Clothing care device with control device

Abstract

The invention relates to a laundry care apparatus and a method of operating the same. The laundry care apparatus comprises: a laundry chamber for receiving laundry, each having an identification element associated with an identification mark; and a control device configured to execute a laundry care program to treat laundry in the laundry chamber. The laundry care apparatus includes a reading device connected to the control device and configured to read the identification mark associated with the identification element of the laundry during a first time interval and a second time interval following the first time interval. The read-out device or the control device is configured to store the identification of the laundry read out during the first time interval in a first laundry list. The read-out device or the control device is configured to store the identification of the laundry read out during the second time interval in a second laundry list. The readout device or the control device is configured to determine a change between the first laundry list and the second laundry list based on a comparison of the identification marks of the first laundry list and the second laundry list.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a laundry care device with a control device and a method for operating a laundry care device. Background Art

[0002] Intelligent systems can be implemented in laundry care devices to support users in operating the laundry care devices. It may be necessary to recognize laundry by machine. In order to automatically recognize laundry, it may be necessary to equip a large number of laundry items belonging to the user with identification elements so that the laundry can be uniquely recognized by the machine.

[0003] EP3514280A1 discloses a method for sorting laundry to be processed.

[0004] EP2527517A1 discloses a dryer with at least three RFID reading units.

[0005] EP2302122A1 discloses a washing machine with a control device and at least one sensor for detecting at least one operating parameter. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The basic task of the present invention is to disclose a laundry care device and a method for operating a laundry care device by which laundry can be detected as effectively as possible.

[0007] The above task is solved by the preferred technical solution of the present invention. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the alternative technical solutions, the description and the drawings.

[0008] According to a first aspect, the above task is solved by a laundry care device, which includes: a laundry chamber for receiving laundry, wherein the laundry respectively has identification elements associated with identification identifiers; and a control device, wherein the control device is configured to execute a laundry care program to process the laundry received in the laundry chamber, wherein the laundry care device includes a reading device, which is connected to the control device and is configured to read the identification identifiers associated with the identification elements of the laundry during a first time interval and a second time interval after the first time interval, wherein the reading device or the control device is configured to store the identification identifiers of the laundry read during the first time interval in a first laundry list, wherein the reading device or the control device is configured to store the identification identifiers of the laundry read during the second time interval in a second laundry list, and the reading device or the control device is configured to determine a change between the first laundry list and the second laundry list based on a comparison of the identification identifiers of the first laundry list and the second laundry list.

[0009] The technical advantages achieved thereby are that the control device can effectively detect the laundry. Thus, the machine can quickly identify the laundry and calculate a suitable laundry care program and / or the user identity of the user of the laundry care device, since the calculation is only based on the changes.

[0010] The term "laundry list" should generally be understood in a broad sense. The laundry list can also be understood as at least one value or data set stored in a volatile or non-volatile memory, which is assigned to at least a part of the laundry identification identifier.

[0011] The first laundry list can be an unambiguous (or explicit) laundry list, i.e., a laundry list in which the identification identifiers of the laundry are not multiply included. The second laundry list can be an unambiguous (or explicit) laundry list, i.e., a laundry list in which the identification identifiers of the laundry are not multiply included.

[0012] The reading device can identify the laundry according to the respective identification identifiers of the laundry. The control device can be configured to determine the user information of the user of the laundry care device according to the change for display through the user interface, and / or adjust or determine the laundry care program according to the change.

[0013] The change between the first laundry list and the second laundry list can include the identification identifier that is not included in the first laundry list but is included in the second laundry list. In this regard, the change between the first laundry list and the second laundry list can include the identification identifier of the newly detected laundry in the laundry chamber.

[0014] The change between the first laundry list and the second laundry list can include the identification identifier that is included in the first laundry list but is no longer included in the second laundry list. In this regard, the change between the first laundry list and the second laundry list can include the identification identifier of the laundry that is no longer detected in the laundry chamber.

[0015] In particular, the laundry can respectively have a plurality of identification elements. For example, the same identification identifier of a piece of laundry can be associated with a plurality of identification elements of the laundry. For example, the plurality of identification elements can include RFID, QR code, and / or alphanumeric characters, especially text characters.

[0016] In particular, the identification elements of the laundry can be respectively associated with a plurality of identification identifiers of the laundry. For example, when using radio frequency identification (RFID) with an electronic product code (EPC) and a transponder identification code (TID), an identification element of a piece of laundry can be associated with a plurality of identification identifiers of the laundry.

[0017] A laundry care device can be understood as a device for laundry care, such as a clothes dryer, a washing machine or a washer-dryer. In particular, such a laundry care device can be understood as a household laundry care device. In other words, it is a laundry care device used in household management and processes laundry in normal household quantities.

[0018] In one embodiment, the identification element includes a laundry tag and / or an identification thread sewn on the laundry.

[0019] In one embodiment, the reading device or the control device is configured to store the first laundry list and / or the second laundry list in the non-volatile memory of the laundry care device. The reading device or the control device can be configured to read out the first laundry list and / or the second laundry list from the memory in case of an error and provide it to the control device, and / or provide the first laundry list and / or the second laundry list to the control device at fixed time intervals.

[0020] In this way, the laundry in the laundry chamber can be identified even after a fault event occurs. For example, the fault event can be a power failure of the laundry care device and / or the reading device, a reading error of the reading device or a communication error of the laundry care device.

[0021] In an advantageous embodiment, the reading device is configured to read out a part of the laundry identification mark and store the laundry identification mark read out during the first time interval in the first laundry list and / or store the laundry identification mark read out during the second time interval in the second laundry list when this part of the laundry identification mark corresponds to the reference identification information of the laundry.

[0022] The technical advantage achieved thereby is that only the identification marks assigned to the laundry can be stored in the first and / or second laundry lists. For example, this part of the identification mark can be a common prefix and / or a common suffix of the identification mark. The reading device can be configured not to store the identification mark of the laundry read out during the first time interval in the first laundry list and / or not to store the identification mark of the laundry read out during the second time interval in the second laundry list when this part of the laundry identification mark does not correspond to the reference identification information of the laundry.

[0023] The reference identification information can be the reference identification information assigned to all the laundry known to the laundry care device.

[0024] In an advantageous embodiment, the laundry care device includes a drum drive device for rotating the laundry chamber, wherein the control device is configured to activate the drum drive device during the first and / or second time intervals.

[0025] The advantages achieved thereby are that by rotating the laundry compartment, it is possible to more effectively detect laundry located in the shadow area of the reading device and / or laundry blocked by other laundry. Here, the control device can rotate the laundry compartment at a certain rotational speed at which the laundry is mixed together and in particular does not lean against the laundry compartment.

[0026] In particular, the control device can be configured to activate the drum drive device during the first and / or second and / or third time intervals. For example, the control device can be configured to activate the drum drive device during all time intervals.

[0027] In an advantageous embodiment, the laundry care device includes a user interface, in particular a display screen of the laundry care device and / or a user interface connected to a mobile terminal device, wherein the user interface is configured to receive and display user information based on the change between the first laundry list and the second laundry list from the control device.

[0028] The technical advantage achieved thereby is that user information can be displayed to the user based on the change.

[0029] In an advantageous embodiment, the user information includes the number of laundry items received in the laundry compartment, and / or the weight of the laundry items received in the laundry compartment, and / or the respective visual representation of the laundry items received in the laundry compartment, and / or the processing instructions for the laundry items received in the laundry compartment.

[0030] The visual representation of the laundry items especially includes the respective images of the laundry items. The visual representation of the laundry items, especially the images, can be stored in the memory of the laundry device and / or in a server. These visual representations can be assigned to the respective manufacturer products of the laundry items.

[0031] The technical advantage achieved thereby is that information regarding the effective operation of the laundry care device can be provided to the user through the user information.

[0032] For example, the processing instructions for the laundry items received in the laundry compartment can include the detergent selected for the laundry items from a large number of detergents.

[0033] Alternatively or additionally, the user information can also include the processing history of the laundry items, such as the frequency of washing, drying, and / or dehydration of the laundry items.

[0034] Alternatively or additionally, the user information can also indicate the type of the laundry items received in the laundry compartment.

[0035] Alternatively or additionally, the user information can also indicate which laundry items can be removed from the laundry compartment and / or cannot be loaded into the laundry compartment in order to select an efficient laundry care program for the remaining laundry items in the laundry compartment.

[0036] Alternatively or additionally, the user information may also indicate which items of laundry can still be received in the laundry tub of the laundry care appliance, in particular in a laundry basket, before the at least one sensor element's detection area, in order to enable efficient processing of the laundry.

[0037] Alternatively or additionally, the user information may also indicate which items of laundry require additional treatment based on the detection results of an external reading device arranged outside the laundry care appliance. For example, the external reading device may be included in an external washing machine, an external dryer, and / or a laundry storage location.

[0038] In an advantageous embodiment, the control device is configured to use, as a distinguishing feature, items of laundry that are not included in the first laundry list from the second laundry list based on the change between the first laundry list and the second laundry list, wherein the control device is configured to determine the user information based on this distinguishing feature.

[0039] The technical advantage achieved thereby is that the user can be shown, via the user information, that the most recently added items of laundry have characteristics that distinguish them from the remaining items of laundry in the laundry room.

[0040] In an advantageous embodiment, the distinguishing feature includes the color of the laundry and / or information on the suitability of the laundry for treatment in the laundry care appliance and / or parameter limits of the laundry care program parameters.

[0041] If the distinguishing feature includes the color of the laundry, the technical advantage achieved is that undesired color changes of the laundry during the laundry care program can be prevented.

[0042] If the distinguishing feature includes information on whether the laundry is suitable for treatment in the laundry care appliance, the technical advantage achieved is that laundry that is not suitable for treatment in the laundry care appliance can be prevented from being damaged.

[0043] If the distinguishing feature includes the parameters of the laundry care program, the technical advantage achieved is that the user can select a laundry care program for the remaining laundry, which can be run, for example, in a time-optimized, energy-consumption-optimized, water-consumption-optimized, and / or lifespan-optimized manner.

[0044] In an advantageous embodiment, the control device is configured to select a laundry care program from a plurality of laundry care programs of the laundry care appliance based on the change between the first laundry list and the second laundry list, wherein the user information includes the selected laundry care program.

[0045] The advantage achieved thereby is that the user can be assisted in selecting a suitable laundry care program.

[0046] In an advantageous embodiment, the control device is configured to select a laundry care program from a plurality of laundry care programs of the laundry care device based on the changes between a first laundry list and a second laundry list, wherein the laundry care device includes a user input element for a user to input a user input for the automatic mode of the laundry care device, and wherein the control device is configured to set the selected laundry care program without further input from the user.

[0047] The advantage achieved thereby is that the user can operate the laundry care device particularly simply.

[0048] In an advantageous embodiment, the laundry care device can be connected to a server, in particular a cloud server, wherein the control device is configured to transmit an identification identifier of the changes between the first laundry list and the second laundry list to the server and to receive user information from the server and / or receive a selected laundry care program from the plurality of laundry care programs based on the changes between the first laundry list and the second laundry list.

[0049] The advantage achieved thereby is that the server can provide more powerful processing capabilities and / or more advanced algorithms to determine user information and / or select a laundry care program.

[0050] In an advantageous embodiment, the reading device includes an RFID reading device and the identification element includes an RFID element, wherein the identification identifier particularly includes an Electronic Product Code (EPC). If the identification identifier includes an EPC, the reading device can be configured to identify the laundry only based on the EPC.

[0051] The technical advantage achieved thereby is that the identification element can contain a unique code predefined by the manufacturer that cannot be changed, such as a TID (Transponder Identification Code), which can guarantee the uniqueness of the identification. Through an EPC that is particularly changeable, personalized coding and a unique identification identifier of the laundry can be achieved. Here, the EPC can be protected by a password to prevent unauthorized changes by third parties.

[0052] The RFID reading device can be configured to read the laundry based on the ISO18000-63 standard. The RFID reading device can be configured to first read the EPC of the RFID element of the laundry and then read further data of the RFID element of the laundry. Thereby, the detection rate of the laundry can be increased.

[0053] The RFID reading device can be configured to read the RFID element of the laundry at short time intervals, in particular less than 0.05 seconds, preferably about once every 0.01 seconds.

[0054] Alternatively or additionally, the reading device includes an optical reading device and the identification element includes an optical code, in particular a one-dimensional code such as a barcode and / or a two-dimensional code such as a QR code or a data matrix.

[0055] Alternatively or additionally, the reading device further includes an electromagnetic reading device, in particular an NFC reading device, a RAIN FC reading device, a radar reading device, and / or a Bluetooth reading device, for reading the identification label from the identification element of the clothing.

[0056] In an advantageous embodiment, the reading device or the control device is configured to store the clothing identification code read during the third time interval in a third clothing list, where the third time interval is between the first time interval and the second time interval. The reading device or the control device is configured to determine a further change between the first clothing list and the third clothing list based on a further comparison of the identification codes of the first clothing list and the third clothing list. Wherein, the reading device or the control device is configured to detect a change between the first clothing list and the second clothing list for the identification numbers of the clothing not included in the first clothing list based on a comparison of the identification labels of the first clothing list and the second clothing list when the change between the first clothing list and the second clothing list corresponds to the further change between the first clothing list and the third clothing list.

[0057] The technical advantage achieved thereby is that only the clothing detected continuously twice can be detected as additional clothing in the said change. This can improve the accuracy of the detection by the reading device.

[0058] In an advantageous embodiment, the reading device or the control device is configured to detect a change between the first clothing list and the second clothing list for the identification numbers of the clothing not included in the second clothing list based on a comparison of the identification labels of the first clothing list and the second clothing list when the third time interval between the first time interval and the second time interval is greater than a time threshold.

[0059] The technical advantage achieved thereby is that only the clothing not detected during the third time interval in the said change can be detected as the clothing taken out. This can improve the accuracy of the detection by the reading device. The time threshold can be between 2 seconds and 3 seconds, in particular 2.5 seconds.

[0060] In an advantageous embodiment, the reading device includes at least one sensor element, wherein the at least one sensor element is arranged in the window of the device door of the clothing care device, and / or on the rear side of the front cover of the clothing care device above the device door, and / or on the rear side of the front cover of the clothing care device below the device door, and / or on the front side of the front cover of the clothing care device above the device door, and / or on the clothing driving member in the clothing chamber of the clothing care device, and / or at the clothing storage place outside the clothing care device.

[0061] If the at least one sensor element is arranged in a window of a device door of a laundry care device, the technical advantage achieved is that the laundry chamber can be detected completely or to a large extent.

[0062] If the at least one sensor element is arranged on the rear side of a front cover of a laundry care device above and / or below the device door, the technical advantage achieved is that the laundry can be effectively detected even when the device door of the laundry care device is open.

[0063] If the at least one sensor element is arranged on the front side of a front cover of a laundry care device above the device door, the technical advantage achieved is that the laundry located at the front of the laundry care device can also be detected.

[0064] If the at least one sensor element is arranged on a laundry driving member of a laundry chamber of a laundry care device, the technical advantage achieved is that the laundry chamber can be detected completely. In addition, the laundry can be effectively detected even when the laundry tub rotates. The energy supply of the sensor element can be realized by electromagnetic induction when the tub rotates. In particular, a coil in the laundry driving member can rotate in a magnetic field (established by a fixed part in the tub of the laundry care device), so as to charge the battery of the sensor element when the tub rotates. In particular, the at least one sensor element can be arranged on a plurality of laundry driving members of a laundry chamber of a laundry care device.

[0065] If the at least one sensor element is arranged at a laundry storage location outside the laundry care device, the technical advantage achieved is that the laundry can be detected at a location far from the laundry care device (for example, within a household). In this case, the sensor element arranged at the laundry storage location outside the laundry care device can be connected to the laundry care device through a wireless communication network, in particular, a WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network).

[0066] Alternatively or additionally, the sensor element can also be arranged at a certain distance from the device door, in particular, on the front side and / or the rear side of a front cover of a laundry care device, at a device opening of the laundry care device for the device door. The sensor element can be arranged at any position around the device opening.

[0067] In an advantageous embodiment, the at least one sensor element includes an antenna movable by a driver, and the control device is configured to set a first position of the movable antenna during a first time interval and set a second position of the movable antenna during a second time interval, the second position being different from the first position.

[0068] The technical advantage achieved thereby is that the detection area of the sensor element can be changed by the movable antenna. In this way, the laundry can be detected more effectively.

[0069] In an advantageous embodiment, the laundry care device comprises a shielding device, in particular a metallic coating of the laundry care device housing and / or electrical conductors within the laundry care device door, wherein the shielding device is configured to shield the reading of laundry within the laundry chamber by the reading device from the exterior of the laundry care device.

[0070] The technical advantage of this is that laundry directly in front of the laundry care device can be prevented from being accidentally read, in particular by sensor elements facing the laundry chamber. This enables more effective detection of the laundry. In addition, the shielding also enables the reading device, in particular the sensor elements, to unambiguously (or clearly) distinguish between laundry inside and outside the device. For example, laundry currently being worn or carried by the user is not counted as laundry within the laundry care device.

[0071] According to a second aspect, the task is solved by a method for operating a laundry care device, the laundry care device comprising: a laundry chamber for receiving laundry, wherein the laundry each have an identification element associated with an identification identifier; and a control device, wherein the control device is configured to execute a laundry care program for processing the laundry received in the laundry chamber, wherein the laundry care device comprises a reading device connected to the control device and configured to read the identification identifier associated with the identification element of the laundry, wherein the method comprises: reading the identification identifier of the laundry by the reading device during a first time interval and during a second time interval after the first time interval; storing the identification identifier of the laundry read during the first time interval in a first laundry list by the reading device or the control device; storing the identification identifier of the laundry read during the second time interval in a second laundry list by the reading device or the control device; and determining a change between the first laundry list and the second laundry list by the reading device or the control device based on a comparison of the identification identifiers of the first laundry list and the second laundry list.

[0072] According to a third aspect, the task of the present invention is solved by a system comprising the laundry care device according to the first aspect, as well as laundry, a server, a mobile device connectable to the user interface of the laundry care device, and / or an external reading device.

[0073] The external reading device may be configured to read the identification identifier of the identification element of laundry outside the laundry care device. After a user input, the display screen of the mobile device or the laundry care device can register the laundry in the database of the server according to the identification identifier read by the external reading device. For example, the external reading device may be arranged in the user's wardrobe and / or integrated into the mobile device.

[0074] An embodiment of the laundry care device according to the first aspect is also an embodiment of the method according to the second aspect and the system according to the third aspect.

[0075] An embodiment of the method according to the second aspect is also an embodiment of the laundry care device according to the first aspect and of the system according to the third aspect.

[0076] An embodiment of the system according to the third aspect is also an embodiment of the laundry care device according to the first aspect and of the method according to the second aspect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0077] Embodiments of the present invention are shown in the drawings and are described in detail below.

[0078] In the drawings:

[0079] Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a laundry care device according to one embodiment;

[0080] Figure 2 shows a schematic view of a laundry care device according to one embodiment;

[0081] Figure 3 shows a schematic view of a laundry care device according to one embodiment;

[0082] Figure 4 shows a schematic view of a laundry care device according to one embodiment; and

[0083] Figure 5 shows a schematic view of a method for operating a laundry care device according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0084] Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a laundry care device 100 according to one embodiment, such as a clothes dryer, a washing machine or a washer-dryer. The laundry care device 100 may have a housing 102 which has Figure 1 a device opening 121 not shown therein, which device opening may be closed by Figure 1 a device door 119 not shown therein for loading the laundry care device 100. The user of the laundry care device 100 may load laundry 103a, b into a laundry compartment 101 which is arranged within the housing 102 and which is Figure 1 only schematically shown therein.

[0085] As Figure 1 schematically shown, the laundry 103a, b each have identification elements 105a, b which are associated with an identification mark. A control device 107 of the laundry care device 100 is configured to execute a laundry care program for processing the laundry 103a, b received in the laundry compartment 101.

[0086] The clothing care device 100 includes a reading device 109, which is connected to the control device 107 and configured to read an identification mark associated with the identification element 105ab of the clothing 103ab during a first time interval and a second time interval after the first time interval. The reading device 109 can be integrated in the clothing care device 100 or arranged on the clothing care device 100, in particular on the outer side of the housing 102.

[0087] The reading device 109 or the control device 107 is configured to store the identification marks of the clothing 103a, b read during the first time interval in a first clothing list and store the identification marks of the clothing 103a, b read during the second time interval in a second clothing list.

[0088] The reading device 109 can be configured to read a part of the identification marks of the clothing 103a, b, and if this part of the identification marks of the clothing 103a, b corresponds to the reference identification information of the clothing 103a, b, store the identification marks of the clothing 103a, b read during the first time interval in the first clothing list and / or store the identification marks of the clothing 103a, b read during the second time interval in the second clothing list.

[0089] Accordingly, the reading device 109 is configured not to store the identification marks of the clothing 103a, b read during the first time interval in the first clothing list and / or not to store the identification marks of the clothing 103a, b read during the second time interval in the second clothing list when a part of the identification marks of the clothing 103a, b does not correspond to the reference identification information of the clothing 103a, b.

[0090] The reading device 109 or the control device 107 is configured to determine a change between the first clothing list and the second clothing list based on a comparison of the identification marks of the first clothing list and the second clothing list.

[0091] In addition, the reading device 109 or the control device 107 may be configured to store the identification identifiers of the garments 103a, b read during the third time interval in a third garment list. The third time interval may be between the first time interval and the second time interval. The reading device 109 or the control device 107 may be configured to determine a further change between the first garment list and the third garment list based on a further comparison of the identification identifiers of the first garment list and the third garment list. The reading device 109 or the control device 107 may be configured to detect a change between the first garment list and the second garment list based on a comparison of the identification identifiers of the first garment list and the second garment list for the identification numbers of the garments 103a, b not included in the first garment list when the change between the first garment list and the second garment list corresponds to the further change between the first garment list and the third garment list.

[0092] Alternatively or additionally, the reading device 109 or the control device 107 may be configured to detect a change between the first garment list and the second garment list based on a comparison of the identification identifiers of the first garment list and the second garment list for the identification numbers of the garments 103a, b not included in the second garment list when a third time interval between the first time interval and the second time interval is greater than a time threshold.

[0093] As Figure 1 shown, the garment care device 100 may include a user interface configured as a display screen 111. Alternatively or additionally, even if Figure 1 not shown, the user interface may be a user interface connected to a mobile terminal of a user of the garment care device 100. The user interface may be configured to receive and display user information based on a change between the first garment list and the second garment list from the control device 107.

[0094] The user information may include the number of the garments 103a, b received in the garment chamber 101, and / or the weight of the garments 103a, b received in the garment chamber 101, and / or the respective visual representations of the garments 103a, b received in the garment chamber 101, and / or the processing instructions for the garments 103a, b received in the garment chamber 101.

[0095] The control device 107 may be configured to identify the garments 103a, b of the second garment list not included in the first garment list as distinguishing features based on a change between the first garment list and the second garment list. The control device 107 may be configured to determine user information based on the distinguishing features. The distinguishing features may include the color of the garments 103ab and / or the information on the suitability of the garments 103ab for processing in the garment care device 100 and / or the parameter limits of the garment care program parameters.

[0096] In addition, the control device 107 may be configured to select a laundry care program from a plurality of laundry care programs of the laundry care device 100 based on the changes between the first laundry list and the second laundry list. The user information may include the selected laundry care program. Alternatively or additionally, the laundry care device 100 may further include a user input element for the user to input to the automatic mode of the laundry care device 100. The control device 107 is configured to set the selected laundry care program only by manipulating the input element without further input from the user.

[0097] In addition, as Figure 1 Schematically shown, the laundry care device 100 may be connected to a server 115, particularly a cloud server. The control device 107 may be configured to transmit an identification identifier of the changes between the first laundry list and the second laundry list to the server 115 and receive user information based on the changes between the first laundry list and the second laundry list and / or the selected laundry care program from the plurality of laundry care programs from the server 115.

[0098] For example, a user of the laundry care device 100 may obtain a digital assistant based on the changes through a user interface. With the help of this digital assistant, the real and virtual interaction and management of the laundry 103a, b can be simplified. Here, the digital assistant can inform the user through the user information how to optimize the laundry 103a, b during their entire life cycle so as to extend the service life of the laundry 103a, b through the optimization process.

[0099] Figure 2 Schematic diagram showing the laundry care device 100 according to an embodiment. The laundry care device 100 may be the laundry care device 100 described Figure 1 As Figure 2 shown, the laundry care device 100 may have a device opening 121, which can be closed by a device door 119 for loading the laundry care device 100.

[0100] As Figure 2 shown, the reading device 109 may include at least one sensor element 113a, b. The first sensor element 113a may be arranged on the front side of the front cover 117 of the laundry care device 100 above the device door 119 and the device opening 121. The first sensor element 113a may be configured to detect the laundry 103a, b outside the laundry care device 100.

[0101] The second sensor element 113b may be arranged on the rear side of the front cover 117 of the laundry care device 100 above the device door 119 and the device opening 121, even when Figure 2is covered by the front cover 117. The second sensor element 113b can be configured to detect the articles of laundry 130a, b within the laundry care device 100, in particular the articles of laundry within the laundry compartment 101.

[0102] For example, if articles of laundry 103a, b enter the detection area of one of the sensor elements 113a, 113b, it can be checked whether the other sensor element 113a, 113b also detects the articles of laundry 103a, 103b within a certain time interval, in particular a short time interval, so as to detect the movement direction of the articles of laundry 103a, 103b. On this basis, it can be detected whether the articles of laundry 103a, 103b are loaded into the laundry compartment 101, or whether the articles of laundry 103a, 103b are removed from the laundry compartment 101.

[0103] If the first sensor element 113a, for example, detects articles of laundry 103a, b arranged outside the laundry care device 100 within a further time interval, in particular a longer time interval, the control device 107 can be configured to identify the articles of laundry 103a, b arranged outside the laundry care device 100 as articles of laundry to be processed in the laundry care device 100. The control device 107 can be further configured to determine user information based on the identification markings of the articles of laundry 103a, b arranged outside the laundry care device 100. For example, this can include laundry care program suggestions or detergent suggestions.

[0104] The advantage achieved thereby is that articles of laundry 103a, b suitable for being processed in the laundry care device 100 can already be identified during the loading process, and in case of unsuitability, a warning can be issued to the customer in the user information based on the identification. In addition, the user information and / or the laundry care program can be adjusted during loading or unloading, even in the case of alternating loading or unloading, for example, removing the articles of laundry 103a, b during the loading process. In addition, in the case where the device door 119 is open, detection can also be performed by the reading device 109, in particular for detecting the articles of laundry 103a, b arranged outside the laundry care device 100.

[0105] Figure 3 A schematic view of a laundry care device 100 according to an embodiment is shown. The laundry care device 100 can be the Figure 1 laundry care device 100 described. As Figure 3 shown, the laundry care device 100 can have a device opening 121, which can be closed by a device door 119 for loading the laundry care device 100.

[0106] In addition, as Figure 3As shown, the reading device 109 may include at least one sensor element 113a, b. The first sensor element 113a may be arranged above the device door 119 on the rear side of the front cover 117 of the laundry care device 100. The second sensor element 113b may be arranged below the device door 119 on the rear side of the front cover 117 of the laundry care device 100.

[0107] The advantage achieved thereby is that the sensor elements 113a, b are not visible to the user, and the front cover 117 of the laundry care device 100 can have an aesthetically pleasing shape.

[0108] Even if not shown in Figure 3 The laundry care device 100 may also include a shielding device, in particular a metal coating of the housing 102 of the laundry care device 100 and / or electrical conductors arranged in the device door 119 of the laundry care device 100, wherein the shielding device is configured to shield the reading of the laundry 103a, b in the laundry chamber 101 by the reading device 109 from the outside of the laundry care device 100.

[0109] As Figure 3 shown, the device door 119 may be connected to the laundry chamber 101 by a sleeve 123 made especially of rubber. The sensor elements 113a, b may be configured to detect the laundry 103a, b through the sleeve 123 when the laundry is loaded into or unloaded from the laundry chamber 101. In particular, the sensor elements 113a, b may be configured as RFID sensors. The reading device 109 may include an RFID reading device 109 and the identification elements 105a, b may include RFID elements.

[0110] The laundry care device 100 may further include a tub drive device for rotating the laundry chamber 101. The control device 107 may be configured to activate the tub drive device during a first and / or second time interval.

[0111] Thus, for example, the laundry 103a, b located in the shadow region 127 outside the detection region 125 of the sensor elements 113a, b can be rotated within the laundry chamber 101 into the detection region 125 by the rotation of the laundry chamber 101 and thus be effectively detected.

[0112] Alternatively or additionally, the at least one sensor element 113a, b may include an antenna movable by a drive. The control device 107 may be configured to set a first position of the movable antenna during a first time interval and a second position different from the first position of the movable antenna during a second time interval.

[0113] Figure 4Schematic diagram showing the detection area 125 of the reading device 109 of the laundry care device 100 according to an embodiment. The laundry care device 100 can be the laundry care device 100 described for Figure 1 Even if not shown in Figure 4 , at least one sensor element 113a, b can also be arranged in the window of the device door 119 of the laundry care device 100.

[0114] The sensor elements 113a, b arranged in the device door 119 can particularly include RFID antennas. The sensor elements 113a, b arranged in the device door 119 can be configured as circularly polarized antennas. In this way, even RFID tags with unpredictable positions in the laundry chamber 101 can be effectively detected. Compared with linearly polarized antennas etc., circularly polarized antennas can detect more RFID tags and are also more stable in positioning RFID tags in the laundry chamber 101.

[0115] Alternatively or additionally, the sensor elements 113a, b arranged in the device door 119 can also include linearly polarized antennas. This can increase the effective range and / or reading accuracy of the sensor elements 113a, b.

[0116] The advantage achieved thereby is that, as shown by the detection area 125 in Figure 4 , the sensor elements 113a, b can fully detect the laundry chamber 101. In addition, the sensor elements 113a, b can be installed simply and quickly. For example, the power supply and / or data connection of the sensor elements 113a, b arranged in the device door 119 can be integrated into the laundry care device 100 or can also be provided separately. For example, the antenna cable of the sensor element 113ab can be led out from the side of the device door 119 and then led into the laundry care device 100 or connected to the reading device 109 arranged on the laundry care device 100.

[0117] Figure 5 Schematic diagram showing a method 200 for operating the laundry care device 100 according to an embodiment. As already described for Figure 1 , the laundry care device 100 includes: a laundry chamber 101 for receiving laundry 103a, b, wherein the laundry 103a, b each have an identification element 105a, b associated with an identification identifier; and a control device 107, wherein the control device 107 is configured to execute a laundry care program to process the laundry 103a, b received in the laundry chamber 101, wherein the laundry care device 100 includes a reading device 109, which is connected to the control device 107 and is configured to read the identification identifier associated with the identification elements 105a, b of the laundry 103a, b.

[0118] As a first method step, the method 200 includes reading out 201 the identification markings of the items of laundry 103a, b by means of a reading device 109 during a first time interval and during a second time interval following the first time interval.

[0119] As a second method step, the method 200 includes storing 203 the identification markings of the items of laundry 103a, b read out during the first time interval in a first laundry list by means of the reading device 109 or the control device 107.

[0120] As a third method step, the method 200 includes storing 205 the identification markings of the items of laundry 103a, b read out during the second time interval in a second laundry list by means of the reading device 109 or the control device 107.

[0121] As a fourth method step, the method 200 includes determining 207 a change between the first laundry list and the second laundry list by means of the reading device 109 or the control device 107 based on a comparison of the identification markings of the first laundry list and the second laundry list.

[0122] All features explained and shown in the various embodiments of the invention can be provided in different combinations in the subject matter of the invention in order to achieve their advantageous effects simultaneously.

[0123] The scope of protection of the invention is given by the claims and is not restricted by the features explained in the description or shown in the figures.

[0124] List of reference signs:

[0125] 100 Laundry care appliance

[0126] 101 Laundry compartment

[0127] 102 Housing

[0128] 103a, b Items of laundry

[0129] 105a, b Identification elements

[0130] 107 Control device

[0131] 109 Reading device

[0132] 111 Display

[0133] 113a, b Sensor elements

[0134] 115 Server

[0135] 117 Front cover

[0136] 119 Appliance door

[0137] 121 Appliance opening

[0138] 123 Sleeve

[0139] 125 Detection Area

[0140] 127 Shadow Area

[0141] 200 Method for Operating a Clothing Care Device

[0142] 201 First Method Step: Reading Out an Identification Mark

[0143] 203 Second Method Step: Storing the Identification Mark Read Out During a First Time Interval

[0144] 205 Third Method Step: Storing the Identification Mark Read Out During a Second Time Interval

[0145] 207 Fourth Method Step: Determining the Changes Between a First Clothing List and a Second Clothing List.

Claims

1. A clothing care device (100), comprising: A laundry chamber (101) for receiving laundry (103a, b), wherein the laundry (103a, b) respectively has an identification element (105a, b) associated with an identification mark; and a control device (107), wherein the control device (107) is configured to execute a laundry care program to treat the laundry (103a, b) received in the laundry chamber (101), wherein the laundry care device (100) comprises a reading device (109), which is connected to the control device (107) and is configured to read the identification mark associated with the identification element (105a, b) of the laundry (103a, b) during a first time interval and a second time interval after the first time interval, The invention is characterized in that the reading device (109) or the control device (107) is configured to store the identification marks of the clothes (103a, b) read during the first time interval in a first clothes list, wherein the reading device (109) or the control device (107) is configured to store the identification marks of the clothes (103a, b) read during the second time interval in a second clothes list, and The reading device (109) or the control device (107) is configured to determine changes between the first clothing list and the second clothing list based on a comparison of identification marks of the first clothing list and the second clothing list.

2. The clothing care device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The reading device (109) is constructed to read a part of the identification mark of the clothing (103a, b) and when the part of the identification mark of the clothing (103a, b) corresponds to the reference identification information of the clothing (103a, b), the identification mark of the clothing read during the first time interval is stored in the first clothing list and / or the identification mark of the clothing read during the second time interval is stored in the second clothing list.

3. The clothing care device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The laundry care device (100) comprises a tub drive for rotating the laundry chamber (101), wherein the control device (107) is configured to activate the tub drive during a first and / or a second time interval.

4. The clothing care device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The clothing care device (100) comprises a user interface, in particular a display screen (111) of the clothing care device (100) and / or a user interface connected to a mobile terminal device, wherein the user interface is configured to receive and display user information based on changes between a first clothing list and a second clothing list from the control device (107).

5. The clothing care device (100) according to claim 4, characterized in that: The user information includes the number of clothes (103a, b) received in the laundry room (101), and / or the weight of the clothes (103a, b) received in the laundry room (101), and / or the visual presentation of each of the clothes (103a, b) received in the laundry room (101), and / or the handling instructions of the clothes (103a, b) received in the laundry room (101).

6. The clothing care device (100) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that: The control device (107) is configured to identify clothes in the second clothing list that are not included in the first clothing list as a distinguishing feature based on changes between the first clothing list and the second clothing list, wherein the control device (107) is configured to determine user information based on the distinguishing feature.

7. The clothing care device (100) according to claim 6, characterized in that: The distinguishing features include the color of the laundry and / or information on the suitability of the laundry for treatment in the laundry care device (100) and / or parameter limitations of laundry care program parameters.

8. The clothing care device (100) according to any one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that: The control device (107) is configured to select a clothing care program from a plurality of clothing care programs of the clothing care device (100) based on a change between a first clothing list and a second clothing list, wherein the user information includes the selected clothing care program.

9. The clothing care device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The control device (107) is configured to select a clothing care program from a plurality of clothing care programs of the clothing care device (100) based on a change between a first clothing list and a second clothing list, wherein the clothing care device (100) includes a user input element for a user to input a user input to an automatic mode of the clothing care device (100), wherein the control device (107) is configured to set the selected clothing care program without further user input.

10. The clothing care device (100) according to any one of claims 4 to 9, characterized in that: The clothing care device (100) is capable of being connected to a server, in particular a cloud server, wherein the control device (107) is configured to transmit an identification mark of a change between a first clothing list and a second clothing list to the server and to receive user information based on the change between the first clothing list and the second clothing list and / or receive a selected clothing care program from a plurality of clothing care programs from the server.

11. The clothing care device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The reader device (109) comprises an RFID reader device (109) and the identification element (105a, b) comprises an RFID element, wherein in particular the identification element comprises an Electronic Product Code (EPC).

12. The clothing care device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The reading device (109) or the control device (107) is configured to store the identification of the laundry (103a, b) read out during a third time interval in a third laundry list, wherein the third time interval is between the first time interval and the second time interval, wherein the reading device (109) or the control device (107) is configured to determine a further change between the first clothing list and the third clothing list based on a further comparison of the identification marks of the first clothing list and the third clothing list, The reading device (109) or the control device (107) is configured to detect a change between the first clothing list and the second clothing list based on a comparison of identification identifiers of the first clothing list and the second clothing list for clothing identification numbers not included in the first clothing list when the change between the first clothing list and the second clothing list corresponds to a further change between the first clothing list and the third clothing list.

13. The clothing care device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The reading device (109) or the control device (107) is configured to detect a change between the first clothing list and the second clothing list based on a comparison of identification identifiers of the first clothing list and the second clothing list for clothing identification numbers not included in the second clothing list when a third time interval between the first time interval and the second time interval is greater than a time threshold.

14. The laundry care device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The reading device (109) comprises at least one sensor element (113a, b), wherein the at least one sensor element (113a, b) is arranged in a window of an appliance door (119) of the clothing care appliance (100), and / or is arranged above the appliance door (119) on the rear side of a front cover (117) of the clothing care appliance (100), and / or is arranged below the appliance door (119) on the rear side of the front cover (117) of the clothing care appliance (100), and / or is arranged above the appliance door (119) on the front side of the front cover (117) of the clothing care appliance (100), and / or is arranged on a clothing conveyor of a clothing chamber (101) of the clothing care appliance (100), and / or is arranged outside the clothing care appliance (100) at a storage location for clothing (103a, b).

15. The clothing care device (100) according to claim 14, characterized in that: The at least one sensor element (113a, b) comprises an antenna that is movable by a drive, wherein the control device (107) is designed to set a first position of the movable antenna during a first time interval and to set a second position of the movable antenna that is different from the first position during a second time interval.

16. The clothing care device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The clothing care device (100) comprises a shielding device, in particular a metal coating of a housing (102) of the clothing care device (100) and / or an electrical conductor arranged in a device door (119) of the clothing care device (100), wherein the shielding device is configured to shield clothing (103a, b) in a clothing chamber (101) from the outside of the clothing chamber (101) through reading by a reading device (109).

17. A method (200) for operating a garment care device (100), the garment care device comprising: A laundry chamber (101) for receiving laundry (103a, b), wherein the laundry (103a, b) respectively has an identification element (105a, b) associated with an identification mark; and a control device (107), wherein the control device (107) is configured to execute a laundry care program to treat the laundry (103a, b) received in the laundry chamber (101), wherein the laundry care device (100) comprises a reading device (109) connected to the control device (107) and configured to read the identification mark associated with the identification element (105a, b) of the laundry (103a, b), wherein the method (200) comprises: reading (201) identification marks of the clothes (103a, b) by the reading device (109) during a first time interval and during a second time interval after the first time interval; Characterized in that the method (200) further comprises: storing (203) the identification marks of the clothes (103a, b) read out during the first time interval in a first clothes list via the reading device (109) or the control device (107); storing (205) the identification codes of the laundry (103a, b) read out during the second time interval in a second laundry list via the reading device (109) or the control device (107); and Based on a comparison of the identification marks of the first laundry list and the second laundry list, the changes between the first laundry list and the second laundry list are determined (207) by the reading device (109) or the control device (107).

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