Method for obtaining detergent information based on crowdsourcing

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for perfecting and / or updating at least one database for detergents, in which at least one product identification of the detergent is detected by means of a sensor and an information request is transmitted to the database on the basis of the product identification, the information about the detergent associated with the product identification is missing or incomplete or outdated in the database, and wherein a request for at least one crowdsourcing service is generated by the database for ascertaining the information about the detergent associated with the product identification. The invention further relates to a method and a system for perfecting and / or updating at least one database for water hardness.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for completing and / or updating at least one database for detergents, wherein at least one product identification of the detergent is detected by a sensor and, based on this product identification, an information request is transmitted to the database. The present invention also relates to a method and a system for completing and / or updating at least one database for water hardness. Background Art

[0002] Washing machines with automatic dosing systems can be particularly advantageously equipped with a device that automatically identifies the detergent being used. To do this, the user can optically scan the barcode on the detergent packaging after filling the automatic dosing system. Information about detergents, water hardness, and dosing quantities related to water hardness is provided by an external database. For the automatic dosing system to operate smoothly, this database must be up-to-date and contain information on as many available detergents as possible. Especially when new products are released, such a database can quickly become outdated. This is particularly true for detergents and regional water values ​​that are constantly changing due to changes in environmental conditions and water supply.

[0003] Currently known methods can circumvent the shortcomings of databases and perform so-called OCR scanning (optical character recognition) of the dosing instructions on detergent packaging. However, this method is technically complex and, due to the widespread use of automatic dosing devices in washing machines worldwide, must work in a large number of different languages ​​and scripts. In this case, damaged or contaminated detergent packaging often cannot be read using OCR scanning or is incorrectly read. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a method that at least enables the automatic initiation of the completion and / or updating of a database. This object is achieved by a method having the features of claim 1, by a method having the features of claim 6, and by a system having the features of claim 10.

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for compiling and / or updating at least one database for detergents is provided. Detergents may be stored in the database by brand, name, active ingredient, etc. Advantageously, the product identifier of the detergent may be stored in the database in association with the detergent. This product information may include, for example, dosing instructions, product images, and dosing deviations for increased water hardness and / or heavy soiling.

[0006] In one step of the method, a sensor detects at least one product identifier of a detergent and transmits an information request to a database based on the product identifier. This step is used to retrieve the detergent product information so that, for example, an automatic dosing device can be controlled based on the product information. This allows the automatic dosing device to accurately dispense the detergent according to the detergent instructions.

[0007] In another step, it is determined that information about the detergent associated with the product identifier or the product information is missing, incomplete, or outdated in the database. Then, a request is generated to at least one crowdsourcing service via the database to obtain information about the detergent associated with the product identifier.

[0008] According to another aspect of the present invention, a system for carrying out at least one method according to the present invention is provided. The system comprises at least one domestic appliance and at least one database which can be connected to the domestic appliance via a communication connection.

[0009] In addition, the system can have a device or sensor for receiving at least one product identification. Such a device can be configured electronically and / or optically. Here, at least one product identification of the detergent can be registered by a sensor, which is configured as a component of the household appliance or an external sensor. For example, the household appliance can be directly (for example, by means of Bluetooth or NFC) or indirectly (for example, via a WLAN connection or an Internet connection) coupled to the external sensor to receive the product identification. In an alternative or additional configuration, a portable device (for example, a smart phone) can have such an external sensor to obtain the product identification. Here, the measurement data of the external sensor can be sent directly to the database, or indirectly sent to the database via the household appliance, and the household appliance can receive the measurement data of the sensor and forward it to the database.

[0010] In the sense of the present invention, a detergent can be configured as a fabric care agent (e.g. liquid detergent, detergent powder, fabric softener), a washing additive (e.g. bleach or colorant), a care or cleaning agent for household appliances (e.g. descaling agent, dishwashing liquid or dishwashing tablets), etc. Thus, a household appliance can be, for example, a washing machine, a washer-dryer, a dishwasher, etc.

[0011] The household appliance is preferably a water-conducting household appliance. Depending on the configuration, the household appliance can also be a steamer, an oven with a steam function, a coffee maker, an ice maker, etc. The method according to the invention for completing and / or updating at least one database for water hardness can also be used particularly advantageously for such household appliances.

[0012] The method for identifying products through crowdsourcing and systematically creating or updating a database can potentially be used for all information required by a device or user, such as cooking instructions for food or coffee or product identification to know the shelf life of food when stored.

[0013] By using a crowdsourcing service, after essentially manually creating a database, it can be systematically and flexibly expanded within the scope of micro-tasks. This method allows small search tasks to be systematically forwarded to a crowdsourcing service using the system according to the invention or via the database in order to detect missing information for different products (particularly detergents) and / or locations. The detergent to be tested is uniquely identified using the transmitted product identifier.

[0014] The database can be configured in the cloud and can link the information about the detergents with the corresponding product identifiers (e.g., in the form of barcodes). If the database (e.g., which can be configured as a database service) does not have information about the new product, a search task is triggered on the crowdsourcing service to find and record information about the unknown detergent.

[0015] A search may be triggered each time the database is requested for a product identification with unknown or incomplete information.

[0016] In an alternative embodiment, a search by a crowdsourcing service can only be triggered after multiple requests to determine the product identification. Thus, for example, a crowdsourcing service can be commissioned to search for corresponding information after 3 to 15 requests to determine the detergent.

[0017] The crowdsourcing service can then feed back the results to the database, which in the best case includes all missing or updated information about the detergent. The results can be inserted into the database automatically or checked by at least one employee of the database to provide information about the product identity of the detergent.

[0018] The integrated search through crowdsourcing services enables the quick and convenient provision of search results upon request. Advantageously, this automated improvement of the database is not limited to local areas but can also be easily implemented on a global scale.

[0019] In one embodiment, the product identification in the form of a barcode or QR code is detected optically. This method enables a technically simple ascertainment of the product identification using an optical sensor (for example in a smartphone or a household appliance).

[0020] According to another embodiment, the information about detergents obtained through crowdsourcing services is used to complete missing or incomplete information about detergents associated with product identifiers in the database or to update outdated information in the database. This makes it particularly convenient to update and complete the database within the scope of automated search tasks.

[0021] According to another embodiment, the completion or updating of the information about detergents associated with product identifiers in the database is checked and approved automatically or, in particular, manually by an employee. In addition to automatically obtaining the search results from the crowdsourcing service, the received search results can also be checked by humans or software in an intermediate step of the method. This intermediate step is advantageously performed before the information obtained about the product identifier is provided or published.

[0022] According to another embodiment, within the context of requesting information about the transmitted product identification via at least one crowdsourcing service, a request for information is forwarded to the distributor and / or manufacturer and / or an internet search for the product identification is performed. If the crowdsourcing service returns a negative or unsuccessful search result to the database, the database or a corresponding database service can forward or extend the search task. Within the context of forwarding or extending, the missing information can be requested from other entities (e.g., detergent distributors and manufacturers).

[0023] According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for completing and / or updating at least one database for water hardness is provided. This method can be implemented together with or independently of a method for completing and / or updating at least one database for detergents. Because water hardness is a decisive factor in detergent dosing, this method can be advantageously taken into account or implemented during detergent dosing.

[0024] In an alternative embodiment, the method for completing and / or updating at least one database for detergents can also be performed separately or independently, for example, to determine a descaling cycle or a replacement interval for a descaling filter in a household appliance. Such household appliances can be, for example, coffee machines and steamers, but also washing machines or dishwashers with manual detergent dosing.

[0025] In one step of the method, the position of the household appliance and / or the user is determined and sent to a database. The database can be implemented in the form of a cloud database service. In this case, the database can be integrated into a database for detergents or configured in parallel or independently of such a database.

[0026] Based on the ascertained position, at least one water hardness assigned to this position is received in order to take the water hardness into account (for example when dosing detergent).

[0027] Water hardness can be considered as hardness in the unit of "dH" or in the form of a value range. Depending on the configuration, water hardness can also be classified as "soft", "medium" and "hard".

[0028] For example, if the water hardness for a requested location is not found in the database, a request is sent to at least one crowdsourcing service to determine the water hardness assigned to that location. This generates an automated search request for the crowdsourcing service from the database or database service. This measure can be used to update the database if data is missing. In this case, the water hardness or missing or out-of-date hardness values ​​are independently discovered through customer requests.

[0029] Similar to the method for completing and / or updating at least one database for detergents, the search results obtained by the crowdsourcing service can be returned to the database. Positive results or search results can then be checked, in particular automatically or by database staff, and integrated into the database. Thus, after this check, new information about water hardness is provided to the user.

[0030] According to one embodiment, if the water hardness assigned to the determined location is stored in a database, the corresponding water hardness is sent to the user and / or household appliance as feedback and used for detergent dosing and / or adjustment of the detergent dosing. This measure can, for example, allow the detergent dosing to be adapted to the actual water hardness value in the geographic area of ​​the household appliance. Alternatively or additionally, the received water hardness can also be used to set a scheduled descaling schedule for the household appliance, where the water hardness value can increase or decrease the intervals for descaling the household appliance. The corresponding water hardness value can be automatically taken into account during the operation of the household appliance or manually input by the user.

[0031] According to another embodiment, based on the missing assignment of water hardness to the locations, an area, in particular in the form of a polygon, supplied by the water supplier is determined, wherein the water hardness or the value range for the water hardness determined for the location is assigned to the determined area. Thus, a hardness can be assigned to each location. The respective water hardness can be indexed by geographic polygons and postal codes or smaller geographic areas.

[0032] Since water suppliers typically supply water to a specific area, it can be concluded that the entire area has a constant water hardness. Therefore, this entire area can be delimited as a polygon in a digital map, and a water hardness value or a water hardness value range can be assigned to it. Upon subsequent database request, each location within this area or polygon (e.g., in the form of GPS coordinates) can be assigned a water hardness value. The database can be configured as a digital map and / or a value table with a plurality of GPS coordinates or GPS coordinate-based boundaries and corresponding water hardness values.

[0033] According to another embodiment, the water hardness is determined as an absolute value or as a value range using a crowdsourcing service. The crowdsourcing service determines the water hardness based on internet searches and / or on-site sampling and stores the water hardness in a database. This allows for flexible determination of the water hardness based on a variety of possible methods and its storage in the database.

[0034] The advantages and features explained above in conjunction with the device also apply analogously to the method, and vice versa. Individual features or aspects of the present invention can be combined with one another and have the advantages explained here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] The invention is explained in detail below based on advantageous embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings show:

[0036] Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing a system according to the invention according to one embodiment;

[0037] Figure 2 A schematic flow chart showing a method for completing and / or updating at least one database for detergents according to one embodiment;

[0038] Figure 3 A schematic flow chart of a method for completing and / or updating at least one database for water hardness according to one embodiment is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] In the drawings, identical or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference numerals. Factors such as numerical values, shapes, components, component positions, and the manner in which components are connected to each other are illustrative only and not restrictive. In the drawings, some different scales are used for clarity and improved visibility.

[0040] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a system 100 according to the invention is shown according to one embodiment. The system 100 is used to perform at least one method according to the invention, which method Figure 2 and Figure 3 is shown in the schematic flow chart in .

[0041] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the system 100 comprises a household appliance 10 and at least one database 20, which is connectable to the household appliance 10 via a communication connection 30. For simplicity, the household appliance 10 is designed as a washing machine with an automatic dosing device.

[0042] In the example shown, the database 20 is provided to provide the water hardness in a location-dependent manner and to output information about the dosage as a function of the product identification of the detergent.

[0043] Furthermore, system 100 includes devices 41, 42 or sensors for receiving at least one product identifier. These devices 41, 42 can be configured electronically and / or optically. If the product identifier is configured as a barcode or QR code, the at least one product identifier of the detergent can be detected by an optical sensor 41, for example, in the form of a camera. The position or position information can be determined using another device or sensor 42 in the form of a GPS sensor.

[0044] In the illustrated embodiment, sensors 41 and 42 are configured as external sensors of a portable device 40 (e.g., a smartphone). Thus, the household appliance 10 can be coupled to the external sensors 41 and 42, for example, directly (e.g., via Bluetooth or NFC) or indirectly (e.g., via a WLAN connection or an internet connection) to receive product identification. In the illustrated configuration, the measurement data from the external sensors 41 and 42 can be sent directly to the database 20.

[0045] The portable device 40 can, for example, have a so-called web application that can receive the measurement data of the sensors 41, 42 and forward the measurement data in unprocessed or processed form. The measurement data can be forwarded to the computing unit or control unit 11 of the domestic appliance 10, which can generate and send a request to the database 20 based on this.

[0046] The connection 30 between the household appliance 10 and the portable device 40 can be realized, for example, by means of a WLAN connection and / or a Bluetooth connection. For example, a request from the computing unit 11 of the household appliance 10 to the database 20 can be realized by means of the communication connection 30 in the form of a conventional network connection.

[0047] The request from the computing unit 11 includes, for example, the sending of the detergent's product identification and location information (e.g., GPS data). In the best case, the database 20 can provide information for dosing that matches the product identification and the location-dependent water hardness as feedback. The information about the detergent dosage determined using the product identification can be adjusted based on the received water hardness. With this information or data, the automatic dosing device (not shown) of the household appliance 10 can set the optimal detergent dosage and carry out an exemplary washing process. This prevents the use of too little detergent due to increased water hardness. Furthermore, this measure also saves detergent, as the specific information about the detergent dosage prevents unnecessary overdosing.

[0048] exist Figure 2 and Figure 3Schematically, the following method is described in , which is carried out if, for example, no water hardness information is found in the database 20 regarding the sent location information and / or no information regarding a detergent corresponding to the transmitted product identification.

[0049] Figure 2 A schematic flow chart is shown for illustrating a method 50 for completing and / or updating at least one database 20 for detergents according to one exemplary embodiment.

[0050] In step 51 of method 50, a sensor detects at least one product identifier of the detergent, and based on the product identifier, an information request is transmitted to database 20. This step 51 is advantageously initiated by user 200. This step is used to retrieve the detergent's product information, for example, so as to control an automatic dosing device of household appliance 10 based on the product information. This allows the automatic dosing device to accurately dose the detergent according to the detergent's instructions. In the optimal case, when the product identifier is known, database 20 provides feedback 52 with corresponding dosing instructions, which can be used by household appliance 10. This step 52 can be confirmed or approved by user 200.

[0051] The product identifications of the detergents associated with the corresponding product identifications can be stored in the database 20. Such product information can include, for example, dosing instructions or dosing guides, product images, dosing deviations when water hardness increases and / or soiling is severe, etc.

[0052] If it is determined in step 53 that the information about the detergent associated with the product identifier or the product information in database 20 is missing, incomplete, or outdated, a request is generated via database 20 to at least one crowdsourcing service 21 to obtain the information about the detergent associated with the product identifier. Crowdsourcing service 21 can then instruct crowdsourcing employees or searchers 22 to obtain the corresponding information about the pre-defined product identifier.

[0053] In step 54 , the crowdsourcing employee 22 can forward a request for information to the dealer 23 and / or the manufacturer 24 or directly request the corresponding information. In an alternative or additional step 55 , the crowdsourcing employee 22 can perform an Internet search 25 for the product identification.

[0054] Subsequently, in step 56, the determined information about the detergent can be used to complete the detergent associated with the product identification in database 20 or to update outdated information in database 20. Depending on the configuration of method 50, this information may require the approval of a database 20 employee.

[0055] In a further step 57 , the refined information is provided to the user 200 .

[0056] Figure 3 A schematic flow chart of a method 60 for completing and / or updating at least one database 20 for water hardness according to one embodiment is shown. Figure 2 The method 50 for improving and / or updating the at least one database 20 for detergents shown in can be implemented together or independently of the method 50. Since water hardness is a decisive factor in detergent dosing, the method 60 can be taken into account or implemented during detergent dosing.

[0057] In step 61 of method 60, the location of household appliance 10 and / or user 200 is determined using GPS sensor 42 and transmitted to database 20 in order to retrieve the water hardness at that location. Alternatively or additionally, the location can be determined based on an IP address of a network or internet connection and / or based on connection information of a mobile radio base station. This can be accomplished, for example, using portable device 40.

[0058] The database 20 can be implemented as a database service in the cloud. Here, the database 20 can be integrated into a database for detergents, or can be configured in parallel or independently with the database 20.

[0059] Based on the determined position, at least one water hardness assigned to the position is received in step 62 in order to take this water hardness into account, for example, when dosing detergent. This feedback from the database 20 can be directly transmitted to the portable device 40 and / or the computing unit 11 of the domestic appliance 10.

[0060] Water hardness can be considered as hardness in the unit of "dH" or in the form of a value range. Depending on the configuration, water hardness can also be classified as "soft", "medium" and "hard".

[0061] If, for example, no water hardness is found in database 20 for the desired location, a request is sent to crowdsourcing service 21 in step 63 of method 60 to determine the water hardness assigned to the location. Crowdsourcing service 21 then delegates the task to one or more crowdsourcing employees or participants 22 and determines the corresponding water hardness value.

[0062] As part of the search task, the employee 22 can, for example, carry out an Internet search 23 in a step 64. In an alternative or additional step 65, a chemical analysis 24 of the water can be carried out in order to directly measure the water hardness.

[0063] In another step 66, similar to Figure 2 According to the method 50 described in , the results of the search task can be stored in the database 20 and subsequently provided 67 to the user 200. In this case, the authorization and / or checking of the search results can be carried out in an intermediate instance (not shown).

[0064] Reference Signs List

[0065] 10-Household appliances

[0066] 11-Computing unit / control unit

[0067] 20-Database

[0068] 21-Crowdsourcing Services

[0069] 22-Crowdsourced employees

[0070] 23-Dealers

[0071] 24-Manufacturer

[0072] 25-Internet Search

[0073] 30-Communication Connection

[0074] 40-Portable Devices

[0075] 41-Sensor / Camera Sensor

[0076] 42-Sensor / GPS sensor

[0077] 50-Method for improving a database for detergents

[0078] 51-Test product identification

[0079] 52-Feedback

[0080] 53-Request for crowdsourcing services

[0081] 54-Request to dealer or manufacturer

[0082] 55-Perform an Internet Search

[0083] 56-Pass the search results to the database

[0084] 57-Provide improved information

[0085] 60-Method for improving the database for water hardness

[0086] 61-Detection location

[0087] 62-Feedback

[0088] 63-Request for crowdsourcing services

[0089] 64-Perform an Internet search

[0090] 65-On-site measurement

[0091] 66-Passing search results to the database

[0092] 67-Provide improved information

[0093] 100-System

[0094] 200-users

Claims

1. A method (50) for completing and / or updating at least one database (20) for detergents, wherein: At least one product identification of a detergent is detected by a sensor, and an information request is transmitted (51) to a database (20) based on the product identification, wherein information about the detergent associated with the product identification is missing, incomplete or outdated in the database (20), and a request (53) to at least one crowdsourcing service (21) is generated by the database (20), wherein the request is used to obtain information about the detergent associated with the product identification.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein: Optical detection of product identification in the form of a barcode or QR code.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The information about the detergent obtained through the crowdsourcing service (21) is used to complete the missing or incomplete information about the detergent associated with the product identification in the database (20) or to update the outdated information in the database (20).

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein: The completion or updating of the information on the detergent associated with the product identification in the database (20) is checked and approved automatically or, in particular, manually by a staff member.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: Within the scope of obtaining information about the transmitted product identification via at least one crowdsourcing service (21), a request for obtaining information is transmitted to a dealer (23) and / or a manufacturer (24), and / or an Internet search (25) is performed about the product identification.

6. A method (60) for completing and / or updating at least one database (20) for water hardness, wherein: The location of a household appliance (10) and / or a user (200) is determined and sent (61) to a database (20), wherein at least one water hardness assigned to the location is received (62) based on the location in order to take the water hardness into account, for example, when dosing detergent, wherein, in the absence of information about the water hardness of the transmitted location, a request (63) is sent to at least one crowdsourcing service (21) in order to determine the water hardness assigned to the location.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein: If the water hardness assigned to the determined location is present in the database (20), the corresponding water hardness is sent to the user (200) and / or the domestic appliance (10) in the form of feedback (62) and used for detergent dosing and / or adjustment of detergent dosing.

8. The method according to claim 6 or 7, wherein: Based on the missing assignment of the water hardness to the location, an area, in particular in the form of a polygon, supplied by the water supplier is ascertained, wherein the water hardness or the value range of the water hardness determined for the location is assigned to the ascertained area.

9. The method according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein: The water hardness is determined in the form of an absolute value or a value range by means of a crowdsourcing service, wherein the water hardness is determined by means of the crowdsourcing service based on an Internet search and / or on-site sampling and is stored in the database.

10. A system (100) for executing one of the methods (50, 60) according to any of the preceding claims, the system comprising at least one household appliance (10) and at least one database (20), which can be connected to the household appliance (10) via a communication connection (30).

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