Patent attributes
Techniques are described for communicating with and controlling a laundry machine. In some cases, the laundry machine emits, using at least one wireless network interface, a beacon signal that identifies a laundry machine. The beacon signal may be detectable by a mobile device and, based on the signal, the mobile device may determine that it is in proximity to the laundry machine. In some implementations, the determination that the mobile device is in proximity to the laundry machine may be based on receiving, from the mobile device, a request that includes a code associated with the laundry machine. A network interface of the laundry machine may receive a control signal to alter an operational state of the laundry machine to enable its use. In some cases, the sending of the control signal is caused by the determination that the mobile device is in proximity to the laundry machine.
