A washing machine

Abstract

Embodiments of the present application disclose a washing machine. The washing machine comprises a housing, and a washing tub, a detergent storage box, a detergent dispensing pump, a clothes recognition device and a controller arranged in the housing; the detergent dispensing pump is used for dispensing the detergent in the detergent storage box into the washing tub; the clothes recognition device is used for recognizing clothes contained in the washing tub to obtain clothes information; the controller is used for: acquiring a to-be-recognized image containing attribute information of to-be-dispensed detergent; performing text recognition on the to-be-recognized image, and extracting the attribute information of the to-be-dispensed detergent from text information obtained through the text recognition; acquiring the clothes information, and calculating a to-be-dispensed amount of the detergent according to the attribute information of the to-be-dispensed detergent and the clothes information; and controlling the detergent dispensing pump to dispense the matched detergent into the washing tub. The present application can realize the acquisition of the attribute information of the detergent and the accurate dispensing of the detergent, and improve the washing effect of the washing machine.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of washing machine technology, specifically to a washing machine capable of automatically dispensing detergent by recognizing the property information of the detergent. Background Technology

[0002] With the development of automation technology, washing machines have become increasingly intelligent. For example, they can automatically dispense detergent and adjust washing parameters based on the amount of laundry inside. Detergent plays a crucial role in the washing process. The market offers a wide variety of detergents, with more types targeting different functions. Different types and functions of detergents require different dosages. Therefore, washing machines need to acquire information about the type and function of the detergent to determine the appropriate dosage.

[0003] Currently, washing machines rely on a limited number of methods to obtain detergent attribute information. Meanwhile, the rapid updates and iterations of detergent types on the market make it difficult to accurately obtain detergent attribute information, thus reducing the accuracy of detergent dispensing. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the aforementioned technical problems, embodiments of this application provide a washing machine.

[0005] A washing machine according to a first embodiment of this application includes: a housing, a washing tub, a detergent storage box, a detergent dispensing pump, a garment identification device, and a controller disposed within the housing; wherein the detergent dispensing pump is configured to dispense detergent from the detergent storage box into the washing tub; the garment identification device is configured to identify garments contained in the washing tub to obtain garment information; and the controller is configured to perform the following steps: acquiring a target image containing attribute information of the detergent to be dispensed; performing text recognition on the target image and extracting the attribute information of the detergent to be dispensed from the text information obtained by the text recognition; acquiring garment information in the washing tub and calculating the amount of detergent to be dispensed based on the attribute information of the detergent to be dispensed and the garment information in the washing tub; and controlling the detergent dispensing pump to dispense detergent into the washing tub in an amount matching the amount of detergent to be dispensed.

[0006] In the washing machine provided in the first embodiment of this application, the attribute information of the detergent to be added is obtained by extracting the text information on the image to be identified, thereby realizing the acquisition of the attribute information of the detergent to be added. Then, the information of the clothes in the washing tub of the washing machine is acquired. Based on the attribute information of the detergent to be added and the information of the clothes in the washing tub, the amount of detergent to be added is calculated, and the detergent dispensing pump of the washing machine is controlled to dispense detergent into the washing tub in a manner that matches the amount of detergent to be added. In this way, not only is the automatic acquisition of detergent attribute information realized, improving the accuracy of detergent attribute information, eliminating the need for users to manually input detergent attribute information and improving user experience, but also the precise dispensing of detergent is achieved, improving the washing effect of the washing machine.

[0007] According to the washing machine provided in the second embodiment of this application, the controller is further configured to perform the following steps: before performing text recognition on the image to be recognized, obtain the identification information of the detergent to be added; search the database for attribute information that matches the identification information of the detergent to be added; wherein, the database stores identification information and attribute information corresponding to different detergents; if no attribute information matching the identification information of the detergent to be added is found, then perform text recognition on the image to be recognized.

[0008] In the second embodiment of this application, before performing text recognition on the image to be recognized, the identification information of the detergent to be added is obtained, and attribute information matching the identification information is searched from the database on the server side. Therefore, the attribute information of the detergent to be added can be obtained directly from the database, which improves the speed of obtaining the attribute information of the detergent to be added, reduces the amount of computation for text recognition on the image on the server side, and reduces the server load. If no attribute information matching the identification information is found in the database, then text recognition is performed on the image to be recognized to obtain the attribute information of the detergent to be added, so as to achieve accurate addition of the detergent to be added and improve the washing quality.

[0009] According to the washing machine provided in the third embodiment of this application, the controller is further configured to perform the following steps: after extracting the attribute information of the detergent to be added from the text information obtained by the text recognition, the extracted attribute information of the detergent is stored in the database.

[0010] In the third embodiment of this application, if there is no attribute information matching the identification information of the detergent to be dispensed in the database on the server side, after performing text recognition on the image to be identified containing the attribute information of the detergent to be dispensed to obtain the attribute information of the detergent to be dispensed, the attribute information of the detergent to be dispensed is stored in the database. This not only realizes the updating of the attribute information of the detergent in the database on the server side, but also makes it convenient for users to quickly find the matching attribute information when using the same detergent with the same identification information of the detergent to be dispensed next time.

[0011] According to the washing machine provided in the fourth embodiment of this application, the controller is further configured to perform the following steps: during the process of storing the extracted attribute information of the detergent to be added in the database, a designated area of ​​the image to be identified is detected to determine whether the designated area contains a graphic code, the graphic code including at least one of barcode and QR code; if the designated area contains a graphic code, the identification information of the detergent to be added is extracted according to the graphic code; the extracted identification information and the attribute information of the detergent to be added are associated and stored in the database.

[0012] In the fourth embodiment of this application, during the process of storing the extracted attribute information of the detergent to be added into the database on the server side, a designated area of ​​the image to be identified is detected to determine whether the designated area contains a graphic code, and the identification information of the detergent to be added is extracted from the graphic code. The identification information and attribute information of the detergent to be added are then associated and stored in the database on the server side. This not only updates the database on the server side, but also improves the standardization of the database storage of detergent attribute information. When a detergent with the same identifier as the detergent to be added is identified, the corresponding attribute information can be quickly matched, reducing the processing steps on the server side. Furthermore, since the graphic code is usually set in a designated area, scanning the designated area to obtain the graphic code can reduce the scanning time and improve the speed of graphic code acquisition.

[0013] According to the fifth embodiment of this application, the controller in the washing machine is further configured to perform the following steps: if attribute information matching the identification code of the detergent to be added is found, the amount of detergent to be added is calculated based on the found attribute information and the information of the clothes in the washing tub. In the fifth embodiment of this application, when attribute information matching the identification code of the detergent to be added is found, the amount of detergent to be added is calculated based on the attribute information and the information of the clothes in the washing tub. By combining the information of the clothes to calculate the amount of detergent to be added, accurate detergent dispensing is achieved while improving the user experience.

[0014] The washing machine provided according to the sixth embodiment of this application further includes: an image acquisition device configured to acquire images; the controller is further configured to perform the following steps: in the process of acquiring an image to be identified containing attribute information of detergent to be added, the image acquisition device acquires the image to be identified.

[0015] The washing machine provided in the sixth embodiment of this application is further equipped with an image acquisition device configured to acquire images. During the process of acquiring a target image containing attribute information of the detergent to be added, the target image is acquired through the image acquisition device. Therefore, the image can be directly acquired through the image acquisition device installed in the washing machine, saving the process of acquiring a target image containing attribute information of the detergent to be added and improving the user experience.

[0016] In the washing machine provided according to the seventh embodiment of this application, the controller is further configured to perform the following steps: in the process of extracting the attribute information of the detergent to be added from the text information obtained from character recognition, performing semantic analysis on the text information, and determining the attribute information of the detergent to be added based on the semantic analysis result; wherein, the attribute information of the detergent to be added includes at least one of the brand, efficacy, scope of use and recommended dosage of the detergent to be added.

[0017] In the seventh embodiment of this application, during the process of extracting the attribute information of the detergent to be dispensed from the text information obtained from character recognition, semantic analysis is performed on the text information, and the attribute information of the detergent to be dispensed is determined based on the semantic analysis results. The attribute information of the detergent to be dispensed includes at least one of the brand, efficacy, scope of use, and recommended dosage of the detergent to be dispensed. On the one hand, this makes the attribute information of the detergent to be dispensed obtained from the image to be recognized more comprehensive, accurate, and effective. On the other hand, it ensures accurate dispensing of the detergent and improves the user experience.

[0018] According to the washing machine provided in the eighth embodiment of this application, the washing machine further includes: an environmental detection device configured to detect environmental information; the controller is further configured to perform the following steps: in the process of calculating the amount of detergent to be added based on the attribute information of the detergent to be added and the information of the clothes in the washing tub, obtaining current environmental information; the current environmental information includes at least one of water quality information, current environmental temperature information and current environmental humidity information; and calculating the amount of detergent to be added based on the current environmental information, the attribute information of the detergent to be added and the information of the clothes in the washing tub.

[0019] In the eighth embodiment provided in this application, an environmental detection device is configured in the washing machine to detect environmental information; the controller is also configured to perform the following steps: during the process of calculating the amount of detergent to be added based on the attribute information of the detergent to be added and the information of the clothes in the washing tub, the current environmental information is obtained; the current environmental information includes at least one of water quality information, current environmental temperature information, and current environmental humidity information; the amount of detergent to be added is calculated based on the current environmental information, the attribute information of the detergent to be added, and the information of the clothes in the washing tub. By combining environmental factors to calculate the amount of detergent to be added, the precise addition of detergent is achieved, and the amount of detergent added is adjusted according to changes in the environment, avoiding the situation where too much or too little detergent causes the clothes to be not washed clean.

[0020] According to the washing machine provided in the ninth embodiment of this application, the controller is further configured to perform the following steps: determining washing parameters based on the attribute information of the detergent to be added and the information of the clothes in the washing tub; the washing parameters include at least one of washing duration, rinsing times, and washing temperature; and controlling the washing machine to perform washing based on the determined washing parameters. In the ninth embodiment of this application, the controller is further configured to perform the following steps: determining washing parameters based on the attribute information of the detergent to be added and the information of the clothes in the washing tub; wherein the washing parameters include at least one of washing duration, rinsing times, and washing temperature; and controlling the washing machine to perform washing based on the determined washing parameters. By determining the washing parameters of the washing machine through the attribute information of the detergent to be added and the information of the clothes in the washing tub, and controlling the washing machine to wash the clothes in the washing tub according to the determined washing parameters, precise control of the washing machine's washing function is achieved, improving the washing effect of the clothes.

[0021] According to the tenth embodiment of the washing machine provided in this application, the clothing identification device includes: a gravity sensor configured to collect the weight of the clothes in the washing tub; a clothing material identification device configured to collect the material information of the clothes in the washing tub; the controller is further configured to perform the following steps: during the process of acquiring the clothing information in the washing tub, acquiring the weight information of the clothes in the washing tub through the gravity sensor, and acquiring the material information of the clothes in the washing tub through the clothing material identification device; calculating the amount of detergent to be added based on the weight of the clothes in the washing tub, the material information of the clothes in the washing tub, and the attribute information of the target detergent.

[0022] In the tenth embodiment provided in this application, the weight and material information of the clothes in the washing tub are obtained by the gravity sensor and the clothes material recognition device installed in the washing machine clothes recognition device. Based on the weight of the clothes, the clothes material information and the attribute information of the target detergent, the amount of target detergent to be added is determined, thereby achieving accurate addition of detergent and avoiding the problem of incomplete washing caused by too much or too little detergent.

[0023] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and do not limit this application. Attached Figure Description

[0024] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with this application and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of this application. It is obvious that the drawings described below are merely some embodiments of this application, and those skilled in the art can obtain other drawings based on these drawings without any inventive effort. In the drawings:

[0025] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a washing machine shown in an exemplary embodiment of this application;

[0026] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a washing machine shown in an exemplary embodiment of this application;

[0027] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a washing machine shown in an exemplary embodiment of this application;

[0028] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a washing machine shown in an exemplary embodiment of this application;

[0029] Figure 5 This is a simplified flowchart illustrating the control method executed by a controller configured in a washing machine in an exemplary application scenario. Detailed Implementation

[0030] Exemplary embodiments will now be described in detail, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. When the following description relates to the drawings, unless otherwise indicated, the same numbers in different drawings denote the same or similar elements. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments consistent with this application. Rather, they are merely examples of apparatuses and methods consistent with some aspects of this application as detailed in the appended claims.

[0031] The block diagrams shown in the accompanying drawings are merely functional entities and do not necessarily correspond to physically independent entities. That is, these functional entities can be implemented in software, in one or more hardware modules or integrated circuits, or in different network and / or processor devices and / or microcontroller devices.

[0032] The flowcharts shown in the accompanying drawings are merely illustrative and do not necessarily include all content and operations / steps, nor do they necessarily have to be performed in the described order. For example, some operations / steps can be broken down, while others can be combined or partially combined; therefore, the actual execution order may change depending on the specific circumstances.

[0033] In this application, "multiple" refers to two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A alone, A and B simultaneously, or B alone. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship.

[0034] Currently, with the improvement of people's consumption level and the rapid development of consumer electronics, electronic products have seen significant improvements in both appearance and performance compared to the past. Home appliances are developing towards intelligence and high-end products. Fully automatic washing machines are gradually replacing semi-automatic washing machines. Common fully automatic washing machines on the market include top-loading and front-loading washing machines. However, regardless of whether it is a top-loading or front-loading washing machine, the detergent is flushed into the inner drum with water during the washing process. However, due to the wide variety of detergents on the market and the rapid pace of product updates, washing machines cannot accurately measure the amount of detergent to be added, nor can they accurately add detergent based on the properties of the detergent to be added. This easily leads to problems such as adding too little detergent, resulting in unclean clothes, or adding too much detergent, resulting in unclean clothes. Currently, the method of obtaining detergent property information is relatively simple. It mainly involves scanning the graphic code of the detergent and querying the corresponding detergent property information from a pre-set server database. When the property information of the detergent is not found in the database, the user needs to manually enter the property information, which affects the user experience.

[0035] To address this technical problem, embodiments of this application propose a washing machine capable of automatically dispensing detergent by recognizing its properties, thereby achieving precise detergent dispensing and making the laundry process more intelligent. Furthermore, the washing machine can be any common product form, such as a top-loading or front-loading washing machine; this application does not impose any limitations on the specific product form of the washing machine.

[0036] Please see Figure 1 , Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a washing machine according to an exemplary embodiment. The washing machine includes at least a housing, and a washing tub 11, a detergent storage box 15, a detergent dispensing pump 13, a clothing recognition device 12, and a controller 14 disposed within the housing. The housing refers to the casing of the washing machine.

[0037] The washing tub 11 is used to hold clothes, and it rotates under the drive of a motor to perform functions such as washing and spin-drying. For example, the washing tub of the washing machine rotates under the drive of the motor, causing the clothes inside to tumble continuously, thus simulating the hand-washing process. When the washing tub rotates at high speed under the drive of the motor, the water absorbed by the clothes is separated from the clothes under the action of centrifugal force, thereby achieving spin-drying.

[0038] Furthermore, the detergent dispensing pump 13 is connected to the washing tub 11 of the washing machine to dispense detergent into the tub, thereby mixing the detergent with water to wash the clothes. Exemplarily, in some feasible embodiments, the detergent dispensing pump 13 is connected to the washing tub 11 via a water tank and an inlet pipe. The water tank is connected to one end of the inlet pipe, and the other end of the inlet pipe is connected to the washing tub 11. Therefore, the detergent dispensing pump 13 introduces detergent into the water tank, and the water in the inlet pipe flushes the detergent from the water tank into the inner drum of the washing machine. In other embodiments, the detergent dispensing pump 13 can also be connected to the washing tub 11 in other ways, or the detergent dispensing pump 13 can be directly connected to the washing tub; this embodiment does not impose any limitations on this.

[0039] In some feasible embodiments, a detergent storage box 15 is also provided inside the washing machine casing for storing detergent. A detergent dispensing pump 13 can be located at the rear of the detergent storage box 15 or elsewhere and is connected to it. When the detergent dispensing pump 13 is turned on, it generates suction, thus drawing out the detergent stored in the detergent storage box 15 and dispensing it into the washing tub 11. When the detergent dispensing pump 13 is turned off, the detergent stored in the detergent storage box 15 will not be introduced into the detergent dispensing pump 13. In other feasible embodiments, the detergent dispensing pump 13 is connected to a suction pipe, which is directly inserted into the packaging bottle of the detergent to be dispensed. By activating the detergent dispensing pump 13, the detergent can be drawn into the detergent dispensing pump 13 and then dispensed into the washing tub 11.

[0040] The controller is a circuit board installed inside the washing machine's casing. It contains a washing machine control circuit composed of electronic components such as a memory. The controller 14 executes control methods stored in the memory to control the washing machine to achieve corresponding functions. Specifically, the controller 14 is configured to execute steps S110 to S140, detailed below:

[0041] Step S110: Obtain an image to be identified containing the attribute information of the detergent to be added.

[0042] Specifically, the image to be identified, containing the attribute information of the detergent to be added, can be obtained by the user taking a photo or automatically by the washing machine controller. This image can be an image of the detergent's outer packaging, ingredient list, instruction manual, or other images containing the detergent's attribute information. In some feasible embodiments, the washing machine also includes a communication unit for communicating with a user terminal to obtain the image to be identified containing the attribute information of the detergent from the user terminal. Alternatively, the image to be identified, containing the attribute information of the detergent to be added, can be automatically obtained through the washing machine's image acquisition unit. This embodiment does not limit the method of obtaining the image to be identified containing the attribute information of the detergent.

[0043] Step S120: Perform text recognition on the image to be recognized, and extract the attribute information of the detergent to be added from the text information obtained from the text recognition.

[0044] Specifically, text recognition is performed on the image to be identified, which contains attribute information of the detergent to be added, and the attribute information of the detergent to be added is extracted from the text information obtained from the text recognition. For example, text recognition is performed on the image to be identified, which contains attribute information of the detergent to be added, to obtain the text information obtained from the text recognition. Semantic analysis is then performed on the obtained text information to obtain the attribute information of the detergent to be added. Here, text recognition algorithms can be used to recognize the text in the image to be identified, and then the attribute information of the detergent to be added can be obtained.

[0045] It should be noted that the property information of detergent is used to describe the properties of detergent, including but not limited to at least one of the following: brand, efficacy, scope of application, and recommended dosage.

[0046] Step S130: Obtain the information of the clothes in the washing tub, and calculate the amount of detergent to be added based on the attribute information of the detergent to be added and the information of the clothes in the washing tub.

[0047] Specifically, the system obtains information about the clothes to be washed in the washing tub, such as the weight, material, and color of the clothes, and then uses this information to determine the properties of the detergent to be added.

[0048] Step S140: Control the detergent dispensing pump to dispense detergent into the washing tub in an amount matching the required amount of detergent to be dispensed.

[0049] Specifically, the controller controls the detergent dispensing pump to draw detergent matching the amount to be dispensed from the detergent storage box connected to it. The dispensing pump is connected to the washing tub via a water box and a water inlet pipe. The water box is connected to one end of the water inlet pipe, and the other end of the water inlet pipe is connected to the washing tub. Therefore, the dispensing pump introduces the detergent into the water box, and the water in the water inlet pipe flushes the detergent in the water box into the inner drum of the washing machine.

[0050] In this embodiment, text recognition is performed on the image to be identified, which contains attribute information of the detergent to be added. The attribute information of the detergent to be added is extracted from the text information obtained through text recognition, avoiding the need for the user to manually input the attribute information of the detergent to be added, thus improving the user experience. The system also obtains the information of the clothes in the washing machine tub, and calculates the amount of detergent to be added based on the attribute information of the detergent to be added and the information of the clothes in the washing machine tub. Finally, the controller controls the detergent dispensing pump to dispense the detergent to the washing machine tub with the amount of detergent to be added matching the amount of detergent to be added. Therefore, in this embodiment, the attribute information of the detergent to be added is automatically identified, eliminating the need for manual input of the attribute information of the detergent to be added. Even for newly introduced detergents, the attribute information of the detergent can be accurately obtained, achieving precise detergent dispensing.

[0051] Based on the above embodiments, in one exemplary embodiment provided in this application, the controller is further configured to perform the following steps S210 to S230, which are described in detail below:

[0052] Step S210: Before performing text recognition on the image to be recognized, obtain the identification information of the detergent to be added;

[0053] Step S220: Search the database for attribute information that matches the labeling information of the detergent to be added; wherein, the database stores the labeling information and attribute information corresponding to different detergents;

[0054] Step S230: If no attribute information matching the label information of the detergent to be added is found, then text recognition is performed on the image to be identified.

[0055] First, it should be noted that the server side corresponding to the washing machine controller has a database for storing the identification and attribute information of various detergents. The server can store the correspondence between the detergent identification information and the detergent attribute information in the database. During the operation of the washing machine, the complete washing data, including the attribute information of the detergent to be added, can be obtained from the database on the server side by scanning the identification information of the detergent to be added.

[0056] Specifically, in step S210, before the controller performs text recognition on the image to be recognized, it can also obtain the identification information of the detergent to be added. The identification information of the detergent to be added can be obtained by the user taking a picture of the identification information of the detergent to be added and uploading it to the communication unit on the washing machine circuit board, or by directly collecting the identification information of the detergent to be added through the image acquisition device set on the washing machine.

[0057] Furthermore, in step S220, the system searches the database on the server side for identification information that matches the identification information of the detergent to be added. If identification information that matches the identification information of the detergent to be added exists in the database on the server side, the system obtains the corresponding attribute information of the detergent to be added based on the identification information. In this way, the attribute information of the detergent to be added is automatically obtained without the need for manual input by the user.

[0058] Furthermore, in step S230, if there is no identification information matching the identification information of the detergent to be dispensed in the database on the server, it means that the identification information and attribute information of the detergent to be dispensed do not exist in the database. In this case, it is necessary to perform text recognition on the text information in the image to be recognized containing the attribute information of the detergent to be dispensed, and extract the attribute information of the detergent to be dispensed from the text information obtained by text recognition.

[0059] Furthermore, in some feasible embodiments, the server-side database of the washing machine stores detergent identification information and detergent attribute information. The detergent attribute information is obtained by searching the database for the attribute information corresponding to the detergent identification information using the detergent identification information as an input parameter.

[0060] In this embodiment, the identification information of the detergent to be added is directly obtained. Based on the identification information, the server-side database is searched to see if there is detergent attribute information that matches the identification information. If no attribute information that matches the identification information is found in the database, text recognition is performed on the image to be identified. The attribute information of the detergent to be added is obtained through the text information obtained by text recognition. In this way, the attribute information of the detergent to be added can be obtained directly from the database, reducing the text recognition computing power of the server, reducing the server's operating load, and increasing the speed of obtaining the detergent to be added.

[0061] Furthermore, based on the above embodiments, in one exemplary embodiment provided in this application, the controller of the washing machine is further configured to perform the following steps:

[0062] After extracting the attribute information of the detergent to be added from the text information obtained from character recognition, the extracted attribute information of the detergent to be added is stored in the database.

[0063] Specifically, if no attribute information matching the labeling information of the detergent to be added exists in the server-side database, text recognition is performed on the image containing the attribute information of the detergent to be added to obtain the attribute information of the detergent. For example, the text information obtained from text recognition of the image containing the attribute information of the detergent includes attribute information such as detergent ingredients, type, efficacy, applicable scope, recommended dosage, and labeling information, as well as the labeling information of the detergent. The attribute information of the detergent to be added, combined with the labeling information, is then stored in the server-side database.

[0064] In this embodiment, text recognition is performed on the image to be identified, which contains attribute information of the detergent to be added. The attribute information of the detergent to be added is obtained from the text information obtained through text recognition. The association between the identification information and attribute information of the detergent to be added is stored in the detergent database on the server side. This makes it convenient to directly retrieve the corresponding attribute information from the database through the identification information of the detergent to be added in the next use, and update the detergent database on the server side, thereby improving the real-time performance and comprehensiveness of the information in the detergent database.

[0065] Furthermore, based on the above embodiments, in one exemplary embodiment provided in this application, the controller of the washing machine is further configured to execute steps S310 to S330, as detailed below:

[0066] In step S310, during the process of storing the extracted attribute information of the detergent to be added into the database, a designated area of ​​the image to be identified is detected to determine whether the designated area contains a graphic code; the graphic code includes at least one of barcode and QR code.

[0067] Specifically, in the process of storing the extracted attribute information of the detergent to be added in the database on the server, a designated area of ​​the image to be identified containing the attribute information of the detergent to be added is scanned and detected to obtain the identification information of the detergent to be added from the designated area of ​​the image to be identified. The identification information of the detergent to be added can be a graphic code, and the graphic code can be at least one of a barcode and a QR code.

[0068] Step S320: If the specified area contains a graphic code, extract the identification information of the detergent to be added based on the graphic code;

[0069] Step S330: The extracted identification information and the attribute information of the detergent to be added are associated and stored in the database.

[0070] Specifically, in step S320, the graphic code of the detergent to be applied is obtained from a designated area in the image to be identified. The identification information of the detergent to be applied can be obtained from this graphic code. Then, the obtained identification information is combined with the attribute information of the detergent to be applied obtained through text recognition and stored together in the detergent database on the server. For example, the brand, efficacy, scope of use, and recommended dosage of the detergent corresponding to the identification information can be stored in the detergent database.

[0071] In this embodiment, for detergents whose attribute information does not exist in the server-side database, the identification information and attribute information of the detergent to be dispensed are associated and stored in the server-side database. This not only makes it convenient for users to directly obtain the corresponding attribute information from the server the next time they use the detergent, but also completes the update of the server-side database. Furthermore, the graphic code is usually set in a designated area. Scanning the designated area to obtain the graphic code can reduce scanning time and improve the speed of graphic code acquisition.

[0072] Furthermore, based on the above embodiments, in one exemplary embodiment provided in this application, the controller of the washing machine is further configured to perform the following steps:

[0073] If an attribute information matching the identifier of the detergent to be added is found, the amount of detergent to be added is calculated based on the found attribute information and the information of the clothes in the washing tub.

[0074] Specifically, the system obtains the attribute information of the detergent to be added, either through a detergent database on the server or through text recognition. This attribute information includes the brand, efficacy, scope of use, and recommended dosage of the detergent. Furthermore, it obtains information about the clothes inside the washing tub, including their weight and material, to calculate the appropriate amount of detergent to add.

[0075] Furthermore, in some feasible embodiments, based on the obtained attribute information of the detergent to be added and the obtained information of the clothes in the washing machine tub, a preset calculation model within the server determines the amount of detergent to be added to the washing machine tub. The system further controls the dispensing pump within the washing machine to draw detergent from the detergent storage box or directly from the detergent packaging container, matching the amount to be added.

[0076] For further details, please refer to Figure 2 Based on the above embodiments, in one exemplary embodiment provided in this application, the washing machine further includes:

[0077] An image acquisition device is configured to acquire images;

[0078] The controller described above is also configured to perform the following steps:

[0079] In the process of acquiring the image to be identified, which contains attribute information of the detergent to be added, the image to be identified is acquired by an image acquisition device.

[0080] Specifically, in this embodiment, an image acquisition device is installed on the washing machine. This image acquisition device can be used to acquire a recognition image containing attribute information of the detergent to be added, or it can be used to acquire the identification information of the detergent to be added. For example, if no detergent attribute information matching the identification information exists in the detergent database on the server side, the image acquisition device on the washing machine acquires a recognition image containing the attribute information of the detergent to be added, and directly sends the recognition image to the server. A text recognition algorithm is then used to obtain the text information contained in the recognition image to further determine the attribute information of the detergent to be added.

[0081] Furthermore, based on the above embodiments, in one exemplary embodiment provided in this application, the controller of the washing machine is further configured to perform the following steps, which are described in detail below:

[0082] In the process of extracting attribute information of the detergent to be added from the text information obtained from character recognition, semantic analysis is performed on the text information, and the attribute information of the detergent to be added is determined based on the semantic analysis results; wherein, the attribute information of the detergent to be added includes at least one of the following: brand, efficacy, scope of use and recommended dosage.

[0083] Specifically, text recognition is performed on the image to be identified, which contains attribute information of the detergent to be added, to obtain text information. Then, semantic analysis is performed on the text information. For example, the text information is matched with each type of intent. In essence, this is a match between the semantics of the text information and the semantics of the keywords contained in each type of intent. The higher the semantic matching degree, the higher the probability that the semantics expressed by the input statement corresponds to that type of intent.

[0084] In addition, in some feasible embodiments, the text information can be divided into multiple keywords and word segments, and the semantic vectors corresponding to each keyword and word segment can be calculated. The semantic analysis results of the text information can be obtained based on the semantic vectors corresponding to each word segment, and the attribute information of the detergent to be added can be determined based on the semantic analysis results. The attribute information of the detergent to be added includes at least one of the following: brand, efficacy, scope of use, and recommended dosage of the detergent to be added.

[0085] For further details, please refer to Figure 3 Based on the above embodiments, in one exemplary embodiment provided in this application, the washing machine further includes:

[0086] An environmental monitoring device is configured to detect environmental information;

[0087] The controller described above is also configured to execute steps S410 and S420, which are detailed below:

[0088] In step S410, during the process of calculating the amount of detergent to be added based on the attribute information of the detergent to be added and the information of the clothes in the washing tub, the current environmental information is obtained; the current environmental information includes at least one of water quality information, current environmental temperature information and current environmental humidity information.

[0089] Specifically, the detergent's attribute information includes ingredients, type, efficacy, applicable scope, recommended dosage, etc. Then, the washing parameters of the washing machine are determined based on the information of the clothes in the washing tub. The clothing information includes the weight and material information of the clothes. Furthermore, the environmental information of the washing machine is obtained from the environmental detection device configured in the washing machine, so as to calculate the amount of detergent to be added based on the current environmental factors of the washing machine.

[0090] Furthermore, in some feasible embodiments, the above-mentioned environmental detection device includes a gravity sensor, a humidity sensor, and a water quality detection unit. The gravity sensor installed inside the washing machine obtains the weight of the clothes in the washing tub, the humidity sensor obtains the humidity information of the current environment, and the water quality in the washing machine's inlet pipe is detected to obtain the corresponding water quality detection results.

[0091] Step S420: Calculate the amount of detergent to be added based on the current environmental information, the attribute information of the detergent to be added, and the information of the clothes in the washing tub.

[0092] Specifically, in some feasible embodiments, the current environmental information of the washing machine is obtained by the environmental detection device configured in the washing machine. For example, the weight of the clothes in the washing tub and the current humidity or temperature are obtained to determine the current season information. Then, the amount of detergent to be added is calculated based on the attribute information of the detergent to be added, the information of the clothes in the washing tub and the current environmental information.

[0093] In this embodiment, by detecting current environmental information, including at least one of temperature, humidity, and water quality information, the amount of detergent to be added is calculated in combination with environmental factors, so as to achieve accurate detergent addition and adjust the detergent addition amount according to changes in the environment, avoiding the situation where clothes are not cleaned properly due to too much or too little detergent.

[0094] Furthermore, based on the above embodiments, in one exemplary embodiment provided in this application, the controller is further configured to execute steps S510 and S520, which are described in detail below:

[0095] Step S510: Determine washing parameters based on the property information of the detergent to be added and the information of the clothes in the washing tub; the washing parameters include at least one of washing duration, number of rinses and washing temperature.

[0096] Step S520: Control the washing machine to perform washing according to the determined washing parameters.

[0097] Specifically, based on the brand, efficacy, applicable scope, and recommended dosage of the detergent to be added, combined with the information about the clothes in the washing tub, the washing parameters for the washing machine are determined. These washing parameters include, but are not limited to, at least one of the following: washing duration, number of rinses, washing temperature, washing water level, washing spin speed, motor speed, washing rotation time, and washing stop time. The washing machine is then controlled to perform the washing operation according to these determined washing parameters.

[0098] Furthermore, in some feasible embodiments, the detergent dispensing time is determined based on the washing duration in the washing parameters, so as to control the dispensing pump of the washing machine to dispense detergent into the washing tub of the washing machine at that dispensing time.

[0099] In this embodiment, the washing parameters of the washing machine are determined by the attribute information of the detergent to be added and the information of the clothes in the washing tub. The washing machine is then controlled to wash the clothes in the washing tub according to the determined washing parameters, thereby achieving precise control of the washing machine and improving the washing effect of the clothes.

[0100] For further details, please refer to Figure 4 Based on the above embodiments, in one exemplary embodiment provided in this application, the clothing recognition device includes: a gravity sensor configured to collect the weight of the clothing in the washing tub; and a clothing material recognition device configured to collect the material information of the clothing in the washing tub.

[0101] The controller described above is also configured to execute steps S610 and S620, which are detailed below:

[0102] Step S610: In the process of obtaining information about the clothes in the washing tub, the weight information of the clothes in the washing tub is obtained through a gravity sensor, and the material information of the clothes in the washing tub is obtained through a clothing material identification device.

[0103] Step S620: Calculate the amount of detergent to be added based on the weight of the clothes in the washing tub, the material information of the clothes in the washing tub, and the attribute information of the target detergent.

[0104] Specifically, in the process of obtaining information about the clothes inside the washing machine tub, the weight information of the clothes inside the tub is obtained through the gravity sensor built into the washing machine, and the material information of the clothes inside the tub is obtained through the material recognition device built into the washing machine. Then, by combining the weight information of the clothes inside the tub, the material information of the clothes inside the tub, and the attribute information of the target detergent, the amount of the target detergent to be added is calculated, and the detergent dispensing pump of the washing machine is controlled to add detergent that matches the amount to be added into the washing machine.

[0105] In addition, in some feasible embodiments, the clothing in the washing tub can be photographed by a clothing material detection device to obtain images of the clothing in the washing tub, and the texture of the clothing can be identified by performing texture recognition on the clothing images, and the material information of the clothing in the washing tub can be determined based on the results of the texture recognition.

[0106] In this embodiment, the weight and material information of the clothes in the washing tub are obtained through the gravity sensor and the clothing material recognition device installed in the washing machine clothing recognition device. Based on the weight of the clothes, the material information of the clothes, and the attribute information of the target detergent, the amount of target detergent to be added is determined, thereby achieving accurate addition of detergent and avoiding the problem of incomplete washing caused by too much or too little detergent.

[0107] Please refer to Figure 5 , Figure 5 This is a simplified flowchart illustrating a method for controlling detergent dispensing in a washing machine under exemplary application scenarios. Figure 5 In the application scenario shown, the identification information of the detergent to be added is scanned by the user terminal or the camera built into the washing machine. Based on the scanning result, the product code of the detergent to be added is obtained. The system then searches the detergent database on the server side for detergent attribute information that matches the product code. If no matching detergent attribute information is found in the server-side database, an image containing the attribute information of the detergent to be added is acquired. This image can be captured by the user terminal and transmitted to the washing machine via a suitable communication method, or it can be directly captured by the camera installed on the washing machine. This application does not restrict the method of acquiring the image. Next, text recognition is performed on the image to obtain the attribute information of the detergent to be added. In some feasible embodiments, the matching relationship between the product code of the detergent to be added and the attribute information of the detergent to be added is stored in the server-side detergent database to update the server-side detergent database. After obtaining the attribute information of the detergent to be added, the system combines this information with the data on the clothes in the washing machine's tub, the detergent's attributes, and the current environmental information to calculate the appropriate amount of detergent to be added. This allows the washing machine's detergent pump to dispense the correct amount of detergent into the tub. This not only updates the detergent database on the server but also enables precise detergent dispensing based on clothing, environmental, and detergent attributes, thereby improving the washing machine's performance.

[0108] The flowcharts and block diagrams in the accompanying drawings illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products according to various embodiments of this application. Each block in a flowchart or block diagram may represent a module, segment, or portion of code, which contains one or more executable instructions for implementing a specified logical function. It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions indicated in the blocks may occur in a different order than those indicated in the drawings. For example, two consecutively indicated blocks may actually be executed substantially in parallel, and they may sometimes be executed in reverse order, depending on the functions involved. It should also be noted that each block in a block diagram or flowchart, and combinations of blocks in a block diagram or flowchart, can be implemented using a dedicated hardware-based system that performs the specified function or operation, or using a combination of dedicated hardware and computer instructions.

[0109] The units described in the embodiments of this application can be implemented in software or hardware, and the described units can also be located in a processor. The names of these units do not necessarily limit the specific unit itself.

[0110] The above description is merely a preferred exemplary embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit the implementation of this application. Those skilled in the art can easily make corresponding modifications or alterations based on the main concept and spirit of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of protection claimed in the claims.

Claims

1. A washing machine, characterized in that, The washing machine includes a housing, and a washing tub, a detergent storage box, a detergent dispensing pump, a clothing identification device, and a controller disposed within the housing; The detergent dispensing pump is configured to dispense detergent from the detergent storage box into the washing tub; The clothing recognition device is configured to recognize the clothing contained in the washing tub and obtain clothing information; The controller is configured to perform the following steps: Obtain an image to be identified that contains attribute information of the detergent to be applied; The image to be identified is subjected to text recognition, and the attribute information of the detergent to be added is extracted from the text information obtained by text recognition; Obtain information about the clothes inside the washing tub, and calculate the amount of detergent to be added based on the attribute information of the detergent to be added and the information about the clothes inside the washing tub; Control the detergent dispensing pump to dispense detergent into the washing tub in a manner matching the required amount of detergent to be dispensed; and Before performing text recognition on the image to be identified, the identification information of the detergent to be added is obtained. The image to be identified includes the outer packaging image, ingredient list image, and instruction manual image of the detergent to be added. The database is used to search for attribute information that matches the identification information of the detergent to be added; wherein, the database stores identification information and attribute information corresponding to different detergents; If no attribute information matching the identification information of the detergent to be applied is found, then text recognition is performed on the image to be identified.

2. The washing machine as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The controller is also configured to perform the following steps: After extracting the attribute information of the detergent to be added from the text information obtained from the text recognition, the extracted attribute information of the detergent to be added is stored in the database.

3. The washing machine as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The controller is also configured to perform the following steps: During the process of storing the extracted attribute information of the detergent to be applied into the database, a designated area of ​​the image to be identified is detected to determine whether the designated area contains a graphic code; the graphic code includes at least one of barcode and QR code; If the designated area contains a graphic code, then the identification information of the detergent to be added is extracted based on the graphic code; The extracted identification information and the attribute information of the detergent to be added are associated and stored in the database.

4. The washing machine as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The controller is also configured to perform the following steps: If an attribute information matching the identifier of the detergent to be added is found, the amount of detergent to be added is calculated based on the found attribute information and the information of the clothes in the washing tub.

5. The washing machine as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The washing machine also includes: An image acquisition device is configured to acquire images; The controller is also configured to perform the following steps: During the process of acquiring an image to be identified containing attribute information of the detergent to be added, the image to be identified is acquired by the image acquisition device.

6. The washing machine as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The controller is also configured to perform the following steps: In the process of extracting the attribute information of the detergent to be added from the text information obtained from character recognition, semantic analysis is performed on the text information, and the attribute information of the detergent to be added is determined based on the semantic analysis results; wherein, the attribute information of the detergent to be added includes at least one of the following: brand, efficacy, scope of use, and recommended dosage.

7. The washing machine as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The washing machine also includes: An environmental monitoring device is configured to detect environmental information; The controller is also configured to perform the following steps: In the process of calculating the amount of detergent to be added based on the attribute information of the detergent to be added and the information of the clothes in the washing tub, the current environmental information is obtained; the current environmental information includes at least one of water quality information, current environmental temperature information and current environmental humidity information. The amount of detergent to be added is calculated based on the current environmental information, the attribute information of the detergent to be added, and the information of the clothes in the washing tub.

8. The washing machine as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The controller is also configured to perform the following steps: Washing parameters are determined based on the property information of the detergent to be added and the information of the clothes in the washing tub; the washing parameters include at least one of washing duration, number of rinses, and washing temperature; The washing machine is controlled to perform washing based on the determined washing parameters.

9. The washing machine as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The clothing recognition device includes: A gravity sensor is configured to collect the weight of the clothes inside the washing tub; A clothing material identification device is configured to collect material information of the clothing inside the washing tub; The controller is also configured to perform the following steps: During the process of acquiring information about the clothes in the washing tub, the weight information of the clothes in the washing tub is acquired through the gravity sensor, and the material information of the clothes in the washing tub is acquired through the clothing material identification device. The amount of detergent to be added is calculated based on the weight of the clothes in the washing tub, the material information of the clothes in the washing tub, and the attribute information of the target detergent.

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