US 11,946,187 B2
Method for preventing accidental washing of electronic devices in a washing machine appliance
Fikreadam Abebe Damtew, Louisville, KY (US); and Senthil Kandasamy, Louisville, KY (US)
Assigned to Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc., Wilmington, DE (US)
Filed by Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc., Wilmington, DE (US)
Filed on Aug. 18, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/405,243.
Prior Publication US 2023/0054399 A1, Feb. 23, 2023
Int. Cl. D06F 37/42 (2006.01); D06F 34/05 (2020.01); D06F 34/14 (2020.01); D06F 105/58 (2020.01); D06F 105/60 (2020.01); H04W 4/80 (2018.01)
CPC D06F 37/42 (2013.01) [D06F 34/05 (2020.02); D06F 34/14 (2020.02); H04W 4/80 (2018.02); D06F 2105/58 (2020.02); D06F 2105/60 (2020.02)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
11. A method of operating a washing machine appliance, the washing machine appliance comprising a cabinet including a tub, a wireless communication module provided within the cabinet and configured to send and receive wireless signals, and a controller in operative communication with the wireless communication module, the method comprising:
receiving an initiation signal for a laundry operation to be performed by the washing machine appliance;
sending a wake-up signal to a mobile electronic device via the wireless communication module in response to receiving the initiation signal;
emitting a laundry operation trigger prior to initiating the laundry operation;
determining that the mobile electronic device is within a predetermined distance from the washing machine appliance in response to generating the laundry operation trigger;
receiving a cycle authorization signal; and
initiating the laundry operation.