US6453687B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Refrigeration monitor unit
Assignee: Robertshaw Controls Co
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Filing: 2001-01-08
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Granted: 2002-09-24
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Expires: 2021-01-08
Abstract
Abstract A unit is attached to a refrigeration appliance, such as a freezer, or refrigerator, to alert the user of a sensed condition within the appliance that food spoilage may occur. The unit can monitor temperature within the compartment and determine how long until food spoilage occurs. The unit also can alert a user, monitoring service, or call a repairperson. The unit may be retrofit into existing appliances.
Inventors
- 👤 John N. Sharood
- 👤 D. Mitchell Carr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 22:01
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L12/00; H04L12/28; H04L12/2803; H04L12/2816; H04L12/282; F; F25; F25D; F25D29/00; G; G05; G05B; G05B19/00; G06; G06Q; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/08; G06Q20/10; G06Q20/105; H02; H02J; H02J13/00; H02J13/10; H02J13/13; H02J13/1311; H02J13/1321; H02J13/1325; H02J13/1331; H02J13/1333; H02J13/1335; F25B; F25B2600/00; F25B2600/07; F25D2400/00; F25D2400/36; F25D2700/00; F25D2700/12; H04B; H04B2203/00; H04B2203/54; H04B2203/5429; H04B2203/5445; H04B2203/5454; H04B2203/5462; H04B2203/5495; H04L2012/2847; H04L2012/285; Y; Y02; Y02B; Y02B30/00; Y02B30/70; Y02B70/00; Y02B70/30; Y02B90/00; Y02B90/20; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y04; Y04S; Y04S10/00; Y04S10/40; Y04S20/00; Y04S20/20; Y04S20/221; Y04S20/242; Y04S20/244; Y04S40/00; Y04S40/12; Y04S40/121; Y04S40/124; Y04S40/126; Y04S50/00; Y04S50/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
A refrigeration appliance comprising: a compartment; an appliance controller configured to control operating conditions of the compartment; a sensor configured to sense a condition within the compartment; a power supply configured to receive power from a power source; and a retrofit device including a first coupler configured to connect to the power supply and to receive the power; a second coupler configured to supply the power to the appliance controller; and a monitoring circuit connected to the first coupler and the second coupler, the monitoring circuit being configured to monitor the sensed condition and to use the first coupler to transmit data based on the sensed condition.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
107 words
A refrigeration appliance comprising: a compartment; an appliance controller configured to control operating conditions of the compartment; a sensor configured to sense a condition within the compartment; a power supply configured to receive power from a power source; and a retrofit device including a first coupler configured to connect to the power supply and to receive the power; a second coupler configured to supply the power to the appliance controller; and a monitoring circuit connected to the first coupler and the second coupler, the monitoring circuit being configured to monitor the sensed condition and to use the first coupler to transmit data based on the sensed condition.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
The appliance of claim 1 wherein the compartment is a freezer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
11 words
The appliance of claim 1 wherein the sensed condition is temperature.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The appliance of claim 1 wherein the monitoring circuit includes a processor configured to determine a time when food spoilage will occur based on the sensed condition.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The appliance of claim 4 wherein the data includes the time when food spoilage will occur.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The appliance of claim 4 wherein the data includes an indication that the processor has determined that food spoilage has occurred.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
The appliance of claim 1 further comprising a battery connected to the monitoring circuit, wherein the monitoring circuit is configured to monitor power supplied to the appliance, and to send a signal if the supplied power is interrupted.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The appliance of claim 7 wherein the signal indicates that no power is being supplied.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The appliance of claim 7 wherein the signal indicates when food spoilage will occur.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
89 words
A retrofit device configured to monitor a refrigeration appliance including a power supply, the retrofit device comprising: an interface configured to receive a sensed condition of the appliance; a first coupler configured to receive power from a power source; a second coupler configured to provide the received power to the power supply; and a monitoring circuit connected to the first coupler and the second coupler, the monitoring circuit being configured to monitor the sensed condition and to use the first coupler to transmit data based on the sensed condition.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
89 words
A retrofit device configured to monitor a refrigeration appliance including a power supply, the retrofit device comprising: an interface configured to receive a sensed condition of the appliance; a first coupler configured to receive power from a power source; a second coupler configured to provide the received power to the power supply; and a monitoring circuit connected to the first coupler and the second coupler, the monitoring circuit being configured to monitor the sensed condition and to use the first coupler to transmit data based on the sensed condition.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
The retrofit device of claim 10 wherein the sensed condition is temperature.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The retrofit device of claim 10 wherein the monitoring circuit includes a processor configured to determine a time when food spoilage will occur based on the sensed condition.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The retrofit device of claim 12 wherein the data includes the time when food spoilage will occur.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The retrofit device of claim 10 wherein the data includes an indication that the processor has determined that food spoilage has occurred.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
38 words
The retrofit device of claim 10 further comprising a battery connected to the monitoring circuit wherein the monitoring circuit is configured to monitor power supplied to the appliance and to send a signal if supplied power is interrupted.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The retrofit device of claim 15 wherein the signal indicates that no power is being supplied.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The retrofit device of claim 15 wherein the signal indicates when food spoilage will occur.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
92 words
A retrofit system configured to monitor a refrigeration appliance including a power supply, the system comprising: a sensor configured to sense a condition within the appliance; a first coupler configured to receive power from a power source; a second coupler configured to provide the received power to the power supply; and a monitoring device connected to the sensor, the first coupler, and the second coupler, the monitoring device including a monitoring circuit configured to monitor the sensed condition and to use the first coupler to transmit data based on the sensed condition.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
92 words
A retrofit system configured to monitor a refrigeration appliance including a power supply, the system comprising: a sensor configured to sense a condition within the appliance; a first coupler configured to receive power from a power source; a second coupler configured to provide the received power to the power supply; and a monitoring device connected to the sensor, the first coupler, and the second coupler, the monitoring device including a monitoring circuit configured to monitor the sensed condition and to use the first coupler to transmit data based on the sensed condition.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
The retrofit system of claim 18 wherein the monitoring device is mounted on the appliance.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
12 words
The retrofit system of claim 18 wherein the sensed condition is temperature.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
28 words
The retrofit system of claim 18 wherein the monitoring circuit includes a processor configured to determine a time when food spoilage will occur based on the sensed condition.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
The retrofit system of claim 21 wherein the data includes the time when food spoilage will occur.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
22 words
The retrofit system of claim 21 wherein the data includes an indication that the processor has determined that food spoilage has occurred.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
38 words
The retrofit system of claim 18 further comprising a battery connected to the monitoring circuit, wherein the monitoring circuit is configured to monitor power supplied to the appliance and to send a signal if supplied power is interrupted.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
16 words
The retrofit system of claim 24 wherein the signal indicates that no power is being supplied.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
15 words
The retrofit system of claim 24 wherein the signal indicates when food spoilage will occur.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
87 words
A retrofit appliance monitoring system comprising: a refrigeration appliance including a power supply; a sensor configured to sense an appliance condition; and a retrofit plug including a first coupler configured to receive power from a power source; a second coupler configured to provide the received power to the power supply; and a monitoring circuit connected to the first coupler and the second coupler, the monitoring circuit being configured to monitor the sensed condition and to use the first coupler to transmit data based on the sensed condition.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
87 words
A retrofit appliance monitoring system comprising: a refrigeration appliance including a power supply; a sensor configured to sense an appliance condition; and a retrofit plug including a first coupler configured to receive power from a power source; a second coupler configured to provide the received power to the power supply; and a monitoring circuit connected to the first coupler and the second coupler, the monitoring circuit being configured to monitor the sensed condition and to use the first coupler to transmit data based on the sensed condition.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
50 words
The retrofit appliance monitoring system of claim 27 further comprising: an interface configured to receive the transmitted data from the first coupler; a control server connected to the interface and configured to generate a message in response to the transmitted data; and a user interface configured to display the message.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
25 words
The retrofit appliance monitoring system of claim 28 wherein the sensed condition is temperature and the transmitted data indicates a time until food spoilage occurs.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
30 words
The retrofit appliance monitoring system of claim 28 wherein the sensed condition is temperature and the transmitted data includes an indication that no power is supplied to the refrigeration appliance.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-09-23 | 2006-03-25 | 2006-09-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-09-23 | 2010-03-25 | 2010-09-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-09-23 | 2014-03-25 | 2014-09-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |