A control method for a pet washing and grooming machine and an intelligent pet washing and grooming machine

Abstract

The application provides a control method for a pet washing and caring machine and an intelligent pet washing and caring machine. The control method for the pet washing and caring machine determines a washing and caring mode, a washing and caring liquid formula and a drying mode matched with a target pet in combination with a body parameter and a health parameter of the target pet, performs washing and caring on the target pet, and further adaptively adjusts according to the emotion of the pet during the washing and caring process, so as to meet the individualized and refined cleaning and drying needs of different pets and different health conditions and emotional conditions of the pets, improve the washing and caring effect, and guarantee the physical and mental health of the pets.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of intelligent pet grooming machines, specifically to a control method for a pet grooming machine and an intelligent pet grooming machine. Background Technology

[0002] Pet washing and drying machines on the market today typically possess the following four main functional technologies:

[0003] 1. Bathing Technology: The equipment has a built-in bathing tub or container for pets to bathe in. Different showerheads or nozzles may be available to provide different types of water flow to suit different pet species and bathing needs. Additionally, the wash and dryer may be equipped with shampoo suitable for different pets.

[0004] 2. Drying Technology: Equipped with highly efficient drying technology to ensure pets dry quickly after washing. This includes high-powered fans or special drying chambers that rapidly and completely dry the pet's fur and skin, preventing bacterial growth caused by a damp environment;

[0005] 3. Safety Design: Because pets' body structure and needs differ from humans, the equipment incorporates a specialized pet safety design to ensure it does not cause harm or discomfort to pets during use. For example, an anti-slip design ensures pets will not slip or get injured during washing and drying. Additionally, the equipment may be equipped with bite-proof and scratch-resistant materials to prevent pets from chewing or scratching the equipment.

[0006] 4. Other specific functions: such as ultraviolet sterilization and ozone sterilization, to provide more comprehensive pet care services.

[0007] However, most pet washing and drying machines on the market rely on users visually assessing their pet's condition, manually setting the washing and care mode, and adding varying amounts of pet shampoo and conditioner to perform a standardized, semi-automated pet grooming process. This homogenized approach to grooming equipment can no longer meet the higher demands of today's pet market.

[0008] Invention application No. 202110188899.4 discloses a cleaning method, apparatus, and pet washing machine for use in pet washing. This application uses a camera to acquire the pet's identification information, then sets different cleaning programs based on the different cleaning characteristics of each pet to obtain the corresponding operating parameters for the target cleaning program. The pet washing machine is then controlled to operate under these parameters, providing different personalized cleaning programs for different pets, which helps ensure effective pet cleaning. While this application addresses the aforementioned problems to some extent, it still has shortcomings. For example, it cannot set appropriate cleaning programs based on the pet's health status or mood, which may affect the pet's physical and mental health. Summary of the Invention

[0009] This application provides a control method for a pet grooming machine and an intelligent pet grooming machine, the specific technical solution of which is as follows:

[0010] A control method for a pet grooming machine, the control method specifically includes the following steps: Step S1, acquiring the body parameters and health parameters of the target pet; Step S2, determining the grooming mode, grooming solution formula, and drying mode matching the target pet based on the body parameters and health parameters, and then grooming the target pet; Step S3, monitoring the target pet's emotions during the grooming process; Step S4, adjusting the grooming process according to the target pet's emotions until the grooming is completed.

[0011] Further, in step S1, the method for obtaining the target pet's body parameters and health parameters specifically includes: step S11, acquiring the image information of the target pet, and then using image recognition technology to obtain the target pet's body parameters, which include the target pet's breed information, fur information, and volume information; step S12, based on the target pet's image information, using a pre-trained deep learning model to determine whether the target pet has symptoms of skin allergies, thereby obtaining the target pet's health parameters.

[0012] Furthermore, in step S2, the method for determining the shampooing and grooming mode that matches the target pet specifically includes: based on the health parameters of the target pet, if the target pet has symptoms of skin allergy, then an anti-allergy shampooing and grooming mode is selected to shampoo and groom the target pet; if the target pet does not have symptoms of skin allergy, then a shampooing and grooming mode other than the anti-allergy shampooing and grooming mode is selected based on the body parameters of the target pet.

[0013] Furthermore, in step S2, the method for determining the shampoo formula that matches the target pet specifically includes: when the hypoallergenic shampoo mode is selected, the hypoallergenic shampoo is mixed and diluted with water for use in shampooing the target pet.

[0014] Furthermore, in step S2, the method for determining the drying mode that matches the target pet specifically includes: when the anti-allergy shampooing mode is selected, using a low-temperature drying mode to dry the target pet, or using a room-temperature air drying mode to air dry the target pet.

[0015] Furthermore, in step S3, the method for monitoring the target pet's emotions specifically includes: using a radar sensor to transmit a low-energy radio frequency signal to the target pet, and then obtaining the target pet's heart rate and respiratory rate from the transmitted signal. When both the target pet's heart rate and respiratory rate exceed a threshold, the target pet is considered to be emotionally agitated; otherwise, the target pet is considered to be emotionally calm.

[0016] Furthermore, in step S3, the method for monitoring the target pet's emotions specifically includes: using a microphone to collect the target pet's voice, then calculating the energy and fundamental frequency of the voice; when the energy and fundamental frequency of the voice are detected to exceed a threshold at least a preset number of times within a certain period of time, the target pet is considered to be emotionally agitated; otherwise, the target pet is considered to be emotionally calm.

[0017] Furthermore, in step S4, the method of adjusting the washing and grooming process according to the target pet's mood until the washing and grooming is completed specifically includes: when the target pet is agitated, interacting with the target pet through an interactive mode, while continuously monitoring the target pet's mood; if the target pet changes from agitation to calmness, then continuing the current washing and grooming process until the washing and grooming is completed; if the target pet is still agitated, then reducing the washing and grooming time, the amount of shampoo and grooming solution used, and the drying time, and lowering the temperature and airflow during drying.

[0018] Furthermore, after completing the washing and grooming of the target pet, the pet grooming machine records the pet's washing and grooming information and provides washing and grooming suggestions for the next time the target pet is washed and groomed. The pet's washing and grooming information includes at least one of the following: the pet's body parameters, health parameters, washing and grooming mode, washing and grooming solution formula, drying mode, and emotional parameters.

[0019] A smart pet grooming machine, the smart pet grooming machine being used to perform the steps of the control method for the pet grooming machine.

[0020] The control method for a pet grooming machine described in this application determines the grooming mode, grooming solution formula, and drying mode that match the target pet based on the target pet's body parameters and health parameters. Furthermore, it adaptively adjusts the process according to the pet's mood, thus meeting the personalized and refined cleaning and drying needs of different pets and pets in different health and emotional states. This improves the grooming effect while also protecting the pet's physical and mental health. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a flowchart illustrating a control method for a pet grooming machine according to one embodiment of this application. Implementation

[0022] In the following description, specific details such as particular system architectures and techniques are set forth for illustrative purposes and not for limitation, in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of this application. However, those skilled in the art will understand that this application may also be implemented in other embodiments without these specific details. In other instances, detailed descriptions of well-known systems, apparatuses, circuits, and methods have been omitted so as not to obscure the description of this application with unnecessary detail.

[0023] It should be understood that, when used in this application, the term "comprising" indicates the presence of the described feature, integral, step, operation, element, and / or component, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integrals, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or collections thereof. It should also be understood that, as used in this application, the term "and / or" refers to any combination of one or more of the associated listed items and all possible combinations, and includes such combinations.

[0024] As used in this application, the term "if" may be interpreted, depending on the context, as "when," "once," "in response to determination," or "in response to detection." Similarly, the phrase "if determined" or "if [the described condition or event] is detected" may be interpreted, depending on the context, as "once determined," "in response to determination," "once [the described condition or event] is detected," or "in response to detection of [the described condition or event]."

[0025] Furthermore, in the description of this application, the terms "first," "second," "third," etc., are used only to distinguish descriptions and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance. References to "one embodiment" or "some embodiments" in this specification mean that one or more embodiments of this application include a specific feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment. Therefore, the phrases "in one embodiment," "in some embodiments," "in other embodiments," "in still other embodiments," etc., appearing in different parts of this specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, but rather mean "one or more, but not all, embodiments," unless otherwise specifically emphasized. The terms "comprising," "including," "having," and variations thereof mean "including but not limited to," unless otherwise specifically emphasized.

[0026] Most pet washing and drying machines on the market rely on users visually assessing their pet's condition, manually setting the washing and care mode, and adding varying amounts of pet shampoo and conditioner for a standardized, semi-automated pet grooming process. However, this homogenized equipment can no longer meet the higher demands of today's pet market. Patent application number 202110188899.4 discloses a cleaning method, apparatus, and pet washing machine for pet washing. This application uses a camera to acquire the pet's identification information, then sets different washing programs based on the different cleaning characteristics of each pet, obtaining the corresponding operating parameters for the target washing program. It controls the pet washing machine to operate under these parameters, providing different personalized washing programs for different pets, helping to ensure effective pet washing. While this application addresses the aforementioned problems to some extent, it still has shortcomings. For example, it cannot set appropriate washing programs based on the pet's health status or mood, which may affect the pet's physical and mental health.

[0027] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this application provides a control method for a pet grooming machine. By combining the target pet's body and health parameters, a grooming mode, grooming solution formula, and drying mode are determined to match the target pet. The method then performs grooming on the target pet and makes adaptive adjustments based on the pet's mood during the process. This can meet the personalized and refined cleaning and drying needs of different pets and pets in different health and emotional states, improving the grooming effect while protecting the pet's physical and mental health.

[0028] like Figure 1 As shown, the control method for the pet grooming machine specifically includes the following steps:

[0029] Step S1: Obtain the target pet's body parameters and health parameters;

[0030] Step S2: Based on the body parameters and health parameters, determine the washing and care mode, washing and care liquid formula and drying mode that match the target pet, and then wash and care for the target pet.

[0031] Step S3: During the bathing and grooming process of the target pet, monitor the target pet's emotions;

[0032] Step S4: Adjust the bathing and grooming process according to the target pet's mood until the bathing and grooming is completed.

[0033] In one implementation method, step S1, the method for obtaining the target pet's body parameters and health parameters specifically includes:

[0034] Step S11: Acquire image information of the target pet, and then use image recognition technology to obtain the target pet's body parameters. These body parameters include the target pet's breed information, fur information, and volume information. The fur information refers to the length, straightness, curliness, and dirtiness of the target pet's fur. The texture and appearance of the fur indicate its dirtiness; for example, dirty fur is usually disordered and rough, and may contain dust, oil, clumps, knots, or discoloration. The volume information refers to the size of the target pet, which can be determined by the proportion of pixels the target pet occupies in the image. The image recognition technology used is existing technology and will not be elaborated upon here.

[0035] Step S12: Based on the image information of the target pet, a pre-trained deep learning model is used to determine whether the target pet has symptoms of skin allergy, thereby obtaining the health parameters of the target pet.

[0036] Before performing step S12, a deep learning model is trained to determine whether a pet has symptoms of skin allergy. The specific steps are as follows:

[0037] Step S121: Collect an image dataset including normal pet skin and allergic pet skin;

[0038] Step S122: Label the above image dataset to indicate which images represent normal skin and which represent allergic skin. This will be used as training labels for the deep learning model.

[0039] Step S123: Train a deep learning model using the labeled image dataset to identify whether a pet has a skin allergy. The deep learning model learns to extract features and patterns from the images for classification. In another embodiment, if the image dataset includes allergy symptoms of varying severity, the severity can also be labeled. This allows the deep learning model to not only determine whether a pet has a skin allergy but also to further determine the severity of the allergy, improving the precision of post-washing and grooming.

[0040] During step S12, the camera captures an image of the target pet's skin and transmits it to a deep learning model for real-time identification. The model outputs a classification result indicating whether the skin is allergic and saves it to health parameters. The method described in this embodiment tailors grooming needs based on the pet's health condition, providing more comfortable grooming conditions, making it more humane, and beneficial to protecting the pet's physical and mental health.

[0041] In one implementation, step S2, the method for determining the shampooing and grooming mode that matches the target pet, specifically includes: based on the health parameters of the target pet, if the target pet has symptoms of skin allergy, then selecting an anti-allergy shampooing and grooming mode to shampoo and groom the target pet; if the target pet does not have symptoms of skin allergy, then selecting a shampooing and grooming mode other than the anti-allergy shampooing and grooming mode based on the body parameters of the target pet.

[0042] The anti-allergy shampooing process is as follows: First, pre-wash the target pet with warm water at 30 to 38 degrees Celsius, gradually increasing the water flow from low to high speed while maintaining a controlled intensity to avoid irritating sensitive skin. Then, select a suitable shampoo formula for washing. During the washing process, the massage function can be selected or not. If massaging a pet with sensitive skin, use a low intensity setting and do not massage for too long. Also, avoid the sensitive skin areas as much as possible. After washing, rinse gently with water, gradually slowing the water flow. Finally, dry the target pet using the appropriate drying mode.

[0043] In addition to the hypoallergenic shampoo and grooming mode, the shampoo and grooming modes include a standard shampoo and grooming mode, a deep clean mode, a gentle shampoo and grooming mode, a sterilization and disinfection shampoo and grooming mode, and a quick shampoo and grooming mode. It should be noted that all shampoo and grooming modes can be manually selected by the user or intelligently selected by the pet grooming machine. The standard shampoo and grooming mode is suitable for most pets and is also the default shampoo and grooming mode. In this mode, the shampooing time, shampoo solution formula and dosage, drying temperature, drying time, and drying air speed are all executed according to preset standard values. When the pet grooming machine detects that the target pet's fur is particularly dirty or messy, it switches to the deep clean mode. In this mode, at least one of the following will be adjusted: shampooing time, shampoo solution formula and dosage, such as by using a deep cleansing agent. When the pet grooming machine detects that the target pet is a timid breed, a small breed, smaller than a preset size, or young (as manually input by the user), it switches to a gentle grooming mode. In this mode, at least one of the following will be adjusted: grooming time, shampoo usage, drying time, and airflow speed. For example, the amount of shampoo used will be reduced to avoid waste, and the drying temperature, drying time, and airflow speed will be lowered to avoid startling the target pet. Other grooming modes are selected according to different usage scenarios and will not be elaborated here.

[0044] In one implementation, step S2, the method for determining the shampoo formula matching the target pet, specifically includes: when the hypoallergenic shampoo mode is selected, mixing and diluting the hypoallergenic shampoo with water for shampooing the target pet. In cases of severe allergies, the method can also be set to directly shampoo the target pet with water. The method described in this embodiment avoids causing discomfort to pets with skin allergies due to shampoo containing irritating substances.

[0045] In one implementation method, step S2, the method for determining the drying mode matching the target pet, specifically includes: when the anti-allergy shampooing mode is selected, using a low-temperature drying mode to dry the target pet, or using a room-temperature air-drying mode to dry the target pet. In cases of severe allergies, the airflow speed and drying time can be appropriately reduced to minimize skin irritation.

[0046] In one implementation, step S3, the method for monitoring the target pet's emotion specifically includes: using a radar sensor to transmit a low-energy radio frequency signal to the target pet, and then obtaining the target pet's heart rate and respiratory rate from the transmitted signal. When both the target pet's heart rate and respiratory rate exceed a threshold, the target pet is considered to be emotionally agitated; otherwise, the target pet is considered to be emotionally calm. Preferably, the radar sensor is an Infineon XENSIV™ 60 GHz radar sensor, which can continuously monitor heart rate and respiratory rate non-contactly and has the advantages of low power consumption and small PCB size. The radar sensor transmits a low-energy RF signal through its Tx transmitting antenna and receives the reflected signal through its Rx receiving antenna. Typically, the detected target will produce a Doppler frequency shift, which can be measured by comparing the transmitted and reflected signals. This allows highly sensitive sensors, such as the aforementioned radar sensor, to detect minute chest movements caused by breathing and heartbeat, and through relevant algorithms, heart rate and respiratory rate can be accurately extracted from the signal. The advantage of the radar sensor is that it hardly affects the detected target. The only requirement is that the detected target and the radar sensor need to be within a certain distance (usually within 1.5 meters), preferably with the chest of the detected target facing the radar sensor, but this is not mandatory. Another advantage of the radar sensor is that it can detect through non-conductive materials, so even pets with long fur can have their heart rate and respiratory rate accurately extracted. The method described in this embodiment can accurately extract the target pet's heart rate and respiratory rate. When the heart rate and respiratory rate are too high, exceeding the threshold, it indicates that the target pet is emotionally agitated and may be resistant to bathing and grooming, with low willingness to cooperate. Conversely, low heart rate and respiratory rate indicate willingness to cooperate. Therefore, monitoring the target pet's emotions can optimize the subsequent bathing and grooming process, improving the bathing effect and efficiency.

[0047] As another implementation, step S3, the method for monitoring the target pet's emotion specifically includes: using a microphone to collect the target pet's sound, then calculating the sound's energy and fundamental frequency. If the sound's energy and fundamental frequency exceed a threshold at least a preset number of times within a certain time period, the target pet is considered emotionally agitated; otherwise, the target pet is considered emotionally calm. When the target pet's willingness to cooperate is low, it will generally vocalize in resistance. Therefore, if the pet's sound energy and fundamental frequency exceed the threshold multiple times (at least 3 times) within a short period, such as within 10 seconds, the pet is considered emotionally agitated. It should be noted that the sound energy and fundamental frequency represent sound intensity and pitch, respectively, that is, the loudness and frequency of the sound. When a pet is emotionally agitated, it will emit a louder, higher-frequency bark than usual, which can be used to infer the pet's emotion. Energy and fundamental frequency are temporal characteristics of sound; the calculation method is existing technology and will not be elaborated here.

[0048] In one implementation method, step S4, adjusting the bathing process according to the target pet's mood until the bathing is completed, specifically includes: when the target pet is agitated, interacting with it through an interactive mode while continuously monitoring its mood; if the target pet changes from agitation to calmness, continuing the current bathing process until completion; if the target pet remains agitated, reducing the bathing time, the amount of shampoo, and the drying time, and lowering the drying temperature and airflow. The interactive mode aims to soothe the pet, using methods such as playing music (customizable according to the pet's preferences), bubble baths, vibration, or massage to divert the pet's attention and thus change its mood. If the target pet remains uncooperative, reducing the bathing time and other methods reduces stimulation to the pet, thereby improving bathing efficiency.

[0049] In one implementation, after completing the grooming of the target pet, the pet grooming machine records the pet's grooming information and provides grooming suggestions for the next grooming session. The grooming information includes at least one of the following: the pet's body parameters, health parameters, grooming mode, shampoo formula, drying mode, and emotional parameters. The method described in this application, by collecting a large amount of historical grooming data, allows for data analysis to optimize grooming modes and algorithms, providing grooming services more tailored to the pet's needs. In one embodiment, the pet grooming machine's user interface can display the pet's current grooming history, allowing pet owners to understand the specific grooming situation and choose more suitable grooming measures. The target pet's identity can be identified using image recognition technology or tags (such as RFID tags or other electronic tags).

[0050] This application also provides an intelligent pet grooming machine, which is used to execute the steps of the control method for pet grooming machines. The intelligent pet grooming machine described in this application combines the target pet's body parameters and health parameters to determine a suitable grooming mode, shampoo formula, and drying mode for the target pet, and performs grooming on the target pet. Furthermore, it adaptively adjusts according to the pet's mood during the grooming process, meeting the personalized and refined cleaning and drying needs of different pets and pets in different health and emotional states, improving grooming results while protecting the pet's physical and mental health.

[0051] Those skilled in the art will understand that all or part of the processes in the methods of the above embodiments can be implemented by a computer program instructing related hardware. This computer program can be stored in a non-volatile computer-readable storage medium, and when executed, it can include the processes of the embodiments of the above methods. References to memory, storage, databases, or other media used in the embodiments provided in this application can all include non-volatile and / or volatile memory. Non-volatile memory may include read-only memory (ROM), programmable memory (PROM), electrically programmable memory (DPROM), electrically erasable programmable memory (DDPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory may include random access memory (RAM) or external cache memory.

[0052] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined in any way. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0053] The above embodiments are merely illustrative of several implementations of this application, and their descriptions are relatively specific and detailed. However, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the patent application. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this application, and these modifications and improvements all fall within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A control method for a pet grooming machine, characterized by, The control method specifically includes the following steps: Step S1: Obtain the target pet's body parameters and health parameters; Step S2: Based on the body parameters and health parameters, determine the washing and care mode, washing and care liquid formula and drying mode that match the target pet, and then wash and care for the target pet. Step S3: During the bathing and grooming process of the target pet, monitor the target pet's emotions; Step S4: Adjust the bathing and grooming process according to the target pet's mood until the bathing and grooming is completed; In step S1, the method for obtaining the target pet's body parameters and health parameters specifically includes: Step S11: Collect image information of the target pet, and then use image recognition technology to obtain the body parameters of the target pet. The body parameters include the breed information, fur information and volume information of the target pet. Step S12: Based on the image information of the target pet, a pre-trained deep learning model is used to determine whether the target pet has symptoms of skin allergy, thereby obtaining the health parameters of the target pet.

2. The control method for a pet grooming machine according to claim 1, wherein In step S2, the method for determining the grooming mode that matches the target pet specifically includes: Based on the target pet's health parameters, if the target pet exhibits symptoms of skin allergy, an anti-allergy shampoo and care mode is selected for shampooing and care. If the target pet does not exhibit symptoms of skin allergy, a shampoo and care mode other than the anti-allergy shampoo and care mode is selected based on the target pet's body parameters.

3. The control method for a pet grooming machine according to claim 2, wherein In step S2, the method for determining the shampoo formula that matches the target pet specifically includes: When the hypoallergenic shampoo and conditioner mode is selected, the hypoallergenic shampoo and conditioner solution is mixed and diluted with water for use in washing and conditioning the target pet.

4. The control method for a pet grooming machine according to claim 2, wherein In step S2, the method for determining the drying mode that matches the target pet specifically includes: When the hypoallergenic shampoo and conditioner mode is selected, the target pet is dried using the low-temperature drying mode or the target pet is dried using the room temperature air drying mode.

5. The control method for a pet grooming machine according to claim 1, wherein In step S3, the method for monitoring the target pet's emotions specifically includes: The radar sensor emits a low-energy radio frequency signal to the target pet, and then obtains the target pet's heart rate and respiratory rate from the emitted signal. When the target pet's heart rate and respiratory rate both exceed the threshold, the target pet is considered to be emotionally agitated; otherwise, the target pet is considered to be emotionally calm.

6. The control method for a pet grooming machine according to claim 1, wherein In step S3, the method for monitoring the target pet's emotions specifically includes: The target pet's voice is captured using a microphone, and then the energy and fundamental frequency of the voice are calculated. If the energy and fundamental frequency of the voice exceed a threshold at least a preset number of times within a certain period of time, the target pet is considered to be emotionally agitated; otherwise, the target pet is considered to be emotionally calm.

7. The control method for a pet grooming machine according to claim 5 or 6, wherein In step S4, the method of adjusting the bathing and grooming process according to the target pet's mood until the bathing and grooming is completed specifically includes: When the target pet is agitated, interact with the target pet through the interactive mode and continuously monitor the target pet's mood. If the target pet changes from agitation to calmness, continue the current washing and grooming process until the washing and grooming is finished. If the target pet is still agitated, reduce the washing and grooming time, the amount of shampoo and conditioner used, and the drying time, and reduce the temperature and airflow during drying.

8. The control method for a pet grooming machine according to claim 1, wherein After completing the washing and grooming of the target pet, the pet grooming machine records the pet's washing and grooming information and provides washing and grooming suggestions for the next time the target pet is washed and groomed. The pet's washing and grooming information includes at least one of the following: the pet's body parameters, health parameters, washing and grooming mode, washing and grooming solution formula, drying mode, and emotional parameters.

9. An intelligent pet grooming machine, characterized in that, The intelligent pet grooming machine is used to perform the steps of the control method for a pet grooming machine as described in any one of claims 1 to 8.

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