Dishwasher, device having a dishwasher, and method for operating a dishwasher

Abstract

The invention relates to a dishwasher (1), in particular a household dishwasher, comprising: a control device (15) for executing a rinsing program for rinsing soiled laundry (30); a receiving unit (16) for receiving a sensor signal indicating a dirt type (SA, SB, SC) adhering to the soiled laundry (30) from a plurality of dirt types (SA, SB, SC), each of the dirt types (SA, SB, SC) being determined by a dirt parameter matrix (MXA, MXB, MXC, SMX), in which a dirt parameter is assigned to each position (a_11-a_nm); a determination unit (20) being provided, which is configured to determine the dirt type (SA, SB, SC) adhering to the soiled laundry (30) based on the received sensor signal; and the control device (15) being configured to execute the rinsing program based on the determined dirt type (SA, SB, SC).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a dishwasher, a device comprising a dishwasher and a computing unit, and a method for operating a dishwasher. Background Art

[0002] Known dishwashers include a sensor system that can detect various operating parameters during the rinse cycle. The dishwasher's control system can adapt one or more rinse program parameters based on the values of the operating parameters to improve the rinse result. For example, sensors are known that analyze the rinse liquid and thereby degrade the dirt in it. Depending on the detected dirt, the rinse liquid can be completely or partially replaced, for example, with clean water.

[0003] US 2009 / 0071508 A1 describes a dishwasher having controllable spray arms which can be controlled in such a way that they supply rinse liquid in a targeted manner to areas with a higher degree of soiling.

[0004] DE 10 2012 223 243 A1 describes a household appliance that is configured for data transmission with a mobile terminal having an integrated camera. The mobile terminal's camera can be used to capture an image of the degree of soiling in or on the household appliance and transmit it to a server, which analyzes the image of the degree of soiling and transmits a cleaning program suitable for this degree of soiling to the mobile terminal.

[0005] DE 10 2014 208 861 A1 describes a water-conducting household appliance having a receiving unit for receiving at least one signal from a device coupled to the household appliance, a plurality of actuators for executing a plurality of programs, an evaluation unit for selecting a program from the plurality of programs based on the at least one received signal, and a control unit, which is configured to control the actuators for carrying out the selected program. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Against this background, the object of the present invention is to provide an improved dishwasher.

[0007] According to a first aspect, a dishwasher, in particular a household dishwasher, is provided with a control device for executing a rinsing program for rinsing soiled laundry. The household dishwasher includes a receiving unit for receiving a sensor signal indicating a type of dirt adhering to the soiled laundry from a plurality of dirt types, wherein each of the dirt types is determined by a dirt parameter matrix in which a dirt parameter is assigned to each position. A determination unit is also provided, which is configured to determine the type of dirt adhering to the soiled laundry based on the received sensor signal. The control device is configured to execute the rinsing program based on the determined dirt type.

[0008] The dishwasher has the advantage that the control device can optimally adapt the rinsing program to the determined type of soiling, thus optimizing the rinsing result.

[0009] The control device can be implemented in hardware and / or software. In a hardware implementation, the control device can be designed, for example, as a computer or a microprocessor. In a software implementation, the control device can be designed as a computer program product, as a function, as a routine, as part of a program code, or as an executable object.

[0010] The corresponding units, such as the receiving unit and the evaluation unit, can be implemented in hardware and / or software. In a hardware implementation, the corresponding units can be designed, for example, as a computer or a microprocessor. In a software implementation, the corresponding units can be designed as a computer program product, as a function, as a routine, as part of a program code, or as an executable object. Furthermore, the corresponding units can form components of other units or a control device.

[0011] The receiving unit comprises, for example, a modem and is coupled or partially coupleable to at least one sensor. The coupled or coupleable sensor is configured to output a sensor signal to the receiving unit.

[0012] The sensor signal indicates the type of dirt attached to the soiled laundry, with multiple dirt types differing from one another. Each dirt type is determined by a dirt parameter matrix. It can also be said that the dirt parameter matrix forms a finger pressure for the corresponding dirt type. Each position in the dirt parameter matrix, that is, each matrix entry, is assigned a dirt parameter. A dirt parameter is specifically understood to be an abstract value that can be calculated, for example, from the sensor signal using a predetermined method or algorithm. In this sense, each dirt parameter can be assigned a predetermined method or algorithm. Predefined methods can also include machine learning methods.

[0013] It is noted here that the dirt parameters can also be present in another arrangement as a matrix, for example as a list, a table or the like. An arrangement in a matrix can facilitate mathematical operations.

[0014] For example, the "ketchup" soil type should be recognizable in a photograph. Ketchup is typically red, so it's feasible to analyze red spots in the photograph. This can be achieved using a corresponding algorithm that outputs a value of "1" as a result when a complete red spot is present and a value of "0" when the spot lacks any red color. Thus, a high value for the soil parameter defined in this way serves as a marker for the presence of the "ketchup" soil type. To avoid confusion with other soil types (e.g., red wine), other soil parameters are defined, such as the morphology and / or structure of the spot.

[0015] The measuring unit is provided for measuring the dirt type adhering to the flushing article. To this end, the measuring unit can be provided for measuring at least one dirt type for each dirt or for each spot on the flushing article.

[0016] For example, based on the sensor signal, the determination unit determines one or more contamination parameters as described above. Each additionally determined contamination parameter allows for a precise determination of the contamination type. This can be achieved, in particular, through a process of elimination. For example, based on the contamination parameters defined above, (red) tomato sauce and red wine can be quickly and reliably eliminated, provided that a specific threshold value for the contamination parameter is not exceeded.

[0017] In the case of soiling containing different soil types (e.g. a mixture of ketchup and mayonnaise), the determination unit can, for example, determine the percentage proportion of the respective soil type contained. Different soil types can also be determined for spatially divided soiling in different areas on the wash product.

[0018] Based on the detected soil type, the control unit can execute an optimized rinse program. To this end, it can adapt various rinse program parameters, such as water consumption, rinse liquid temperature, circulating pump speed, duration of individual rinse program segments (e.g., pre-rinse, main rinse, rinse, and / or drying), the amount and / or type of metered detergent, and the metering times of one or more different detergents (e.g., detergent, rinse aid, rinse agent, bleach, and the like). This allows for optimized rinse results and reduces the addition of chemicals to support the rinse process, as well as water and / or energy consumption.

[0019] In one embodiment of the dishwasher, the dishwasher includes an automatic metering system configured to automatically meter at least one detergent. Preferably, the automatic metering system is configured to meter multiple detergents on demand. The dishwasher control device is specifically configured to control the automatic metering system.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the domestic dishwasher, the sensor signal includes image information of the soiled wash load.

[0021] The image information is, for example, a digital picture of soiled washware, which is captured by a camera of the dishwasher or also by an external camera and transmitted to the receiving unit.

[0022] The image information can be used to determine the type of soiling. For example, the appearance of soiling on the flushing material, i.e., the geometric shape and / or morphology of the soiling, can be considered. The shape and / or material of the flushing material can also be indirectly inferred, for example, when liquid food, such as soup, is placed in a bowl or similar dish. Similarly, the shape and / or material of the flushing material can be determined based on the image information.

[0023] According to a further embodiment of the dishwasher, the determination unit comprises an image processing unit which is configured to determine a value of at least one soiling parameter contained in the soiling parameter matrix based on the image information.

[0024] The image processing unit can, in particular, have a graphics processor and / or a neural network.

[0025] According to a further embodiment of the dishwasher, a database unit, a generation unit, and a comparison unit are provided, wherein the database unit is configured to store a soil parameter matrix for each of a plurality of soil types, wherein the respective soil parameter matrix for each soil parameter comprises predetermined values or value ranges, wherein the generation unit is configured to generate a current soil parameter matrix as a function of determined values of at least one soil parameter, wherein the comparison unit is configured to compare the generated current soil parameter matrix with at least a subset of the soil parameter matrices stored in the database unit and to output a comparison result, and wherein the determination unit is configured to determine the type of soil adhering to the soiled wash items as a function of the comparison result.

[0026] The soiling parameter matrix stored in the database unit forms a reference whose entries, ie the values of the soiling parameters, are typical values for specific soiling types. This reference matrix is provided, for example, by the manufacturer of the dishwasher.

[0027] For example, a soil parameter matrix is determined for flushing material soiled with a specific soil type. Advantageously, this prevents any confusion between a specific soil type and another soil type. To account for specific control of individual soil parameter values, which can be caused, for example, by lighting conditions when capturing images of the flushing material, intervals and / or tolerance ranges or error ranges can be specified in the soil parameter matrix for each soil type instead of individual values. The intervals or tolerance ranges can be determined empirically, in particular, by measuring the corresponding values of the soil parameter for a plurality of different sensor signals (each of which is measured from flushing material with a specific soil type) and subsequently performing a statistical evaluation of the plurality of values.

[0028] In one embodiment, it can be provided that different soil parameter matrices are stored for different combinations of soil type and material of the flushing material, since, for example, the shape of the spots can depend on the material of the flushing material, such as plastic, glass, metal or ceramic.

[0029] The generating unit generates a current dirt parameter matrix, and determines or calculates values of the dirt parameter matrix of the dirt parameters according to the received sensor signals.

[0030] The comparison unit compares the generated current dirt parameter matrix with one or more stored dirt parameter matrices. A comparison is to be understood as, in particular, comparing each entry of the current dirt parameter matrix with a corresponding entry of precisely one of the stored dirt parameter matrices (which corresponds precisely to the dirt type). For each comparison of a single value in this comparison with a dirt parameter, a single comparison value is determined, which represents a measure of consistency. For this purpose, measurement systems applied in various ways can be designed. In particular, it can be provided that the measurement system is different for different dirt parameters of the dirt parameter matrix. The measurement system can also be different for the same dirt parameter in different dirt types, that is, for different dirt parameter matrices. In this way, a weighting of the dirt parameters that is particularly specific to the individual dirt types can be achieved.

[0031] Based on all individual comparison values, a comparison result is output for the current soiling parameter matrix compared to exactly one of the stored soiling parameter matrices. This comparison result specifically indicates whether the corresponding soiling type is present on the flushing item. For example, if the comparison result is identical material, a 100% agreement can be output. It should be noted that it is not absolutely necessary to have an individual comparison value for each soiling parameter in order to determine the comparison result. If only a few individual comparison values are present, this can be indicated, for example, by an error or confidence interval for the comparison result. To this end, the comparison unit determines the error or confidence interval and outputs it along with the comparison result.

[0032] Based on the comparison result, the determination unit determines which type of dirt is present on the items to be flushed. For example, the determination unit determines the comparison result of the comparison unit for each comparison performed, preferably for each of the stored dirt parameter matrices. The determination unit is configured, for example, to determine multiple dirt types. The determination of whether a dirt type is present on the items to be flushed can also be performed using various measurement systems.

[0033] For example, in the case of a determination of 100% consistency, the corresponding type of dirt is present on the flushing material.

[0034] According to a further embodiment of the domestic dishwasher, a learning unit is provided, which is configured to adapt at least one of the soiling parameter matrices stored in the database unit as a function of a value determined for at least one soiling parameter.

[0035] It can also be said that the learning unit is configured to optimize at least one stored soil parameter matrix. This can be achieved, for example, within the scope of a learning module in which the user specifically prescribes wash items soiled with a particular soil type. Alternatively, during the control operation of the dishwasher, the user can retrieve confirmation of a specific soil type. This type of regular retrieval allows for continuous improvement in the determination of soil types over time.

[0036] According to a further embodiment of the dishwasher, the sensor signal includes information about the rinsing liquid used for rinsing the soiled washware.

[0037] For example, a dishwasher may have a rinse liquid sensor that detects the turbidity of the rinse liquid during the rinse cycle. The turbidity of the rinse liquid can be included as a soil parameter in a soil parameter matrix for the corresponding soil type. This allows for further improvement in soil parameter determination.

[0038] In addition to the turbidity of the rinsing liquid, for example, the particle size of particles dissolved in the rinsing liquid, the conductivity of the rinsing liquid and / or the pH value of the rinsing liquid can be detected and output as sensor signals.

[0039] According to a further embodiment of the dishwasher, the sensor signal comprises information relating to food prepared and / or consumed by a user of the dishwasher within a certain time interval before the start of the rinse program.

[0040] For example, a dishwasher can be networked with a food processor, a stove, and / or an oven, or even with a digital cookbook and / or calendar used by the user. This networking can be achieved, for example, via WLAN or LAN or also by means of Bluetooth. The defined time intervals can be, for example, a few hours or a day.

[0041] According to a further embodiment of the dishwasher, the control device is provided for adapting the execution of the running rinse program.

[0042] The adaptation is preferably performed as a function of sensor signals received during execution, for example sensor signals received by a turbidity sensor.

[0043] According to a further embodiment of the domestic dishwasher, a camera is arranged on the dishwasher, wherein the camera is provided for detecting optical sensor signals of the wash load and for outputting the detected optical sensor signals to a receiving unit.

[0044] The camera is arranged in particular on the dishwasher in such a way that the camera detects the optical sensor of the wash load when the dishwasher is filled with the wash load.

[0045] According to a further embodiment of the domestic dishwasher, a statistics unit is provided, which is configured to determine a frequency distribution comprising the frequencies of occurrence of different soil types, wherein a determination unit is provided for determining the type of soil adhering to the soiled washware based on the frequency distribution.

[0046] The statistical unit determines a frequency distribution, in particular based on the determined dirt types and over a longer period of time. This means that the statistical unit stores, for example, each determined dirt type, preferably together with a corresponding timestamp for the determination time point. Thus, for each of the dirt types, a specific statistical probability of the occurrence of that dirt type is derived. The frequency distribution can be different for different users, depending on their preferences. From the frequency distribution, it is also possible, for example, to read out patterns of the temporal occurrence of a specific dirt type. An example of such a pattern is eating fish and potatoes on weekends, which results in a specific dirt type. Another example of such a pattern is drinking red wine, in particular with dinner. This frequency distribution can be advantageous when the same uncertainty is determined in the determination of two dirt types. For example, the dirt type that appears more frequently in the frequency distribution can be selected because the probability of occurrence of this dirt type is greater.

[0047] In one embodiment, a correlation unit can be provided, which can in particular also be a component of the statistics unit. The correlation unit is provided to provide and / or determine correlations between different soiling types based on the frequency distribution determined by the statistics unit.

[0048] For example, a correlation between ketchup and fat can be determined, since dishes containing fat (such as French fries or grilled meat) are preferably eaten with ketchup.

[0049] According to a further embodiment of the domestic dishwasher, a communication unit is provided, which is designed to communicate with an external unit, in particular with an external kitchen appliance, a mobile device and / or a server.

[0050] The server can be, for example, a server of a service provider and / or dishwasher supplier. On the one hand, the server can be retrieved to provide a soil parameter matrix for different soil types. In one embodiment, the communication unit can transmit received sensor signals to the server, which evaluates the sensor signals and reports the determined soil type back to the dishwasher.

[0051] According to a further embodiment of the domestic dishwasher, a user interface is provided for determining a user input as a function of the soiling type determined by the determination unit.

[0052] This is advantageous because, for example, the user can be questioned in the event of an uncertain identification. The user interface can be implemented in particular by an application, which is installed on the user's mobile device.

[0053] The corresponding units, such as the database unit, the comparison unit, the determination unit, the image processing unit, the generation unit, the learning unit, the statistics unit, and / or the correlation unit, can be implemented in hardware and / or software. In a hardware implementation, the corresponding units can be designed, for example, as a computer or a microprocessor. In a software implementation, the corresponding units can be designed as a computer program product, as a function, as a routine, as part of a program code, or as an executable object.

[0054] According to a second aspect, a device is provided comprising a dishwasher, in particular a household dishwasher, and a computing unit, wherein the dishwasher and the computing unit are configured for data communication with each other. The dishwasher includes a control device for executing a rinse program for rinsing soiled laundry. The computing unit includes a receiving unit for receiving a sensor signal indicating a type of soil adhering to the soiled laundry from a plurality of soil types, wherein each of the soil types is determined by a soil parameter matrix in which a soil parameter is assigned to each position. A determination unit is provided, which is configured to determine the type of soil adhering to the soiled laundry based on the received sensor signal. The control device is configured to execute the rinse program based on the determined soil type.

[0055] The calculation unit in particular receives sensor signals from the dishwasher.Alternatively, the calculation unit can receive sensor signals from an external device of the dishwasher, such as a mobile device of a user of the domestic dishwasher.

[0056] The data communication between the dishwasher and the computing unit is realized in particular via the Internet, wherein the communication connection is established, for example, by means of WLAN, radio waves, VPN, etc. The computing unit preferably comprises a server. The computing unit can also be designed as an entity of an application on the server.

[0057] Advantageously, the computing unit can have a very high computing power and can therefore determine the type of contamination from the sensor signal using complex algorithms within a short time.

[0058] The embodiments and features described in accordance with the first aspect of the proposed dishwasher apply to the proposed device of the corresponding dishwasher and the computing unit. In particular, various units, such as a determination unit, an image processing unit, a database unit, a generation unit, a comparison unit, a learning unit, a statistics unit, etc., can be designed as part of the computing unit.

[0059] The computing unit transmits, for example, the determined type of soiling to the control device, whereby the control device executes a flushing program depending on the determined type of soiling.

[0060] According to a third aspect, a method for operating a dishwasher, in particular a domestic dishwasher, is provided, which has a control device for executing a rinse program for rinsing soiled laundry. In a first step, a sensor signal is received that indicates a type of dirt from a plurality of dirt types adhering to the soiled laundry, wherein each of the dirt types is determined by a dirt parameter matrix in which a dirt parameter is assigned to each position. In a second step, the type of dirt adhering to the soiled laundry is determined based on the sensor signal. In a third step, a rinse program is executed based on the determined dirt type.

[0061] The method is preferably performed with a dishwasher according to the first aspect. The method can accordingly also be performed with an apparatus according to the second aspect comprising a dishwasher and a computing unit.

[0062] The embodiments and features described for the proposed dishwasher apply to the corresponding proposed method.

[0063] According to a fourth aspect, a computer program product is proposed, which comprises instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the method according to the third aspect to be performed.

[0064] A computer program product, such as a computer program component, can be provided or delivered, for example, as a storage medium, such as a memory card, USB stick, CD-ROM, DVD, or also in the form of data that can be downloaded from a server in a network. This can be achieved, for example, by transmitting the corresponding data via the computer program product or computer program component in a wireless communication network.

[0065] Other possible embodiments of the present invention also include combinations not explicitly mentioned of features or embodiments described above or below with respect to the embodiments. Here, those skilled in the art also add individual aspects as improvements or supplements to the corresponding basic forms of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0066] Further advantageous embodiments and aspects of the present invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims and the exemplary embodiments of the present invention described below.

[0067] Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a dishwasher;

[0068] Figure 2 A general example of a dirt parameter matrix is shown;

[0069] Figure 3 A specific example of a dirt parameter matrix is shown;

[0070] Figure 4 A schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a dishwasher is shown;

[0071] Figure 5 shows a schematic block diagram of an exemplary apparatus having a dishwasher and a computing unit;

[0072] Figure 6 A schematic block diagram shows an exemplary embodiment of a method for operating a dishwasher.

[0073] In the figures, identical or functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference symbols unless otherwise indicated. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0074] Figure 1 A schematic perspective view shows an embodiment of a dishwasher 1, which is designed here as a domestic dishwasher. The domestic dishwasher 1 includes a rinse container 2, which can be closed, in particular watertightly, by a door 3. To this end, a seal can be provided between the door 3 and the rinse container 2. The rinse container 2 is preferably cuboid in shape. The rinse container 2 can be arranged in the housing of the domestic dishwasher 1. The rinse container 2 and the door 3 can form a rinse chamber 4 for rinsing items 30.

[0075] exist Figure 1The door 3 is shown in its open position. The door 3 can be closed or opened by pivoting about a pivot axis 5 provided at the lower end of the door 3. The door 3 can be used to close or open the filling opening 6 of the rinsing container 2. The rinsing container 2 has a bottom 7, a top 8 arranged opposite the bottom 7, a rear wall 9 arranged opposite the closed door 3, and two side walls 10 and 11 arranged opposite each other. The bottom 7, top 8, rear wall 9, and side walls 10 and 11 can be made, for example, of stainless steel. Alternatively, the bottom 7 can be made, for example, of a plastic material.

[0076] The domestic dishwasher 1 further comprises at least one rinse product container 12 to 14. Preferably, a plurality of, for example three, rinse product containers 12 to 14 can be provided, wherein the rinse product container 12 can be a bottom rinse product container or a bottom basket, the rinse product container 13 can be an upper rinse product container or an upper basket, and the rinse product container 14 can be a cutlery drawer. Figure 1 As further shown, the rinse product receptacles 12 to 14 are arranged one above the other in the rinsing container 2. Each rinse product receptacle 12 to 14 can be selectively moved into or out of the rinsing container 2. In particular, each rinse product receptacle 12 to 14 can be pushed into or into the rinsing container 2 along an insertion direction E and can be pulled out or out of the rinsing container 2 along a withdrawal direction A opposite to the insertion direction E.

[0077] A control device 15 for executing a flushing program for flushing the soiled items 30 is also arranged at the door 3. In this example, the control device 15 comprises a receiving unit 16 for receiving a sensor signal indicating a soil type SA, SB, SC from among a plurality of soil types SA, SB, SC adhering to the soiled items 30 (see FIG. Figure 4 Each of the dirt types SA, SB, SC is represented by a dirt parameter matrix MXA, MXB, MXC (see Figure 3 ) to determine. Dirt is, for example, grease SA, leftover rice SB and dark sauce SC. The control device 15 also has a measuring unit 20 (see Figure 4 ), the measuring unit is configured to measure the type of dirt SA, SB, SC attached to the soiled rinse material 30 based on the received sensor signal. The control device 15 implements a rinsing program based on the measured dirt type SA, SB, SC to obtain an improved cleaning result.

[0078] Figure 2 A general example of a dirt parameter matrix SMX is shown. The general form shown of the dirt parameter matrix SMX has a plurality of n×m entries, where n is the number of rows and m is the number of columns. Each of the entries a_11, a_12, ..., a_1m, a_21, ..., a_n1, ..., a_nm represents a dirt parameter.

[0079] The soiling parameters a_11-a_nm can be divided into different categories or registers, for example. An example of such a division is shown in Table 1 below. The example of soiling parameters a_11-a_nm shown in Table 1 is based on an optical sensor signal, which includes soiled flushing material 30 (see Figure 1 ). The image information is received by the receiving unit 16 in particular as a digital image, which comprises a plurality of pixels. The pixels showing dirt are Figure 1 These are called dirty pixels.

[0080] Table 1:

[0081]

[0082]

[0083] It should be noted that the categories and specific examples in Table 1 are to be understood as illustrative only and not exhaustive.

[0084] For each soiling parameter a_11-a_nm, for example, a determination specification can be predefined, which specifies how the corresponding soiling parameter a_11-a_nm is to be determined starting from a digital image of the processed material 30. The different soiling parameters a_11-a_nm can be completely independent of one another, such as the "average distance of a soiled pixel from the center of the processed material" and the "average value of the green values of all soiled pixels," or they can have interdependent relationships, such as the "average value of the green values of all soiled pixels" and the "standard deviation of the average value of the green values."

[0085] For specific soiling types, different soiling parameters a_11-a_nm have characteristic values, that is, values within a specific range that can be determined empirically, for example. For example, rice grains have specific sizes (e.g., 1-10 mm) and shapes (e.g., oval), with these values depending, for example, on the viewing angle and the type of rice. Pasta has an elongated, continuously curved structure. For each soiling type, specific characteristics can be used, so that a plurality of soiling parameters a_11-a_nm form a soiling parameter matrix SMX, making it possible to distinguish specific characteristics, that is, to identify the soiling type based on the values of the soiling parameters a_11-a_nm.

[0086] Figure 3 Three soil types SA, SB, SC are shown (see Figure 1), wherein the dirt parameter matrices MXA, MXB, MXC only include four dirt parameters for the sake of clarity. Also shown is an example of the current dirt parameter matrix MXi for the determination.

[0087] Soil types SA, SB, SC are, for example, dark sauce SA, mayonnaise SB and chocolate sauce SC. The sensor signal is soiled wash material 30 (see Figure 1 ) digital image. Dirt parameters a_11-a_nm (see Figure 2 ) has the significance, for example, of the spatial distribution of the dirt pixels on the rinsed material, the average brightness of the dirt pixels, the homogeneity of the surface formed by the dirt pixels and the number of dirty pixels whose brightness lies below a threshold value normalized to the total value of the dirt pixels.

[0088] The soil parameter matrices MXA, MXB, and MXC are, for example, characteristic for the respective soil types SA, SB, and SC. For each of the defined soil parameters a_11-a_nm, they include a value range, determined, for example, through empirical measurements. In such measurements, the soil parameter matrix MXA is determined, for example, based on sensor signals of a wash load 30 soiled only with soil type SA. These measurements are preferably performed by the manufacturer of the dishwasher 1 and provide the soil parameter matrices MXA, MXB, and MXC.

[0089] During operation of the dishwasher 1, sensor signals of soiled laundry 30 are detected. In particular, a photograph of the laundry 30 is received and transmitted to the receiving unit 16. By determining the value of each dirt parameter a_11-a_nm based on the sensor signals, a current dirt parameter matrix MXi is determined based on the sensor signals.

[0090] By comparing the current soiling parameter matrix MXi with the soiling parameter matrices MXA, MXB, MXC, it is possible to determine in particular which soiling types SA, SB, SC are present on the flushing material 30. This comparison is carried out in particular by the comparison unit 24 (see Figure 4 For this purpose, for example, a probability is determined for each of the soiling types SA, SB, SC.

[0091] A comparison of the current dirt parameter matrix MXi with the dirt parameter matrix MXA shows, for example, that all values of the current dirt parameter matrix MXi lie within the corresponding value range of the dirt parameter matrix MXA. This results in a very high probability that dirt type SA is present on the flushing item 30.

[0092] A comparison with the other soiling parameter types MXB, MXC shows a deviation in at least one soiling parameter a_11-a_nm. The probability that soiling type SB is present on the flushing material 30 is very low, since all parameter values lie outside the corresponding value range of the soiling parameter matrix MXB. The probability that soiling type SC is present on the flushing material 30 is medium, since two parameter values lie outside the corresponding value range of the soiling parameter matrix MXC.

[0093] The result of this comparison can be interpreted in different ways. A first interpretation can be that only soil type SA is present on the flushing material 30. A second interpretation can be that soil type SA and a small amount of soil type SB are present on the flushing material. The interpretation of the comparison result is in particular determined by the determination unit 20 (see Figure 4 )implement.

[0094] Figure 4 A schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a dishwasher 1 is shown. Figure 1 The household dishwasher 1 includes a control device 15, a receiving unit 16, a camera 17, a user interface 18, a measuring unit 20 (the measuring unit has an image processing unit 21, a generating unit 23 and a comparing unit 24 as components), a database unit 22, a learning unit 25, a statistical unit 26 and a communication unit 27.

[0095] The receiving unit 16 is provided for receiving soiled flushing material 30 (see Figure 1 ). The sensor signal can be provided by the camera 17 in the form of an image or photo of the flushing item 30. Alternatively or additionally, the sensor signal can be received by an external unit 50, such as a mobile device of the user. The sensor signal can also be received by the communication unit 27 and provided to the receiving unit 16. The receiving unit 16 transmits the received sensor signal to the measuring unit 20. The measuring unit 20 is configured to measure the types of dirt SA, SB, SC attached to the flushing item 30 (see Figure 1 ).

[0096] In the example, the sensor signal comprises an image of the rinse product 30. The received sensor signal is processed by means of the image processing unit 21. In particular, a value is determined for each soiling parameter a_11-a_nm. The generation unit 23 generates the current soiling parameter matrix MXi (see Figure 3 The comparison unit 24 compares the current dirt parameter matrix MXi with the stored dirt parameter matrices MXA, MXB, MXC (see Figure 3), the comparison unit retrieves these stored soil parameter matrices from the database unit 22. Preferably, the current soil parameter matrix MXi is compared with each of the stored soil parameter matrices MXA, MXB, MXC. For example, the probability that the soil types SA, SB, and SC represented by the corresponding stored soil parameter matrices MXA, MXB, and MXC are present on the flushing material 30 is determined as a comparison result. Based on the comparison results, the determination unit 20 determines which soil types SA, SB, and SC are present on the flushing material 30 and outputs these results to the control device 15. The control device 15 then executes a flushing program that is specifically adapted to the existing soil types SA, SB, and SC.

[0097] The user interface 18 can be used to inform the user of the domestic dishwasher 1 about known soil types SA, SB, SC and / or to request the user to confirm known soil types SA, SB, SC. This feedback can advantageously be used by the user via the learning unit 25 to adapt the soil parameter matrices SA, SB, SC stored in the database unit 22, thereby improving the determination of the soil parameters SA, SB, SC in the future.

[0098] The statistics unit 26 is configured to determine a frequency distribution based on the determined soil types SA, SB, SC, which includes the statistical probability of the occurrence of a specific soil type SA, SB, SC for future determinations. In particular, correlations between different soil types SA, SB, SC and correlations between the time of occurrence and the soil type SA, SB, SC can be determined, which allows for future improvements in the determination of the soil types SA, SB, SC.

[0099] The communication unit 27 is particularly designed for communication with other household appliances of the user, such as a kitchen appliance, a grill and / or a refrigerator, or with applications such as the user's digital recipe or calendar. Additional information about the expected soiling type SA, SB, SC can be received and evaluated by external devices in order to improve the determination of the soiling type SA, SB, SC.

[0100] Figure 5 A dishwasher 1 is shown, for example Figure 1 Schematic block diagram of an exemplary arrangement of a household dishwasher 1 and a computing unit 100 in FIG. The dishwasher 1 and the computing unit 100 are configured to communicate with each other by means of a communication connection DATA. The computing unit 100 is designed as a server, for example, and can be contacted via the Internet. The dishwasher 1 therefore comprises a network interface, such as a WLAN module, so that the dishwasher can establish a communication connection with the server 100 via the Internet access of the user. In such an arrangement, the dishwasher 1 can have a relatively simple construction. In particular, the dishwasher has a control device 15 (see FIG. Figure 1or 4) can be sufficient. Receiving unit 16 (see Figure 4 ) and the measuring unit 20 (see Figure 4 ) is included in particular by the server 100. Further optical units, such as the image processing unit 21 (see Figure 4 ), generating unit 23 (see Figure 4 ), comparison unit 24 (see Figure 4 ), database unit 22 (see Figure 4 ), Learning Unit 25 (see Figure 4 ) and / or statistical unit 26 (see Figure 4 ) is preferably also included by the server 100 and can also be included by the dishwasher 1.

[0101] This device has the advantage in particular that it can be used to determine the soil types SA, SB, SC (see Figure 1 ) provides high computing power of the server 100, which shortens the measurement duration.

[0102] Figure 6 A method for operating a dishwasher 1 is shown, in particular Figure 1 or 4 in a household dishwasher 1 and Figure 5 Schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a method for a dishwasher 1 in an apparatus having a computing unit 100. The dishwasher 1 comprises a method for performing a rinse cycle for rinsing soiled items 30 (see Figure 1 ) of the flushing program control device 15 (see Figure 1 or 4). In a first step S1, a data entry indicating the type of dirt SA, SB, SC attached to the soiled flushing material 30 among a plurality of dirt types SA, SB, SC is received (see Figure 1 In a second step S2, the type of dirt SA, SB, SC attached to the soiled article to be flushed 30 is determined based on the sensor signal. In a third step S3, a flushing program is performed based on the determined type of dirt SA, SB, SC.

[0103] Although the present invention has been described based on the embodiments, the present invention can be variously modified.

[0104] List of reference numerals:

[0105] 1. Household dishwasher

[0106] 2. Rinse the container

[0107] 3 doors

[0108] 4. Flushing room

[0109] 5 Pivot axis

[0110] 6. Opening for loading

[0111] 7 Bottom

[0112] 8 Top

[0113] 9 Posterior wall

[0114] 10 Sidewall

[0115] 11 Sidewall

[0116] 12. Flushing material storage area

[0117] 13. Flushing material storage area

[0118] 14. Flushing material storage area

[0119] 15 Control device

[0120] 16 receiving unit

[0121] 17 Camera

[0122] 18 User Interface

[0123] 20 measurement units

[0124] 21 Image processing unit

[0125] 22 Database Unit

[0126] 23 Generation Unit

[0127] 24 comparison units

[0128] 25 study units

[0129] 26 Statistics Unit

[0130] 27 Communication Unit

[0131] 30 flushing

[0132] 50 external units

[0133] 100 computing units

[0134] a_11 Dirt parameters

[0135] a_12 Dirt parameters

[0136] a_1m dirt parameters

[0137] a_21 Dirt parameters

[0138] a_n1 dirt parameter

[0139] a_nm dirt parameter

[0140] A Extraction direction

[0141] DATA communication connection

[0142] E Insertion direction

[0143] MXA MATRIX

[0144] MXB Matrix

[0145] MXC Matrix

[0146] MXi Matrix

[0147] S1 Method Steps

[0148] S2 Method Steps

[0149] S3 Method Steps

[0150] SA Soil Type

[0151] SB Dirt Type

[0152] SC Dirt Type

[0153] SMX matrix.

Claims

1. A dishwasher (1), comprising a control device (15) for executing a rinsing program for rinsing soiled laundry (30), and a receiving unit (16) for receiving a sensor signal, wherein the sensor signal indicates a type of dirt (SA, SB, SC) attached to the soiled laundry (30) from among a plurality of types of dirt (SA, SB, SC), wherein: Each soil type (SA, SB, SC) is determined from a soil parameter matrix, in which each position is assigned a soil parameter, wherein a measuring unit (20) is provided, which is configured to measure the soil type (SA, SB, SC) attached to the soiled flushing material (30) based on the received sensor signal, and wherein the control device (15) is configured to execute the flushing program based on the measured soil type (SA, SB, SC), wherein the sensor signal includes image information of the soiled flushing material (30), and wherein the measuring unit (20) includes an image processing unit (21) which is configured to determine the value of at least one of the soil parameters included in the soil parameter matrix based on the image information, wherein a database unit (22), a generation unit (23) and a A comparison unit (24), wherein the database unit (22) is configured to store the dirt parameter matrix for each of the plurality of dirt types (SA, SB, SC), wherein the corresponding dirt parameter matrix for each of the dirt parameters comprises predetermined values or value ranges, wherein the generation unit (23) is configured to generate a current dirt parameter matrix based on a determined value of at least one dirt parameter, wherein the comparison unit (24) is configured to compare the generated current dirt parameter matrix with at least a subset of the dirt parameter matrices stored in the database unit (22), and wherein the comparison unit is configured to output a comparison result, and wherein the determination unit (20) is configured to determine the dirt type (SA, SB, SC) attached to the soiled flushing material (30) based on the comparison result.

2. The dishwasher according to claim 1, characterized in that The dishwasher is a household dishwasher.

3. The dishwasher according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that A learning unit (25) is provided, which is configured to adapt at least one of the dirt parameter matrices stored in the database unit (22) as a function of a determined value of at least one dirt parameter.

4. The dishwasher according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The sensor signal includes information about a rinsing fluid which is used to rinse the soiled item to be rinsed (30).

5. The dishwasher according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The sensor signal includes information relating to food that was prepared and / or consumed by a user of the dishwasher (1) within a certain time interval before the start of the rinse program.

6. The dishwasher according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The control device (15) is configured to adapt the execution of a running flushing program.

7. The dishwasher according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that A camera (17) is provided on the dishwasher (1), wherein the camera (17) is configured to detect optical sensor signals of the rinse items (30) and to output the detected optical sensor signals to the receiving unit (16).

8. The dishwasher according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that A statistical unit (26) is provided, which is configured to determine a frequency distribution comprising the frequencies of occurrence of different soil types (SA, SB, SC), wherein the determination unit (20) is configured to determine the soil type (SA, SB, SC) adhering to the soiled rinse material based on the frequency distribution.

9. The dishwasher according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that A communication unit (27) is provided, which is configured to communicate with an external unit (50).

10. The dishwasher according to claim 9, characterized in that The external unit (50) is an external kitchen appliance, a mobile device and / or a server.

11. The dishwasher according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The user interface (18) is configured to detect a user input as a function of the soiling type (SA, SB, SC) determined by the determination unit (20).

12. An apparatus comprising a dishwasher (1) and a computing unit (100), the dishwasher (1) being designed as a dishwasher (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The dishwasher (1) and the computing unit (100) are configured to communicate data with each other, wherein the dishwasher has a control device (15) for executing a rinsing program for rinsing soiled laundry (30), and the computing unit (100) has a receiving unit (16) for receiving a sensor signal, wherein the sensor signal indicates a dirt type (SA, SB, SC) attached to the soiled laundry (30) from a plurality of dirt types (SA, SB, SC), wherein each dirt type (SA, SB, SC) is determined by a dirt parameter matrix in which each position is assigned a dirt parameter, wherein a measuring unit (20) is provided, which is configured to determine the dirt type (SA, SB, SC) attached to the soiled laundry (30) based on the received sensor signal, and wherein the control device (15) is configured to execute the rinsing program based on the determined dirt type (SA, SB, SC).

13. A method for operating a dishwasher (1), the dishwasher (1) being designed as a dishwasher (1) according to claim 1 or 2, the dishwasher having a control device (15) for executing a rinsing program for rinsing soiled items to be rinsed (30), the method comprising: receiving a sensor signal indicating a soiling type (SA, SB, SC) from a plurality of soiling types (SA, SB, SC) adhering to the soiled flushing item (30), wherein each soiling type (SA, SB, SC) is determined from a soiling parameter matrix in which a soiling parameter is assigned to each position, Determining the type of dirt (SA, SB, SC) attached to the soiled flushing item (30) based on the sensor signal, and The flushing program is performed according to the determined soil type (SA, SB, SC).

14. A computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the method according to claim 13.

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