Non-integrated bulk dispenser and method of operating a dishwasher having same

A method of operating a removable dispensing cartridge assembly provided in a treating chamber with an open face at least partially defined by a tub of a dishwasher having a cover for selectively opening/closing the open face, the method comprising:

• detecting a characteristic of the removable dispensing cartridge assembly;
• detecting an amount of illumination in the treating chamber;
• and
• emitting a human-detectable signal from the removable dispensing cartridge assembly when the detected amount of illumination is indicative of the open face being at least partially opened and wherein the human-detectable signal is based on the detected characteristic of the removable dispensing cartridge assembly.

A dispensing cartridge assembly, comprising:

• at least one treating chemistry reservoir configured to store multiple doses of treating chemistry;
• a base configure to receive the at least one treating chemistry reservoir;
• a sensor outputting a first signal indicative of a presence of the at least one treating chemistry reservoir in the base;
• an illumination detector outputting a second signal indicative of ambient illumination;
• an indicator outputting a human-detectable signal;
• a timer outputting a third signal indicative of elapsed time from a time the indicator is activated;
• and
• a controller receiving the first and second signals and operably coupled to the indicator to activate the indicator to emit the human-detectable signal in response to the first signal and the second signal indicating a predetermined amount of illumination and where the controller is configured to receive the third signal and cease emitting the human-detectable signal based thereon.