US 11,947,714 B2
System and method for authorizing appliance access
Ryan James Scheckelhoff, Louisville, KY (US); Richard Dean Suel, II, Louisville, KY (US); and John Gilman Chapman, Jr., 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 Nov. 9, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/521,936.
Prior Publication US 2023/0143380 A1, May 11, 2023
Int. Cl. G06F 21/86 (2013.01); H04W 12/03 (2021.01); H04W 12/0431 (2021.01); H04W 12/069 (2021.01); H04W 12/08 (2021.01); G06K 19/06 (2006.01)
CPC G06F 21/86 (2013.01) [H04W 12/03 (2021.01); H04W 12/0431 (2021.01); H04W 12/069 (2021.01); H04W 12/08 (2013.01); G06K 19/06028 (2013.01); G06K 19/06037 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An appliance comprising:
a cabinet;
an external communication port positioned on the cabinet;
a wireless communication module in wireless communication with a remote server through an external network; and
a controller in operative communication with the external communication port, the wireless communication module, and a remote service device, the controller being configured to:
receive, using the wireless communication module, a secure unlock command from a remote server, the secure unlock command being generated when the remote service device transmits appliance identification data to the remote server;
unlock the external communication port to permit the remote service device to access operating software through the external communication port, and
notify the remote service device when the external communication port has been unlocked,
wherein the controller is in operative communication with the remote service device, the controller further being configured to:
determine that the remote service device has disconnected from the external communication port; and
lock the external communication port to prevent further access to the operating software;
wherein the appliance is a laundry appliance.