshold.
[0008] Additionally, in at least some example embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a wireless pairing method for a waste disposer. The method includes powering on the waste disposer at a first time. Also, the method includes determining, at a wireless receiver within the waste disposer, whether a first wireless signal has been received within a first time period after the first time and, if it is determined that the first wireless signal has been received within the first time period, then further determining, at the wireless receiver, whether a Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) value of or associated with the first wireless signal has exceeded a threshold. Further, the method includes, if it is determined that the Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) value of or associated with the first wireless signal has exceeded the first threshold, then saving a first address associated with a wireless transmitter that generated the first wireless signal, and establishing a pairing connection between the wireless transmitter and the wireless receiver, where one or more wireless communications subsequently occur between the wireless transmitter and the wireless receiver so as to permit the wireless transmitter to communicate a control instruction to the wireless receiver relating to an operation of the waste disposer.
[0009] Further, in at least some example embodiments, the present disclosure relates to an appliance configured to employ wireless communications involving pairing. The appliance includes a controllable component, a wireless receiver, and a switching mechanism at least indirectly coupling the wireless receiver and the controllable component. The wireless receiver is configured to determine whether a first wireless signal has been received from a wireless transmitter within a first period of time, and also the wireless receiver is configured to determine whether a Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) value of or associated with the first wireless signal exceeded a threshold. Further, the wireless receiver is configured to enter into a pairing relationship with the wireless transmitter only if the wireless receiver both determined that the first wireless signal has been received within the first period of time and also that the RSSI value of or associated with the first wireless signal has exceeded the threshold.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] Embodiments of methods and systems for wireless communications involving appliances such as waste disposers, as well as waste disposer systems or other appliance systems employing such methods and systems for wireless communications, are disclosed with reference to the accompanying drawings and are for illustrative purposes only. The methods and systems encompassed herein are not limited in their applications to the details of construction, arrangements of components, or other aspects or features illustrated in the drawings, but rather such methods and systems encompassed herein include other embodiments or are capable of being practiced or carried out in other various ways. Like reference numerals are used to indicate like components. In the drawings:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a substantially front perspective, partially-schematic view of a food waste disposer system including a food waste disposer and an associated wireless transmitter that are wirelessly coupled, where the food waste disposer system is configured to operate in accordance with a secure wireless pairing method as described herein;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a first flow chart illustrating example steps of operation of the wireless transmitter of the food waste disposer system of FIG. 1; and
[0013] FIG. 3 is a second flow chart illustrating example steps of operation of the food waste disposer (and particularly a wireless receiver of the food waste disposer) of FIG. 1.DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] Referring to FIG. 1, a substantially front perspective view of a food waste disposer system 10 is shown, in accordance with a first example embodiment encompassed herein. As illustrated, the food waste disposer system 10 includes a food waste disposer 100 having an enclosure 102, a cylindrical stator band 104, and a lower end frame (LEF) along the bottom (not shown) of the food waste disposer. In general, the food waste disposer 100 can be understood as including a food conveying section 103, a motor section 105, and a grinding section 107. The food conveying section 103 is generally positioned at a location corresponding to the location of the enclosure 102, at or near the top of the food waste disposer 100. The motor section 105 is generally positioned at a location corresponding to and within the stator band 104, at or near the bottom of the food waste disposer 100. The grinding section 107 is generally disposed between the food conveying section 103 and the motor section 105.
[0015] It should be appreciated that the food conveying section 103 includes an inlet 108 for receiving food waste and fluid (e.g., water) , and conveys the food waste to the grinding section 107. The motor section 105 includes a motor 110, which is shown schematically by dashed lines (e.g., in phantom) in FIG. 1, and which when operating can impart rotational movement to a motor shaft (not shown) to operate the grinding section 107. In the present example embodiment, the motor 110 can be an electric motor that is an inductive motor, although the present disclosure is intended to encompass embodiments of food waste disposers employing other types of motors such as permanent magnet motors. After the food waste is ground by the grinding section 107 due to the rotational movement imparted by the motor 110, the ground food waste and associated fluid are discharged from the food waste disposer 100 by a discharge outlet 112.
[0016] In the present example embodiment, the food waste disposer 100 includes a wireless receiver 114 and a switching mechanism 116, which are both shown schematically by dashed lines (e.g., in phantom) in FIG. 1. The wireless receiver 114 and switching mechanism 116 are electrically coupled together and in communication with one another as illustrated schematically by a link 118 (again shown by a dashed line / in phantom) , and the switching mechanism is coupled to and in communication with the motor 110 as illustrated schematically by a link 120 (also shown by a dashed line / in phantom) .
[0017] In the present embodiment, electric power for powering the motor 110, as well as the wireless receiver 114 and the switching mechanism 116, can be received via a power link 122, which can take the form of a hardwired link or a power cord that can be plugged into a power outlet (e.g., a wall outlet) , and which is shown in cutaway. It should be appreciated that the power link 122 in the present embodiment is coupled directly or indirectly to the motor 110, wireless receiver 114, and switching mechanism 116, even though FIG. 1 does not illustrate such coupling. Depending upon the embodiment, the power link 122 (or a portion thereof) can be considered to constitute a part of the food waste disposer 100, or instead can be considered to be a separate component that can be coupled to the food waste disposer (e.g., to the LEF as mentioned above) . In alternate embodiments, the food waste disposer can additionally or instead include a battery that serves to store electrical energy that can in turn be used to power the motor 110, wireless receiver 114, and switching mechanism 116.
[0018] Additionally in the present embodiment, the food waste disposer system 10 includes a wireless transmitter 124, which also can be referred to as a wireless actuator. The wireless transmitter 124 and wireless receiver 114 are configured to engage in wireless communications with one another as represented by a wireless link or connection 126, which is intended to be representative of any one or more wireless signals that may be communicated between the wireless transmitter and wireless receiver. FIG. 1 further illustrates schematically several components of the wireless transmitter 124. More particularly, in the present embodiment, the wireless transmitter 124 includes an actuator button 128, which can be an operator-actuatable, spring-biased pushbutton. Also, the wireless transmitter 124 includes a micro-generator 130 (which can be located at the end of the wireless transmitter) , and a wireless transmission antenna 132, which are coupled with one another as represented by a link 134, all of which are shown schematically by dashed lines (e.g., phantom) . Although not present in the wireless transmitter 124 of FIG. 1, in alternate embodiments, the wireless transmitter of the food waste disposer system 10 can also include other components including, for example, a microprocessor or other processing or control device such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) , and / or one or more memory devices, and / or a battery to provide power to the wireless transmitter.
[0019] Nevertheless, in the present example embodiment, the wireless transmitter 124 is a battery-free device. The actuator button 128 is physically coupled to the micro-generator 130. When the actuator button 128 of the wireless transmitter 124 is pressed by an operator / user, the micro-generator 130 generates electricity to power the wireless transmitter and, when the wireless transmitter is powered on, the wireless transmitter operates to transmit wireless data packets (e.g., as represented by the wireless connection 126) at regular intervals by way of the wireless transmission antenna 132, for example, every 50 milliseconds.
[0020] Referring still to FIG. 1, in the present embodiment the wireless receiver 114 is configured to be able to receive or detect wireless signals such as those represented by the wireless connection 126. More particularly, the wireless receiver 114 is configured to be able to receive or detect wireless signals of the type transmitted by the wireless transmitter 124, such as the aforementioned wireless data packets. Further, the wireless receiver 114 is also configured to be able to generate control signals and to communicate such control signals for receipt by the switching mechanism 116, so as to change the switching status (e.g., the on / off status) of the switching mechanism and thereby switch the operational status (e.g., the on / off status or speed) of the motor 110.
[0021] So that the wireless receiver 114 can operate in this manner, the wireless receiver in the present embodiment includes a wireless reception antenna 136 and a processing device 138, which are coupled to one another (at least indirectly) by a link 140, all of which are again shown schematically by dashed lines (e.g., in phantom) . The processing device 138 can take any of a variety of forms including, for example, a microprocessor or ASIC, and not only is coupled to the wireless reception antenna 136 but also is coupled, by way of the link 118, to the switching mechanism 116. The processing device 138 operates to interpret the signals received by the wireless reception antenna 136 as communicated via the link 140 and, based upon the interpreted signals, determines what control signals should be generated and communicated for receipt by the switching mechanism via the link 118. Although not shown in FIG. 1, the wireless receiver 114 can also be understood to include one or more memory devices (including for example random access memory (RAM) or read only memory (ROM) device (s) ) in which information can be stored or saved, such as address information as described below. In some alternate embodiments, such memory device (s) can be included in, as a part of, a processing device such as the processing device 138.
[0022] It should be appreciated that the wireless transmitter 124 and wireless receiver 114 are intended to be representative of any of a variety of wireless communication components, devices, or systems. Depending upon the embodiment, the wireless transmitter 124 and wireless receiver 114 can engage in one-way or two-way communications, and each of the wireless transmitter and wireless receiver can in some embodiments take the form of a transceiver. Also, depending upon the embodiment, the wireless transmitter 124 and wireless receiver 114 can engage in any of a variety of types of wireless communications, in any of a variety of formats, such as Bluetooth communications as well as cellular technologies (e.g., 3G, 4G, LTE, or 5G) , Wi-Fi communications, radio wave, infrared, microwave, or other wireless communications technologies.
[0023] In general, the pairing of the wireless transmitter 124 and wireless receiver 114 of the food waste disposer 100 is completed within a time window to reduce the chances of inappropriate pairing (or a mismatch of pairing) . However, if there are multiple wireless devices with the same frequency coexisting within the time window, as can occur for example if other appliances or devices other than the wireless transmitter 124 are present in the vicinity of the food waste disposer 100, then it is possible that an inappropriate pairing (or a mismatch of pairing) of the wireless receiver 114 of the food waste disposer with another device other than the wireless transmitter may still occur. Such inappropriate pairing may occur even though pairing is to be completed within a time window, and / or regardless of the kind (s) of wireless data packets or signals that are communicated from the wireless transmitter 124 to the wireless receiver 114.
[0024] Therefore, in accordance with at least some embodiments herein, the wireless receiver 114 is additionally configured to monitor a Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) level or value and to allow pairing only when the RSSI level or value is greater than a certain threshold, which greatly reduces the chances of inappropriate pairing (or the error of mismatching) . That is, the wireless receiver 114 will operate so that the wireless receiver only becomes paired with another wireless device to the extent that the RSSI associated with the wireless signal received from that other device is greater than a specified threshold. Such a specified threshold can be, for example, -50dBm, or alternatively -60dBm or any of a variety of other values or levels that are higher or lower than -50dBm.
[0025] When pairing is constrained in this manner, with the wireless receiver 114 only achieving pairing in relation to another wireless device when a wireless signal (or signals) from that device both are received within a given time window and also have sufficient RSSI, in practice it is almost always the case (or typically or usually the case (and possibly always the case) ) that the wireless receiver will only allow (or only achieve) pairing with the wireless transmitter 124. That is, even if one or more additional wireless devices are in proximity to the wireless receiver 114 in addition to the wireless transmitter 124, and even if the wireless receiver happens to receive appropriate wireless signals (e.g., wireless data packets) from such additional wireless devices, it is almost always the case (or typically or usually the case (and possibly always the case) ) that it will only be the wireless signal received from the wireless transmitter 124 that both occurs within the time window and also satisfies the RSSI condition.
[0026] Thus, when pairing is constrained in this manner, with the wireless receiver 114 only achieving pairing in relation to another wireless device when a wireless signal (or signals) from that other device both are received within a given time window and also have sufficient RSSI, wireless communications with the wireless receiver 114 (and the food waste disposer 100) is more secure than would otherwise be the case in at least some conventional embodiments. Indeed, when pairing is constrained in this manner, wireless communications with the wireless receiver 114 (and the food waste disposer 100) is more secure insofar as pairing of the wireless receiver with another wireless device is almost always (or typically or usually (and possibly always) ) limited to pairing of the wireless receiver with the wireless transmitter 124. The security of wireless communications is enhanced insofar as, when pairing is constrained in this manner, the wireless receiver 114 almost never becomes paired with (or typically or usually does not become paired with (and possibly never becomes paired with) ) another wireless device from which wireless signals are received, other than the wireless transmitter 124.
[0027] There are multiple reasons why operation as described above, in which the wireless receiver 114 takes into account whether received wireless signals both are within the time window and also satisfy the RSSI condition, will almost always (or typically or usually (or possibly always) ) result in pairing between the wireless receiver 114 and the wireless transmitter 124 when that wireless transmitter is transmitting wireless signals, rather than pairing between the wireless receiver and other wireless devices that are transmitting wireless signals. First, assuming that the time window within which the wireless receiver 114 only accepts (or achieves) pairing is limited to a short time period such as (for example) the first three (3) seconds after the wireless receiver (or food waste disposer 100) is powered on, the shortness of the time window reduces the possibility that any other wireless devices will be paired with the wireless receiver.
[0028] Second, it is unlikely that many other wireless devices other than the wireless transmitter 124 that are in proximity to, but not very close to (e.g., more than 0.5 meters away from) , the food waste disposer 100 and / or the wireless receiver 114 thereof will transmit wireless signals that are strong enough to satisfy the RSSI condition when sensed by the wireless receiver. This is particularly true if one assumes that the RSSI condition to be met for achieving pairing is a RSSI level or value that is fairly high (e.g., -50dBM or -60dBM as mentioned above) . For example, the RSSI value of wireless signals transmitted by wireless transmitters associated with household equipment (not the wireless transmitter 124) positioned at 10 meters or more away from the wireless receiver 114 will typically be less than -50dBm, unless the transmitting power of such wireless transmitters is set to be atypically high.
[0029] Notwithstanding the above discussion, in at least some additional embodiments encompassed herein, the wireless receiver 114 is also configured to operate in a further manner that enhances the likelihood that the wireless receiver will be appropriately paired with the wireless transmitter 124 even if the wireless receiver detects multiple wireless signals from multiple wireless devices (e.g., the wireless transmitter 124 and one or more additional wireless devices) that each occur within the appropriate time window and satisfy (are greater than) the RSSI threshold. In such additional embodiments, the wireless receiver 114 is further configured to operate to achieve pairing with that one of the multiple wireless devices from which a wireless signal (e.g., wireless data packet) is first received (that is within the appropriate time window and satisfies the RSSI requirement) . That is, even if the wireless receiver 114 receives multiple wireless signals transmitted from the multiple different ones of the multiple wireless devices (all of which are within the appropriate window and satisfy the RSSI requirement) , the wireless receiver will select for pairing that one of the multiple wireless devices from which the earliest wireless signal was received by the wireless receiver.
[0030] It should be appreciated that if, even despite the above-described manners of operation, the wireless receiver 114 is paired with an unexpected or inappropriate wireless transmitter or other wireless device rather than the wireless transmitter 124, an operator / user can still take action to achieve desired pairing of the wireless receiver 114 with the wireless transmitter 124. For example, if an unexpected or inappropriate pairing occurs, the operator / user can cause the wireless transceiver 114 or the food waste disposer 100 overall to power down, and can subsequently cause that wireless receiver or the food waste disposer overall to be power back on, after which time the pairing process can be performed again.
[0031] Turning to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, respectively, first and second flow charts 200 and 300 are provided to further illustrate example first and second methods of operation for achieving secure wireless pairing, respectively, as can be performed by the food waste disposer system 10 of FIG. 1. In the present example, the first method of operation illustrated by the first flow chart 200 particularly concerns example steps of operation of the wireless transmitter 124 of the food waste disposer system 10. Also in the present example, the second method of operation illustrated by the second flow chart 300 particularly concerns example steps of operation of the wireless receiver 114 of the food waste disposer 100 of the food waste disposer system 10. Although the flow charts 200 and 300 are shown separately in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, it should be appreciated that the methods represented by the flow charts can be performed simultaneously or contemporaneously and can be considered to form, collectively, an overall method of operation of the food waste disposer system 10.
[0032] Referring particularly to FIG. 2, the first method of operation illustrated by the first flow chart 200, which concerns example steps of operation of the wireless transmitter 124, begins at a step 202, at which the wireless transmitter 124 of the food waste disposer system 10 is powered on. The step 202 can be representative of operation in which an operator / user depresses the actuator button 128 that in turn causes the micro-generator 130 to output energy. In at least some alternate embodiments, the step 202 also can involve powering on the wireless transmitter 124 in another manner, for example, in response to an operator / user switching on an on / off switch of the wireless transmitter. Subsequent to the step 202, at a step 204, the wireless transmitter 124 sends wireless data packets repeatedly and periodically, in this example, every 50 milliseconds. In some alternate embodiments, the wireless data packets can be sent on a different periodic basis, and / or other types of wireless signals can be transmitted by the wireless transmitter 124.
[0033] The steps of the first method 200 are merely examples and, in other embodiments, the first method can include one or more additional steps and / or one or more other steps in place of the steps shown in FIG. 2. For example, in at least some additional embodiments, an additional step can be performed subsequent to the step 204, at which pairing is achieved between the wireless transmitter 124 and the wireless receiver 114. Subsequently, also for example, further steps can be performed at which operator / user commands (e.g., as indicated by actuation of the actuator button 128) are received at the wireless transmitter and then wireless signals are transmitted for receipt by the wireless receiver 114 that are intended to further govern or influence operation of the food waste disposer 100 of the food waste disposer system 10. Also, in at least some alternate embodiments, the wireless transmitter 124 can include one or more additional input buttons or actuators by which other operator / user commands can be input.
[0034] Turning to FIG. 3, the second method of operation illustrated by the second flow chart 300, which concerns example steps of operation of the wireless receiver 114, begins at a step 302. At the step 302, the food waste disposer system 10, and particularly the food waste disposer 100 and wireless receiver 114 thereof, is powered on. Upon the wireless receiver 114 being powered on, the wireless receiver operates to (or can operate to) receive / detect wireless signals such as (but not limited to) those transmitted by the wireless transmitter 124. Next, at a step 304, the wireless receiver 114 determines whether an appropriate wireless data packet (or other appropriate wireless signal, in other embodiments) has been received during the three seconds immediately following the powering on of the wireless receiver. An appropriate wireless data packet is a wireless data packet that is suitable for receipt by (or suitable for communication with) the wireless receiver 114, such as one of the wireless data packets transmitted by the wireless transmitter 124 at the step 204. It will be appreciated that the wireless receiver 114, to determine whether an appropriate wireless data packet has been received within the desired time window, will include a clock function or capability for determining the extent of the time window.
[0035] If it is determined by the wireless receiver 114 at the step 304 that an appropriate wireless data packet has not been received within the three second period immediately following the powering on of the wireless receiver, then a timeout period occurs and the wireless receiver further determines, at a step 306, whether the wireless receiver is currently or has been paired with any other wireless device. If at the step 306 it is determined that the wireless receiver 114 is currently or has been (at least within a particular past time period) paired with another wireless device, then the method proceeds to a step 308. Upon reaching the step 308, then the wireless receiver operates in a normal manner in terms of being paired with, and communicating with, the other wireless device with which it is already (or has already been) in a paired relationship. For example, if the wireless receiver 114 has already been paired with the wireless transmitter 124 at a prior time, then at the step 308 the wireless receiver can resume normal communications with that wireless transmitter. However, if at the step 306 it is determined that the wireless receiver is not currently, and has not been, paired with any other wireless device, then the method ends at a step 310, at which the wireless receiver 114 concludes that the pairing efforts have failed.
[0036] Further with reference to FIG. 3, if instead it is determined by the wireless receiver 114 at the step 304 that an appropriate wireless data packet has been received within the three second period immediately following the powering on of the wireless receiver, then the method advances to a step 312. At the step 312, the wireless receiver 114 determines the RSSI level or value of the received wireless data packet and further determines whether that RSSI level or value exceeds a threshold level, which in the present example is (as mentioned above) -50dBm. If at the step 312 it is determined that the RSSI level or value of the received wireless data packet does not exceed the threshold level, then the method ends at a step 314, at which the wireless receiver 114 concludes that the pairing efforts have failed. However, if at the step 312 it is determined that the RSSI level or value of the received wireless data packet does exceed the threshold level, then the method advances to a step 316, at which the wireless receiver 114 further determines whether the wireless receiver is currently or has been paired with any other wireless device.
[0037] If at the step 316 it is determined that the wireless receiver 114 is not currently and has not been (at least within a particular past time period) paired with any other wireless device, then the method proceeds from the step 316 to a step 318. In this circumstance, the wireless receiver 114 saves the address of the wireless device from which the wireless data packet was just received, as determined at the step 304. For example, assuming that the wireless data packet that was just received (as determined at the step 304) was transmitted by the wireless transmitter 124, then at the step 318 the wireless receiver 114 would operate to store (e.g., within a memory device of the wireless receiver) the address of the wireless transmitter 124.
[0038] Alternatively, if at the step 316 it is determined that the wireless receiver 114 is currently or has been (at least within a particular past time period) paired with another wireless device, then the method proceeds to a step 320. Upon the method reaching the step 320, the wireless receiver 114 operates to replace (e.g., within a memory device of the wireless receiver) an address of the previously-paired other wireless device with the address of the wireless device from which the wireless data packet was just received, as determined at the step 304. For example, assuming that the wireless data packet that was just received (as determined at the step 304) was transmitted by the wireless transmitter 124, then at the step 320 the wireless receiver 114 would operate to replace any previously-stored address associated with any previously-paired wireless device with the address of the wireless transmitter 124.
[0039] Upon completion of either of the step 318 or the step 320, the address of the wireless device that transmitted the received wireless data packet (as determined at the step 304) will have been stored by the wireless receiver 114, and accordingly a pairing relationship will be established between the wireless receiver and the wireless device to which that address pertains. Again, assuming that the wireless data packet that was just received (as determined at the step 304) was transmitted by the wireless transmitter 124, then upon completion of either of the step 318 or the step 320 then the address of the wireless transmitter 124 will have been stored by the wireless receiver 114, and accordingly a pairing relationship will be established between the wireless receiver and the wireless transmitter.
[0040] Further, upon completion of either the step 318 or the step 320, the method then advances to a step 322. At the step 322, the wireless receiver 114 operates in a normal manner in terms of being paired with, and communicating with, the other wireless device with which it is now in a paired relationship, consistent with the saving of the address in the step 318 or the step 320. Again, assuming that the address saved at the step 318 or the step 320 is that of the wireless transmitter 124, then at the step 322 the wireless receiver will engage in normal communications with the wireless transmitter. Such normal operation occurring at the step 322 (as well as at the step 308 as discussed above) can continue indefinitely, or alternatively can continue until a time at which the food waste disposer system 10, or portion thereof, is powered down. The normal operation encompassed by the step 322 can also include operation (s) in which the wireless receiver 114, upon receiving wireless communication (s) or signal (s) from the wireless transmitter 124, in turn processes those wireless communication (s) / signal (s) (or associated information) and / or outputs signals for receipt by the switching mechanism 116. As described above, such signals when communicated from the wireless receiver 114 to the switching mechanism 116 can cause changes to the switching status of the switching mechanism, which can in turn influence or cause change (s) to the operational status of the motor 110.
[0041] Notwithstanding the above description, the present disclosure is intended to encompass numerous embodiments including those disclosed herein as well as a variety of alternate embodiments. Among other things, although the above description particularly relates to embodiments in which a secure wireless pairing method or system is implemented in relation to a food waste disposer or food waste disposer system as can be implemented (for example) under a household sink, it should be recognized that the secure wireless pairing method described herein can be implemented in, or used for or in conjunction with, any suitable technology, such as other appliances including other small household appliances other than food waste disposers. For example, the secure wireless pairing method described herein can be implemented in, or used for or in conjunction with, ovens, microwave ovens, refrigerators, washing machines, or drying machines (or clothes dryers) . Also, notwithstanding the particular embodiments described above, the present disclosure encompasses numerous embodiments in which secure wireless pairing methods and systems are implemented in or by any of a variety of different types of transmitters, receivers, transceivers, actuators, controllers or controller devices, and appliances, including but not limited to embodiments involving a wireless transmitter that serves as a control device or actuator and a wireless receiver that is part of an appliance or device for which operation is to be controlled.
[0042] Additionally, although some embodiments or applications encompassed herein envision an arrangement in which a wireless receiver is configured to achieve (or limited to achieving) pairing only with a single wireless transmitter, in other embodiments or applications encompassed herein a wireless receiver is configured to achieve (or capable of achieving) pairing with multiple (e.g., two or more) wireless transmitters. Further, even though at least some of the embodiments encompassed herein envision communications between a wireless transmitter and a wireless receiver associated with an appliance such as a food waste disposer, in which the wireless transmitter sends signals to the wireless receiver for controlling or influencing operation of the appliance, the present disclosure also envisions and encompasses embodiments in which the wireless transmitter can be a wireless transceiver that also receives (in addition to transmitting) wireless signals and the wireless receiver can be a wireless transceiver that also transmits (in addition to receiving) wireless signals for receipt by the wireless transmitter. In some such embodiments, the wireless transmitter (or transceiver) can receive wireless signals from the wireless receiver (or transceiver) associated with the appliance, so as to allow the wireless transmitter to monitor operation of the appliance as well as adjust the manner in which operation of the appliance is controlled or influenced based upon such monitoring. Also, in some such embodiments, the wireless transmitter (or transceiver) can include one or more output devices or features (in addition to one or more input devices or features such as input button (s) ) that allow for monitored information or other information to be displayed or otherwise communicated to operator / users.
[0043] One or more of the embodiments encompassed herein can be advantageous in any of a variety of respects. Among other things, at least some embodiments encompassed herein are advantageous in that, in accordance with such embodiments, appliances such as food waste disposers that are configured to engage in wireless communications with associated wireless transmitters (or wireless actuators, or controllers or control devices) are configured to become paired with, and communicate with, such wireless transmitters in manners that avoid or reduce the likelihood that those appliances will become paired with other wireless devices. Given such operation, at least some embodiments encompassed herein can achieve wireless communications between appliances such as food waste disposers and other devices, such as wireless transmitters that are intended to be paired with such appliances, which are enhanced in terms of security.
[0044] It is specifically intended that the present invention not be limited to the embodiments and illustrations contained herein, but include modified forms of those embodiments including portions of the embodiments and combinations of elements of different embodiments as come within the scope of the following claims.
Claims
1.A food waste disposer system configured to employ wireless communications involving pairing, the food waste disposer system comprising:a food waste disposer including:an enclosure within which is provided a food conveying section;a motor section including a motor;a grinding section between the food conveying section and motor section;a wireless receiver; anda switching mechanism at least indirectly coupling the wireless receiverand the motor of the motor section; anda wireless transmitter configured for transmitting wireless signals for receipt by the wireless receiver, the wireless transmitter including an operator-actuatable feature,wherein the wireless receiver is configured to determine whether at least one of the wireless signals has been received within a first period of time,wherein the wireless receiver is configured to determine whether a Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) value of or associated with the at least one of the wireless signals exceeded a threshold, andwherein the wireless receiver is configured to enter into a pairing relationship with the wireless transmitter only if the wireless receiver both determined that the at least one of the wireless signals has been received within the first period of time and also that the RSSI value of or associated with the at least one of the wireless signals has exceeded the threshold.2.The food waste disposer system of claim 1,wherein the at least one wireless signal is a wireless data packet, andwherein the threshold is equal to, or substantially equal to, -50dBm or -60dBm.3.The food waste disposer system of claim 1 wherein, upon the wireless receiver entering into the pairing relationship, the wireless receiver is capable of receiving at least one additional wireless signal that includes a control instruction and, upon receiving that at least one additional wireless signal, the wireless receiver sends an additional signal to the switching mechanism that in turn causes a switching status of the switching mechanism to change, so as to cause a change in an operational status of the motor.4.The food waste disposer system of claim 1 wherein, because the wireless receiver is configured to enter into the pairing relationship with the wireless transmitter only if the wireless receiver both determined that the at least one of the wireless signals has been received within the first period of time and also that the RSSI value of or associated with the at least one of the wireless signals has exceeded the threshold, the wireless receiver operates to refrain from entering into an alternate pairing relationship with a further device.5.The food waste disposer system of claim 1, wherein the wireless transmitter is configured to transmit wireless data packets on a periodic basis.6.The food waste disposer system of claim 1, wherein the wireless receiver includes or is in communication with a memory device, wherein the wireless receiver is configured to save an address associated with the wireless transmitter if the wireless receiver both determined that the at least one of the wireless signals has been received within the first period of time and also that the RSSI value of or associated with the at least one of the wireless signals has exceeded the threshold, and wherein the wireless receiver is configured to enter into the pairing relationship when the address is saved.7.The food waste disposer system of claim 6, wherein the wireless receiver when saving the address causes the address to be substituted for a prior address if the wireless receiver was previously paired with an additional wireless device associated with the prior address.8.The food waste disposer system of claim 1, wherein the wireless receiver is further configured to enter into the pairing relationship with the wireless transmitter instead of entering into a pairing relationship with an additional wireless device, even if the wireless receiver additionally determines that a second one of the wireless signals transmitted by the additional wireless device has been received within the first period of time and also that an additional RSSI value of or associated with the second one of the wireless signals has exceeded the threshold, if the wireless receiver determines that the second one of the wireless signals was received after the at least one of the wireless signals was received.9.The wirelessly-controllable food waste disposer system of claim 1, wherein the operator-actuatable feature includes an actuator button, and wherein the at least one wireless signal is transmitted by the wireless transmitter in response to an actuation of the actuator button.10.A wireless pairing method for a waste disposer, the method comprising:powering on the waste disposer at a first time;determining, at a wireless receiver within the waste disposer, whether a first wireless signal has been received within a first time period after the first time;if it is determined that the first wireless signal has been received within the first time period, then further determining, at the wireless receiver, whether a Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) value of or associated with the first wireless signal has exceeded a threshold; andif it is determined that the Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) value of or associated with the first wireless signal has exceeded the first threshold, then saving a first address associated with a wireless transmitter that generated the first wireless signal, and establishing a pairing connection between the wireless transmitter and the wireless receiver,wherein one or more wireless communications subsequently occur between the wireless transmitter and the wireless receiver so as to permit the wireless transmitter to communicate a control instruction to the wireless receiver relating to an operation of the waste disposer.11.The wireless pairing method of claim 10, wherein the wireless signal is a wireless data packet.12.The wireless pairing method of claim 10, wherein the wireless receiver is further configured so that, if no wireless signal is received within the first time period, then the wireless receiver either does not proceed with conducting wireless communications or proceeds with conducting additional wireless communications with respect to an additional wireless device with which the wireless receiver had conducted past wireless communications.13.The wireless pairing method of claim 10, wherein the wireless receiver is further configured so that, if a previous address had been previously saved in relation to a previous pairing of the wireless receiver with a previous device prior to the first time or prior to an additional time at which the first address is saved, then the previous address is replaced with the first address when the first address is saved.14.The wireless pairing method of claim 10, further comprising:upon the wireless receiver receiving the control instruction, sending a signal from the wireless receiver to a switching mechanism of the waste disposer so as to change a switching status of the switching mechanism, wherein the change in the switching status results in a change in an operational status of a motor of the waste disposer.15.An appliance configured to employ wireless communications involving pairing, the appliance comprising:a controllable component;a wireless receiver; anda switching mechanism at least indirectly coupling the wireless receiver and the controllable component;wherein the wireless receiver is configured to determine whether a first wireless signal has been received from a wireless transmitter within a first period of time,wherein the wireless receiver is configured to determine whether a Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) value of or associated with the first wireless signal exceeded a threshold, andwherein the wireless receiver is configured to enter into a pairing relationship with the wireless transmitter only if the wireless receiver both determined that the first wireless signal has been received within the first period of time and also that the RSSI value of or associated with the first wireless signal has exceeded the threshold.16.An appliance system including the appliance of claim 15, wherein the appliance system further includes the wireless transmitter, which is configured for transmitting wireless signals for receipt by the wireless receiver, wherein the wireless transmitter includes an operator-actuatable feature, and wherein the first wireless signal is transmitted by the wireless transmitter in response to an actuation of the operator-actuatable feature.17.The appliance of claim 15 wherein, upon the wireless receiver entering into the pairing relationship, the wireless receiver is capable of receiving at least one additional wireless signal that includes a control instruction and, upon receiving that at least one additional wireless signal, the wireless receiver sends an additional signal to the switching mechanism that in turn causes a switching status of the switching mechanism to change, so as to cause a change in an operational status of the controllable element.18.The appliance of claim 15, wherein the appliance is a waste disposer and the controllable element is a motor.19.The appliance of claim 15 wherein, because the wireless receiver is configured to enter into the pairing relationship with the wireless transmitter only if the wireless receiver both determined that the at least one of the wireless signals has been received within the first period of time and also that the RSSI value of or associated with the at least one of the wireless signals has exceeded the threshold, the wireless receiver operates to refrain from entering into an alternate pairing relationship with a further device.20.The appliance of claim 19,wherein the appliance is a food waste disposer,wherein the wireless receiver is configured to save an address associated with the wireless transmitter if the wireless receiver both determined that the first wireless signal has been received within the first period of time and also that the RSSI value of or associated with the first wireless signal has exceeded the threshold, andwherein the wireless receiver when saving the address causes the address to be substituted for a prior address if the wireless receiver was previously paired with an additional wireless device associated with the prior address.