Semi-autonomous web enabled skate reconditioning device, system and process

Abstract

A system for reconditioning an ice skate includes an ice skate sharpening assembly having a housing defining a slot, and an ice skate sharpening device positioned within the housing, the slot configured to receive a portion of an ice skate, the portion of the ice skate configured to engage with the ice skate sharpening device. A user interface is in communication with the ice skate sharpening assembly, the user interface is web enabled and configured to communicate through the Internet, the user interface further configured to provide instructions to selectively operate the ice skate sharpening device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for reconditioning an ice skate comprising:
 an ice skate sharpening assembly including:
 a housing defining a slot, and 
 an ice skate sharpening device positioned within the housing, the slot configured to receive a portion of an ice skate, the portion of the ice skate configured to engage with the ice skate sharpening device, and 
   a user interface in communication with the ice skate sharpening assembly, the user interface is web enabled and configured to communicate through the Internet, the user interface further configured to provide instructions to selectively operate the ice skate sharpening device.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , the ice skate sharpening assembly further comprising:
 a vacuum system configured to collect debris generated by the ice skate sharpening device.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the user interface is configured to provide instructions to selectively operate the vacuum system. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , the ice skate sharpening assembly further comprising:
 a controller operably connected to the ice skate sharpening device, the controller is configured to selectively operate the ice skate sharpening device.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the user interface is in communication with the controller, the user interface is configured to provide instructions to the controller to selectively operate the ice skate sharpening device. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 4 , the ice skate sharpening assembly further comprising:
 a vacuum system configured to collect debris generated by the ice skate sharpening device, wherein the controller is configured to selectively operate the vacuum system.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 4 , the ice skate sharpening assembly further comprising:
 a servo motor in operable communication with the controller; and   an actuator operably connected to the servo motor,   wherein in response to a command by the controller, the servo motor moves the actuator into contact with a power switch of the ice skate sharpening device to selectively operate the ice skate sharpening device.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , the ice skate sharpening assembly further comprising:
 a visual indicator defined by a plurality of lights coupled to the housing, the visual indicator configured to emit different colors of light.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 4 , the ice skate sharpening assembly further comprising:
 a visual indicator defined by a plurality of lights coupled to the housing, the visual indicator configured to emit different colors of light, wherein the controller is configured to selectively operate the visual indicator.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein in response to the ice skate sharpening device not operating, the visual indicator emits a first color of light, and wherein in response to the ice skate sharpening device operating, the visual indicator emits a second color of light. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 4 , the ice skate sharpening assembly further comprising:
 a photoreceptor configured to detect at least one light wavelength emitted by the ice skate sharpening device, the photoreceptor in operable communication with the controller, wherein in response to detection of the at least one light wavelength emitted by the ice skate sharpening device, the controller detects that the ice skate sharpening device has completed an ice skate sharpening cycle.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the user interface is web enabled and configured to communicate through the Internet. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a video camera configured to observe a portion of the ice skate sharpening assembly, the video camera is web enabled and configured to communicate through the Internet.   
     
     
         14 . A method of reconditioning an ice skate, comprising:
 inputting a unique alphanumeric identification number into a user interface;   confirming the unique alphanumeric identification number is associated with a valid account;   positioning a first ice skate into engagement with an ice skate sharpening assembly;   selecting a confirmation on the user interface to proceed with sharpening the first ice skate;   initiating operation of the ice skate sharpening assembly to sharpen the first ice skate;   illuminating a visual indicator to emit light having a first color associated with sharpening the first ice skate; and   detecting completion of sharpening the first ice skate, wherein in response to detecting completion of sharpening the first ice skate, illuminating the visual indicator to emit light having a second color different that the first color.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 presenting instructions on the user interface to position the first ice skate into engagement with the ice skate sharpening assembly after the confirming step.