Laundry appliances content systems and methods

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users of commercial laundry appliances, such as those in laundromats, often face idle time while waiting for cycles to complete, and are price-sensitive, making it beneficial to provide opportunities for earning discounts or rebates during this downtime.

Innovation Solution

A method of operating a laundry appliance that involves receiving an access request from a remote user interface device, reserving the appliance, activating it to perform a laundry treatment operation, and displaying third-party content on the remote user interface device during the operation, allowing users to earn discounts or rebates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If users wait for laundry cycles to complete, then the laundry appliance performs its function, but users experience idle time and cannot earn discounts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveidle time during laundry cycleVSAvoiduser productivity during waiting period

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a remote user interface device as an intermediary between the user and the laundry appliance. This device displays third-party content during the laundry cycle, allowing users to productively utilize their idle time by viewing advertisements or other content, thereby converting unproductive waiting time into a beneficial experience that can earn discounts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If laundry appliances are operated on a pay-per-use basis, then revenue is generated, but price-sensitive users require additional incentives

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverevenue generation for laundromatVSAvoidpricing flexibility for different user segments

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic pricing mechanism where the cost or discount level changes based on user engagement with displayed content. Users can earn discounts by viewing third-party content during their laundry cycle, creating a flexible pricing structure that adapts to user behavior and provides incentives for price-sensitive customers while maintaining revenue generation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If third-party content is displayed during laundry operations, then users can earn discounts, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser experience during waiting periodVSAvoidsystem complexity for content display

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a remote user interface device as an intermediary to handle the complexity of content display, communication, and discount management. This separates the complex functions from the laundry appliance itself, allowing the appliance to remain relatively simple while still providing enhanced user experience through content display and discount earning mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20250066975A1Laundry appliances content systems and methods

Publication Date: 2025.02.27 HAIER US APPLIANCE SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

A method of operating a laundry appliance includes activating the laundry appliance. Activating the laundry appliance causes the laundry appliance to perform a laundry treatment operation. The laundry appliance is activated in response to a command from a remote user interface device in communication with the laundry appliance. The method further includes displaying third-party content on the remote user interface device during the laundry treatment operation. The command is received via a laundry app on the remote user interface device and the third-party content is displayed in the laundry app.