Dryer appliance and methods for communicating with a remote device

Abstract

A dryer appliance and a method of operating the same includes periodically communicating a progress update to a remote device, such as a cell phone or tablet that may be removably mounted to the dryer appliance. The progress update may include an indication of remaining moisture content, a progress status bar, or an estimated time remaining to a remote device. A user may send a command from the remote device to adjust at least one operating parameter of the dryer appliance. The dryer appliance may receive the command, implement the operating change, and communicate a revised progress update.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of operating a dryer appliance comprising:
 initiating a drying cycle;   communicating a progress update of the drying cycle to a remote device;   receiving a command from the remote device to adjust at least one operating parameter of the dryer appliance; and   adjusting the at least one operating parameter in response to receiving the command from the remote device.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the progress update comprises:
 a progress bar displayed on the remote device and providing an indication of a moisture content of the clothes within a drying chamber.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the progress update comprises:
 a notification to the remote device that a moisture content of the clothes has fallen below a predetermined level.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the moisture content of the clothes within the drying chamber is determined at least in part using a humidity sensor. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the progress update further comprises:
 providing an estimated time remaining after adjusting the at least one operating parameter.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the remote device is not connected to the dryer appliance. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the remote device is removably mounted to a docking port on the dryer appliance. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the remote device is a connected to the dryer appliance using a local area network. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the remote device is a connected to the dryer appliance using Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the remote device is a connected to the dryer appliance through a remote server. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the remote device is a personal phone, a tablet, or a computer. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein adjusting at least one operating parameter comprises:
 stopping the drying cycle of the dryer appliance.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein adjusting at least one operating parameter comprises:
 setting a termination time.   
     
     
         14 . A dryer appliance comprising:
 a cabinet;   a drum rotatably mounted within the cabinet, the drum defining a chamber for receipt of clothes for drying;   a humidity sensor for measuring a chamber humidity;   a controller comprising a communication module in operative communication with a remote device, the controller being configured for:
 initiating a drying cycle; 
 communicating a progress update of the drying cycle to a remote device; 
 receiving a command from the remote device to adjust at least one operating parameter of the dryer appliance; and 
 adjusting the at least one operating parameter in response to receiving the command from the remote device. 
   
     
     
         15 . The dryer appliance of  claim 14 , wherein the progress update comprises:
 a progress bar displayed on the remote device and providing an indication of a moisture content of the clothes within a drying chamber.   
     
     
         16 . The dryer appliance of  claim 15 , wherein the moisture content of the clothes within the drying chamber is determined at least in part using the humidity sensor. 
     
     
         17 . The dryer appliance of  claim 14 , wherein the progress update further comprises:
 providing an estimated time remaining after adjusting the at least one operating parameter.   
     
     
         18 . The dryer appliance of  claim 14 , wherein the remote device is a connected to the dryer appliance using Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. 
     
     
         19 . The dryer appliance of  claim 14 , wherein the remote device is a personal phone, a tablet, or a computer. 
     
     
         20 . The dryer appliance of  claim 14 , wherein adjusting at least one operating parameter comprises:
 stopping the drying cycle of the dryer appliance or setting a termination time.