Control method and device of water softener, water softener and storage medium

Abstract

The invention discloses a control method and device of a water softener, the water softener and a storage medium, and relates to the technical field of household appliance control. The method comprises the following steps: monitoring a personnel state in a scene where the water softener is located; acquiring water consumption data of the water softener under the condition that the personnel state is unmanned; switching the working mode of the water softener from a first working mode to a second working mode under the condition that the water consumption data meets the working mode switching condition; wherein the water softener softens water in the first working mode, and the water softener does not soften water in the second working mode. Through the technical scheme of the embodiment of the invention, the operation burden of a user can be reduced, and the water softener is prevented from continuously and efficiently running in an unmanned use period, so that unnecessary resource consumption is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of home appliance control technology, and in particular to a control method, device, water softener, and storage medium for a water softener. Background Technology

[0002] With the improvement of modern living standards and the rapid development of industrial production, water treatment has become a crucial link in ensuring quality of life and efficiency in industrial production. Water softeners, as key water treatment equipment, play a vital role in both domestic and industrial water treatment. To meet the needs of different scenarios, modern water softeners are typically equipped with multiple operating modes, such as high-efficiency mode, salt-saving mode, and vacation mode. Since high-efficiency and salt-saving modes include a water softening phase, while vacation mode does not, the water softener automatically adjusts its operating status in vacation mode, reducing unnecessary regeneration processes, thereby saving water and salt resources and avoiding resource waste when users are away from home for extended periods.

[0003] However, traditional water softener control methods rely on manual operation by the user to switch the water softener's working mode to vacation mode. This method not only increases the user's operational burden, but also poses the problem that users may forget to set the vacation mode due to being busy or negligent, causing the water softener to continue to operate efficiently during periods of no use, resulting in unnecessary resource consumption.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need to propose a new method to solve the above problems. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention provides a control method, device, water softener, and storage medium for a water softener, which can reduce the user's operational burden and prevent the water softener from continuing to operate efficiently when not in use, thereby reducing unnecessary resource consumption.

[0006] In a first aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide a control method for a water softener, comprising:

[0007] Monitor the status of personnel in the environment where the water softener is located;

[0008] When no personnel are present, the water usage data of the water softener is obtained;

[0009] When the water usage data meets the conditions for switching operating modes, the operating mode of the water softener is switched from the first operating mode to the second operating mode.

[0010] In the first working mode, the water softener softens the water, while in the second working mode, the water softener does not soften the water.

[0011] The technical solution of this invention first monitors the status of personnel in the scene where the water softener is located; if no personnel are present, the water usage data of the water softener is acquired; if the water usage data meets the conditions for switching operating modes, the operating mode of the water softener is switched from a first operating mode to a second operating mode; wherein, in the first operating mode, the water softener softens the water, and in the second operating mode, the water softener does not soften the water. The above technical solution first monitors the status of personnel in the scene where the water softener is located, providing a basis for determining whether to acquire water usage data. Then, it is determined whether the personnel status is unoccupied. If not, the monitoring of personnel status continues. If no personnel are present, water usage data is acquired, providing a data basis for determining whether to switch operating modes. Then, it is determined whether the water usage data meets the conditions for switching operating modes. If not, the operating mode of the water softener remains unchanged to ensure the stability and reliability of the water softener's operation. If the conditions are met, the operating mode of the water softener is switched from the first operating mode to the second operating mode, effectively reducing the waste of softening salt and water resources, lowering user costs, and thus improving user experience. Compared to existing technologies that rely on manual user operation, switching a water softener to a holiday mode increases the user's workload and poses a risk of users forgetting to set the holiday mode, causing the water softener to continue operating efficiently during periods of non-use and resulting in unnecessary resource consumption. This invention automatically determines whether to switch the water softener's operating mode from the first mode to the second mode based on the status of people in the water softener's environment and the water usage data of the water softener. This automated switching reduces the user's workload and avoids the problem of the water softener continuing to operate efficiently during periods of non-use due to users forgetting to set the holiday mode, thus preventing unnecessary resource consumption.

[0012] Secondly, embodiments of the present invention also provide a control device for a water softener, the device comprising:

[0013] The monitoring module is used to monitor the status of personnel in the water softener environment.

[0014] The acquisition module is used to acquire water usage data of the water softener when the personnel status is unoccupied;

[0015] The switching module is used to switch the working mode of the water softener from the first working mode to the second working mode when the water usage data meets the working mode switching conditions.

[0016] In the first working mode, the water softener softens the water, while in the second working mode, the water softener does not soften the water.

[0017] Thirdly, embodiments of the present invention also provide a water softener, which includes:

[0018] At least one processor; and a memory communicatively connected to said at least one processor;

[0019] The memory stores a computer program that can be executed by the at least one processor, which enables the at least one processor to implement the control method of the water softener described in any of the first aspects.

[0020] Fourthly, embodiments of the present invention also provide a storage medium containing computer-executable instructions.

[0021] The computer-executable instructions, when executed by a computer processor, implement the control method of any of the water softeners described in the first aspect.

[0022] It should be noted that the aforementioned computer instructions may be stored, in whole or in part, on a computer-readable storage medium. This computer-readable storage medium may be packaged together with the processor of the water softener's control device, or it may be packaged separately from the processor of the water softener's control device; this application does not impose any limitations on this.

[0023] The descriptions of the second, third, and fourth aspects in this application can be referenced to the detailed description of the first aspect; and the beneficial effects described in the second, third, and fourth aspects can be referenced to the analysis of the beneficial effects of the first aspect, which will not be repeated here.

[0024] In this application, the name of the control device for the aforementioned water softener does not limit the equipment or functional module itself. In actual implementation, these devices or functional modules may appear under other names. As long as the function of each device or functional module is similar to that of this application, it falls within the scope of the claims of this application and its equivalents.

[0025] These or other aspects of this application will become more readily apparent in the following description. Attached Figure Description

[0026] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0027] Figure 1 A flowchart of a control method for a water softener provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 2A flowchart illustrating another control method for a water softener provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the control device for a water softener provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a water softener provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the invention and not intended to limit it. Furthermore, it should be noted that, for ease of description, the accompanying drawings show only the parts relevant to the present invention, and not all of the structures.

[0032] In this article, the term "and / or" is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can represent three situations: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone.

[0033] The terms "first" and "second," etc., used in the specification and drawings of this application are used to distinguish different objects or to distinguish different treatments of the same object, rather than to describe a specific order of objects.

[0034] Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, used in the description of this application are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the steps or units listed, but may optionally include other steps or units not listed, or may optionally include other steps or units inherent to such process, method, product, or apparatus.

[0035] Before discussing the exemplary embodiments in more detail, it should be noted that some exemplary embodiments are described as processes or methods depicted as flowcharts. Although the flowcharts describe the operations (or steps) as sequential processes, many of these operations can be performed in parallel, concurrently, or simultaneously. Furthermore, the order of the operations can be rearranged. The process can be terminated when its operation is completed, but may also have additional steps not included in the figures. The process can correspond to a method, function, procedure, subroutine, subroutine, etc. Moreover, embodiments and features in the embodiments of the present invention can be combined with each other without conflict.

[0036] It should be noted that in the embodiments of this application, the words "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or explanations. Any embodiment or design scheme described as "exemplary" or "for example" in the embodiments of this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or design schemes. Specifically, the use of the words "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a specific manner.

[0037] In the description of this application, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0038] Figure 1 This is a flowchart illustrating a control method for a water softener according to an embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is applicable to situations where the water softener needs to automatically adjust its mode. The method can be executed by a control device for the water softener, which can be implemented using software and / or hardware. For example, the device can be a computer or a server. (See reference...) Figure 1 The control method of the water softener in this embodiment specifically includes the following steps:

[0039] Step 110: Monitor the status of personnel in the scene where the water softener is located.

[0040] Specifically, the "scenario" of the water softener refers to the specific environment or home environment in which the water softener is installed and used. For example, the scenario can include the kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, and living room. "Personnel status" refers to whether there are people in the scenario; for example, the status can be either "present" or "absent."

[0041] In practice, the presence of people in the water softener's environment can be determined using sensors (such as infrared sensors, cameras, or sound sensors) installed in the surrounding area. For example, an infrared sensor installed on the wall or ceiling of a living room can detect infrared radiation emitted by the human body to determine the presence of people and thus their status. Alternatively, if the water softener is located in a living room, a camera installed in the living room can capture images and deep learning techniques (such as neural networks) can be used to analyze the images and determine the presence of people.

[0042] In this embodiment, by monitoring the status of people in the scene where the water softener is located, a basis is provided for determining whether to obtain the water usage data of the water softener later.

[0043] Step 120: Determine if the personnel status is "unmanned".

[0044] If no one is present, proceed to step 130; if no one is present, proceed to step 110.

[0045] In practice, after obtaining the status of personnel in the water softener's environment, it can be determined whether the environment is unoccupied. If unoccupied, the water usage data of the water softener is obtained to help determine whether to switch the water softener's operating mode. If the environment is not unoccupied, the status of personnel in the water softener's environment continues to be monitored.

[0046] In this embodiment, determining whether the personnel status is unoccupied provides a basis for deciding whether to obtain water usage data from the water softener.

[0047] Step 130: Obtain water usage data for the water softener.

[0048] Specifically, water usage data for a water softener refers to data on the usage of the water softener, such as water consumption and usage time.

[0049] In practice, water usage data of the water softener can be obtained through data acquisition devices (such as flow meters).

[0050] In this embodiment, by acquiring the water usage data of the water softener, a data foundation is provided for determining whether to switch the working mode.

[0051] Step 140: Determine whether the water usage data meets the conditions for switching working modes.

[0052] If the working mode switching conditions are met, proceed to step 160; otherwise, proceed to step 150.

[0053] Specifically, the operating mode switching condition refers to the pre-set conditions based on actual conditions or needs, used to determine whether to switch the water softener's operating mode from the first operating mode to the second operating mode. For example, the operating mode switching condition could be that the water softener's daily water consumption is less than the average water consumption of the previous 7 days.

[0054] In practice, after obtaining the water usage data from the water softener, it can be determined whether the data meets the conditions for switching operating modes. If it does, the water softener's operating mode is switched from the first operating mode to the second operating mode to avoid unnecessary resource consumption. If it does not meet the conditions, the water softener's operating mode remains unchanged, meaning the water softener continues to operate in its current mode.

[0055] Step 150: The water softener's operating mode remains unchanged.

[0056] In practice, once it is determined that the water usage data does not meet the conditions for switching the working mode, it can be determined that the working mode of the water softener remains unchanged. That is, the working mode of the water softener does not need to be changed and will continue to operate in the current mode, thereby ensuring the stability and reliability of the water softener's operation.

[0057] Step 160: Switch the water softener's operating mode from the first operating mode to the second operating mode.

[0058] Specifically, in the first operating mode, the water softener softens the water; for example, the first operating mode could be a high-efficiency mode or a salt-saving mode. In the second operating mode, the water softener does not soften the water; for example, the second operating mode could be a holiday mode.

[0059] In practice, after determining that the water usage data meets the conditions for switching working modes, a switching command can be generated and sent to the control unit of the water softener. After receiving the switching command, the water softener adjusts its various parameters and operating logic according to the requirements of the second working mode, thereby switching the working mode of the water softener from the first working mode to the second working mode.

[0060] In this embodiment, by switching the working mode of the water softener from the first working mode to the second working mode, the waste of softening salt and water resources can be effectively reduced, thereby lowering the user's operating costs and improving the user experience.

[0061] In this embodiment of the invention, the status of personnel in the water softener's environment is first monitored, providing a basis for determining whether to acquire water usage data from the water softener. Then, it is determined whether the environment is unoccupied. If not, the status of personnel in the water softener's environment continues to be monitored. If unoccupied, water usage data from the water softener is acquired, providing a data basis for determining whether to switch operating modes. Next, it is determined whether the water usage data meets the conditions for switching operating modes. If not, the water softener's operating mode remains unchanged to ensure the stability and reliability of its operation. If it does meet the conditions, the water softener's operating mode is switched from the first operating mode to the second operating mode, effectively reducing the waste of softening salt and water resources, lowering user operating costs, and thus improving user experience. Compared to existing technologies that rely on manual user operation, switching the water softener's operating mode to a holiday mode increases the user's operational burden and poses a risk that users may forget to set the holiday mode due to busyness or negligence, causing the water softener to continue operating efficiently during periods of no use, resulting in unnecessary resource consumption. This invention automatically determines whether to switch the water softener's operating mode from the first operating mode to the second operating mode based on the status of people in the scene where the water softener is located and the water usage data of the water softener. This achieves automated switching, reduces the user's operational burden, and avoids the problem of the water softener continuing to operate efficiently during periods of no use due to the user forgetting to set the holiday mode, thus avoiding unnecessary resource consumption.

[0062] Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating another control method for a water softener provided in an embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is a specific implementation based on the above embodiments. In this embodiment, the method may further include:

[0063] Step 210: Monitor the status of personnel in the scene where the water softener is located.

[0064] Furthermore, step 210 may specifically include: monitoring the usage status of reference equipment in the scenario where the water softener is located; and determining the personnel status based on the usage status of the reference equipment.

[0065] Specifically, the reference device in the context of a water softener refers to a device installed in the environment where the water softener is located (such as a home, office, or factory) to collect or sense specific state information (such as personnel activity) within that environment. For example, the reference device in the context of a water softener could be a smart door lock or a router. The usage status of the reference device refers to its operational status within a preset time period. The preset time period is a period set in advance based on actual conditions or needs; for example, the preset time period could be 1 day, 2 days, or 1 week. The usage status of the reference device includes both active and inactive states; the inactive state indicates that no one is present.

[0066] In practice, the reference device in the water softener's environment is first identified. Then, its operational status data (such as on / off records and usage time) is collected in real time via its network interface to determine its usage status. Based on this status, the personnel status is then determined. Specifically, if the reference device is in use, the personnel status is determined to be occupied. If the reference device is not in use, the personnel status is determined to be unoccupied.

[0067] For example, if the reference device is a smart door lock and the preset time period is 2 days, and the smart door lock has no activity records within 2 days, then the usage status of the reference device can be determined to be unused, and thus the personnel status can be determined to be unoccupied.

[0068] In this embodiment, the accuracy of the determined personnel status can be improved through the above steps.

[0069] Further, step 210 may specifically include: acquiring a monitoring image of the scene where the water softener is located; determining whether there is a person in the monitoring image; if there is no person in the monitoring image, or if there is a person in the monitoring image but the person's stay time is less than the preset stay time, then the person status is determined to be no one.

[0070] Specifically, surveillance images refer to real-time images or video frames captured by image acquisition devices (such as cameras) installed in the environment where the water softener is located. Preset dwell time refers to a time threshold determined based on actual conditions or needs, used to determine whether a person in the surveillance image should be considered present. For example, the preset dwell time can be 20 minutes, 40 minutes, or 1 hour.

[0071] In the specific implementation, firstly, image acquisition devices installed in the water softener's location acquire monitoring images of the scene. Then, image processing techniques (such as frame differencing and background subtraction) are used to preprocess the received monitoring images to remove noise and improve image quality. Next, image recognition techniques (such as object detection and face recognition) are used to determine whether a person is present in the image. If no person is present, the status is determined to be unoccupied. If a person is present, the time point of the first detection for each person is recorded, and object tracking algorithms (such as SORT and DeepSORT) are used to continuously track the detected person to determine whether they have left the monitoring area. If a person leaves the monitoring area, the time point of their departure is recorded. Then, based on the departure time point and the first detection time point for each person, the dwell time for each person is determined and compared with a preset dwell time. If the dwell time for each person is less than the preset time, the status is determined to be unoccupied. If the dwell time for one person is not less than the preset time, the status is determined to be occupied.

[0072] In this embodiment, the accuracy of the determined personnel status can be improved through the above steps.

[0073] Step 211: Determine if the personnel status is "unmanned".

[0074] If no one is present, proceed to step 212; if no one is present, proceed to step 210.

[0075] Step 212: Obtain water usage data for the water softener.

[0076] Specifically, the water usage data of a water softener includes historical water usage data and current water usage data.

[0077] In practice, the water usage data of the water softener can be obtained from a database that records the water consumption of the water softener.

[0078] Step 213: Determine the historical average daily water consumption based on historical water consumption data, and determine the current average daily water consumption based on current water consumption data.

[0079] Specifically, historical water usage data refers to the collection of water consumption data recorded over a past period (such as 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, etc.). Historical average daily water usage refers to the average daily water consumption calculated based on historical water usage data within a specified historical period. Current water usage data refers to the collection of water usage data recorded within the current period (such as 1 day or 2 days). Current average daily water usage refers to the average daily water consumption calculated based on current water usage data within the current period. Historical water usage data is generated by users and water-using equipment in the scenario where the water softener is located, while current water usage data is generated by water-using equipment in the scenario where the water softener is located. Water-using equipment refers to household appliances or facilities that require softened water, such as washing machines, water heaters, or dishwashers.

[0080] In practice, after obtaining historical and current water usage data, the historical water usage data is first summed to obtain the total historical water consumption. Then, the total historical water consumption is divided by the number of days corresponding to the historical water usage data to obtain the historical average daily water consumption. Next, the current water usage data is summed to obtain the total current water consumption. Then, the total current water consumption is divided by the number of days corresponding to the current water usage data to obtain the current average daily water consumption.

[0081] In this embodiment, by determining the historical average daily water consumption and the current average daily water consumption, a data foundation is provided for obtaining the water consumption difference later.

[0082] Step 214: Calculate the difference between the historical average daily water consumption and the current average daily water consumption to obtain the water consumption difference.

[0083] Specifically, the water consumption difference refers to the difference between the historical average daily water consumption and the current average daily water consumption, which helps determine whether to switch the operating mode of the water softener.

[0084] In practice, the water consumption difference = historical average daily water consumption - current average daily water consumption.

[0085] In this embodiment, the difference in water consumption provides a data basis for determining whether to switch the water dispenser's operating mode.

[0086] Step 215: Determine whether the difference in water consumption is greater than the preset difference in water consumption.

[0087] If it is greater than, proceed to step 217; if it is not greater than, proceed to step 216.

[0088] Specifically, the preset water consumption difference refers to the threshold value for water consumption changes set according to actual conditions or needs. For example, the preset water consumption difference can be 30 liters.

[0089] In practice, after obtaining the water consumption difference, it can be determined whether the difference is greater than a preset difference. If it is, the water quality requirements of the water-using equipment are obtained to determine the switching operating mode. If it is not, the water softener's operating mode remains unchanged, ensuring the stability of the water softener.

[0090] Step 216: The water softener's operating mode remains unchanged.

[0091] Step 217: Obtain the water quality requirements of the water-using equipment.

[0092] Specifically, water quality requirements refer to the specific requirements of water-using equipment for water quality. For example, water quality requirements can be softened water or non-softened water.

[0093] In practice, the first step is to determine the target water-using device from among various water-using devices based on whether uninterrupted water supply is needed when no one is home. For example, the target water-using device could be a fish tank, irrigation system, humidifier, or water heater. Then, the water quality requirements of the target water-using device can be determined based on its device attributes. For example, if the target water-using device is a fish tank, the water quality requirement can be determined to be softened water in order to maintain water cleanliness and suitability for fish survival.

[0094] In this embodiment, by acquiring the water quality requirements of the water-using equipment, a data foundation is provided for determining the switching working mode.

[0095] Step 218: Determine whether the water quality requirement of the water-using equipment is softened water.

[0096] If yes, proceed to step 219; otherwise, proceed to step 220.

[0097] Specifically, water softening refers to the need to soften water.

[0098] In practice, after obtaining the water quality requirements of the water-using equipment, it can be determined whether the equipment requires softened water. If so, the water softener's operating mode can be switched from the first operating mode to the third operating mode, thus saving resources while meeting the water quality requirements. If not, the water softener's operating mode can be switched from the first operating mode to the second operating mode to avoid unnecessary resource waste.

[0099] Step 219: Switch the water softener's operating mode from the first operating mode to the third operating mode.

[0100] Specifically, in the third working mode, the water softener softens the water. The degree of softening in the third working mode is determined by the user in the scenario where the water softener is located, while the degree of softening in the first working mode is determined by the water-using equipment in the scenario where the water softener is located.

[0101] In practice, after determining that the water quality requirement of the water-using equipment is softened water, a switching command to switch from the first working mode to the third working mode can be generated and sent to the control unit of the water softener. After receiving the command, the water softener adjusts its various parameters and operating logic according to the requirements of the third working mode, thereby realizing the switching of the water softener's working mode from the first working mode to the third working mode.

[0102] In this embodiment, by switching the working mode of the water softener from the first working mode to the third working mode, the softening degree can be precisely controlled according to the actual situation, thereby avoiding unnecessary waste of resources.

[0103] Step 220: Switch the water softener's operating mode from the first operating mode to the second operating mode.

[0104] Furthermore, before step 220, the method further includes: sending a mode switching prompt to the user terminal; receiving switching feedback information sent by the user terminal based on the mode switching prompt; and, if the switching feedback information indicates agreement to switch, switching the working mode of the water softener from the first working mode to the second working mode.

[0105] Specifically, a user terminal refers to a device (such as a smartphone or tablet) used by the user to receive switching prompts. A switching prompt refers to information sent to the user terminal regarding the switching of working modes. Switching feedback information refers to a response or reply sent by the user through the user terminal, indicating whether the user agrees to the switching of working modes; for example, switching feedback information could be "agree to switch" or "reject switching."

[0106] In practice, after determining that the water quality requirement of the water-using equipment is not softened water, a switching prompt (e.g., the water softener's operating mode will switch from the first operating mode to the second operating mode) can be sent to the user terminal via a communication network (such as a mobile network or power line carrier communication). Then, switching feedback information is received. If a switching feedback message agreeing to the switch is received, the water softener's operating mode is switched from the first operating mode to the second operating mode. If a switching feedback message rejecting the switch is received, the water softener's operating mode is not switched.

[0107] In this embodiment, by sending a mode switching prompt to the user terminal, the user can promptly understand the working status of the water softener and the changes that are about to occur. At the same time, if the switching feedback information indicates agreement to switch, the working mode of the water softener is switched from the first working mode to the second working mode. This can enhance the user's sense of participation and control while improving the user experience.

[0108] In one embodiment, after switching the water softener's operating mode from the first operating mode to the second operating mode, the status of people in the scene where the water softener is located can continue to be monitored. If people are present, the operating mode of the water softener is switched back from the second operating mode to the first operating mode. Alternatively, the water consumption data of the water softener can be directly obtained, and the current average daily water consumption can be determined based on the current water consumption data. If the current average daily water consumption is greater than a preset water consumption, the operating mode of the water softener is switched back from the second operating mode to the first operating mode. The preset water consumption is a water consumption threshold set according to actual conditions or needs; for example, the preset water consumption could be 500 liters.

[0109] Therefore, the technical solution of this invention first monitors the status of personnel in the scene where the water softener is located, providing a basis for determining whether to acquire the water usage data of the water softener. Then, it determines whether the personnel status is unoccupied. If not unoccupied, it continues to monitor the personnel status in the scene where the water softener is located. If unoccupied, it acquires the water usage data of the water softener, providing a data basis for determining whether to switch the operating mode. Next, it determines the historical average daily water consumption based on historical water usage data and the current average daily water consumption based on current water usage data, providing a data basis for obtaining the water consumption difference. Then, it calculates the difference between the historical average daily water consumption and the current average daily water consumption, obtaining the water consumption difference, providing a data basis for determining whether to switch the water dispenser's operating mode. It then determines whether the water consumption difference is greater than a preset water consumption difference. If not, the water softener's operating mode remains unchanged to ensure its stability. If greater, it acquires the water quality requirements of the water-using equipment, providing a data basis for determining the switching operating mode. Finally, it determines whether the water quality requirement of the water-using equipment is softened water. If so, the water softener's operating mode is switched from the first operating mode to the third operating mode, allowing for precise control of the softening level based on actual conditions, thus avoiding unnecessary resource waste. If not, the water softener's operating mode is switched from the first operating mode to the second operating mode to avoid unnecessary resource waste. Compared to existing technologies that rely on manual operation by the user, switching the water softener's operating mode to a holiday mode increases the user's workload and poses a risk that the user may forget to set the holiday mode, causing the water softener to continue operating efficiently during periods of non-use, resulting in unnecessary resource consumption. This invention automatically determines whether to switch the water softener's operating mode from the first operating mode to the second operating mode based on the status of people in the water softener's environment and the water usage data of the water softener. This achieves automated switching, reduces the user's operational burden, and avoids the problem of the water softener continuing to operate efficiently during periods of non-use due to the user forgetting to set the holiday mode, thus preventing unnecessary resource consumption.

[0110] Figure 3This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a control device for a water softener provided in an embodiment of the present invention. This device belongs to the same inventive concept as the control method for the water softener in the above embodiments. For details not described in detail in the embodiments of the control device for the water softener, please refer to the embodiments of the control method for the water softener described above.

[0111] like Figure 3 As shown, the device includes:

[0112] Monitoring module 310 is used to monitor the status of personnel in the scene where the water softener is located;

[0113] The acquisition module 320 is used to acquire water usage data of the water softener when the personnel status is unmanned;

[0114] The switching module 330 is used to switch the working mode of the water softener from the first working mode to the second working mode when the water usage data meets the working mode switching conditions.

[0115] In the first working mode, the water softener softens the water, while in the second working mode, the water softener does not soften the water.

[0116] Based on the above embodiments, the monitoring module 310 is specifically used for:

[0117] Monitor the usage status of reference equipment in the scenario where the water softener is located;

[0118] The personnel status is determined based on the usage status of the reference equipment;

[0119] The usage status of the reference device includes a usage status and an unused status, wherein the unused status is used to indicate that the personnel status is unoccupied.

[0120] Based on the above embodiments, the monitoring module 310 is specifically used for:

[0121] Acquire monitoring images of the scene where the water softener is located;

[0122] Determine whether there is a person in the surveillance image;

[0123] If there is no person in the monitoring image, or if there is a person in the monitoring image but the person's stay time is less than the preset stay time, then the person's status is determined to be no one.

[0124] Based on the above embodiments, the water usage data of the water softener includes historical water usage data and current water usage data, and the device further includes:

[0125] The water consumption difference determination module is used to determine the historical average daily water consumption based on the historical water consumption data after acquiring the water consumption data of the water softener, and to determine the current average daily water consumption based on the current water consumption data; calculate the difference between the historical average daily water consumption and the current average daily water consumption to obtain the water consumption difference; and determine that the water consumption data meets the working mode switching conditions if the water consumption difference is greater than a preset water consumption difference.

[0126] Based on the above embodiments, the historical water usage data is generated by users and water-using equipment in the scenario where the water softener is located, and the current water usage data is generated by water-using equipment in the scenario where the water softener is located. The device further includes:

[0127] The water quality requirement determination module obtains the water quality requirement of the water-using equipment before switching the working mode of the water softener from the first working mode to the second working mode; if the water quality requirement of the water-using equipment is not softened water, it triggers the switching of the working mode of the water softener from the first working mode to the second working mode.

[0128] Based on the above embodiments, the device further includes:

[0129] The third mode switching module is used to switch the working mode of the water softener from the first working mode to the third working mode after obtaining the water quality requirements of the water-using equipment. If the water quality requirements of the water-using equipment are softened water, the third working mode is used to soften the water. The degree of softening in the third working mode is determined by the user in the scene where the water softener is located, while the degree of softening in the first working mode is determined by the water-using equipment in the scene where the water softener is located.

[0130] Based on the above embodiments, the device further includes:

[0131] The receiving module is configured to send a mode switching prompt to the user terminal before switching the working mode of the water softener from the first working mode to the second working mode; receive switching feedback information sent by the user terminal based on the mode switching prompt; and, if the switching feedback information indicates agreement to switch, switch the working mode of the water softener from the first working mode to the second working mode.

[0132] The control device for a water softener provided in this embodiment of the invention can execute the control method for a water softener provided in any embodiment of the invention, and has the corresponding functional modules and beneficial effects of the method.

[0133] It is worth noting that in the above embodiments of the control device for water softeners, the various units and modules included are only divided according to functional logic, but are not limited to the above division, as long as the corresponding functions can be achieved; in addition, the specific names of each functional unit are only for easy differentiation and are not used to limit the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0134] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a water softener provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 A block diagram of an exemplary water softener 4 suitable for implementing embodiments of the present invention is shown. Figure 4 The water softener 4 shown is merely an example and should not impose any limitations on the functionality and scope of use of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0135] like Figure 4 As shown, the water softener 4 is presented in the form of a general-purpose computing electronic device. The components of the water softener 4 may include, but are not limited to: one or more processors or processing units 16, system memory 28, and bus 18 connecting different system components (including system memory 28 and processing unit 16).

[0136] Bus 18 represents one or more of several bus architectures, including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, a graphics acceleration port, a processor, or a local bus using any of the various bus architectures. For example, these architectures include, but are not limited to, the Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, the Micro Channel Architecture (MAC) bus, the Enhanced ISA bus, the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) local bus, and the Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus.

[0137] A water softener 4 typically includes a variety of computer-readable media. These media can be any available media that can be accessed by the water softener 4, including volatile and non-volatile media, and removable and non-removable media.

[0138] System memory 28 may include computer system readable media in the form of volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM) 30 and / or cache memory 32. The water softener 4 may further include other removable / non-removable, volatile / non-volatile computer system storage media. By way of example only, storage system 34 may be used to read and write non-removable, non-volatile magnetic media (…). Figure 4 Not shown; usually referred to as a "hard drive"). Although Figure 4Not shown, a disk drive for reading and writing to a removable non-volatile disk (e.g., a "floppy disk") and an optical disk drive for reading and writing to a removable non-volatile optical disk (e.g., a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or other optical media) may be provided. In these cases, each drive may be connected to bus 18 via one or more data media interfaces. System memory 28 may include at least one program product having a set (e.g., at least one) of program modules configured to perform the functions of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0139] A program / utility 40 having a set (at least one) of program modules 42 may be stored, for example, in system memory 28. Such program modules 42 include, but are not limited to, an operating system, one or more application programs, other program modules, and program data. Each or some combination of these examples may include an implementation of a network environment. Program modules 42 typically perform the functions and / or methods described in the embodiments of the present invention.

[0140] The water softener 4 can also communicate with one or more external devices 14 (e.g., keyboard, pointing device, display 24, etc.), and with one or more devices that enable a user to interact with the water softener 4, and / or with any device that enables the water softener 4 to communicate with one or more other computing devices (e.g., network card, modem, etc.). This communication can be performed through the input / output (I / O) interface 22. Furthermore, the water softener 4 can also communicate with one or more networks (e.g., local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), and / or public networks, such as the Internet) via the network adapter 20. Figure 4 As shown, network adapter 20 communicates with other modules of water softener 4 via bus 18. It should be understood that, although... Figure 4 As not shown, it can be used in conjunction with the water softener 4 with other hardware and / or software modules, including but not limited to: microcode, device drivers, redundant processing units, external disk drive arrays, RAID systems, tape drives, and data backup storage systems.

[0141] Processing unit 16 executes various functional applications and page displays by running programs stored in system memory 28, such as implementing the control method for a water softener provided in this embodiment of the invention, which includes:

[0142] Monitor the status of personnel in the environment where the water softener is located;

[0143] When no personnel are present, the water usage data of the water softener is obtained;

[0144] When the water usage data meets the conditions for switching operating modes, the operating mode of the water softener is switched from the first operating mode to the second operating mode.

[0145] In the first working mode, the water softener softens the water, while in the second working mode, the water softener does not soften the water.

[0146] Of course, those skilled in the art will understand that the processor can also implement the technical solution of the water softener control method provided in any embodiment of the present invention.

[0147] This invention provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program thereon. When executed by a processor, the program implements, for example, the control method for a water softener provided in this invention. The method includes:

[0148] Monitor the status of personnel in the environment where the water softener is located;

[0149] When no personnel are present, the water usage data of the water softener is obtained;

[0150] When the water usage data meets the conditions for switching operating modes, the operating mode of the water softener is switched from the first operating mode to the second operating mode.

[0151] In the first working mode, the water softener softens the water, while in the second working mode, the water softener does not soften the water.

[0152] The computer storage medium of this invention can be any combination of one or more computer-readable media. A computer-readable medium can be a computer-readable signal medium or a computer-readable storage medium. For example, a computer-readable storage medium can be, but is not limited to, an electrical, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any combination thereof. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of computer-readable storage media include: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer disk, a hard disk, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), optical fiber, portable compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), optical storage device, magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination thereof. In this document, a computer-readable storage medium can be any tangible medium that contains or stores a program that can be used by or in conjunction with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

[0153] Computer-readable signal media may include data signals propagated in baseband or as part of a carrier wave, carrying computer-readable program code. Such propagated data signals may take various forms, including but not limited to electromagnetic signals, optical signals, or any suitable combination thereof. Computer-readable signal media may also be any computer-readable medium other than computer-readable storage media, capable of sending, propagating, or transmitting programs for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

[0154] Program code contained on a computer-readable medium may be transmitted using any suitable medium, including but not limited to: wireless, wire, optical fiber, RF, etc., or any suitable combination thereof.

[0155] Computer program code for performing the operations of this invention can be written in one or more programming languages ​​or a combination thereof. Programming languages ​​include object-oriented programming languages ​​such as Java, Smalltalk, and C++, as well as conventional procedural programming languages—such as the "C" language or similar programming languages. The program code can be executed entirely on the user's computer, partially on the user's computer, as a standalone software package, partially on the user's computer and partially on a remote computer, or entirely on a remote computer or server. In cases involving remote computers, the remote computer can be connected to the user's computer via any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or it can be connected to an external computer (e.g., via the Internet using an Internet service provider).

[0156] Those skilled in the art will understand that the modules or steps of the present invention described above can be implemented using general-purpose computing devices. They can be centralized on a single computing device or distributed across a network of multiple computing devices. Optionally, they can be implemented using computer-executable program code, thereby allowing them to be stored in a storage device for execution by a computing device, or they can be fabricated as separate integrated circuit modules, or multiple modules or steps can be fabricated as a single integrated circuit module. Thus, the present invention is not limited to any particular combination of hardware and software.

[0157] Furthermore, the acquisition, storage, use, and processing of data in the technical solution of this invention all comply with the relevant provisions of national laws and regulations.

[0158] Note that the above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and the technical principles employed. Those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, and various obvious changes, readjustments, and substitutions can be made without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, although the present invention has been described in detail through the above embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and may include many other equivalent embodiments without departing from the concept of the present invention, the scope of which is determined by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A control method for a water softener, characterized in that, The method includes: Monitor the status of personnel in the environment where the water softener is located; When no personnel are present, the water usage data of the water softener is obtained; When the water usage data meets the conditions for switching operating modes, the operating mode of the water softener is switched from the first operating mode to the second operating mode. In the first working mode, the water softener softens the water, while in the second working mode, the water softener does not soften the water.

2. The control method for a water softener according to claim 1, characterized in that, Monitoring the status of people in the environment where the water softener is located, including: Monitor the usage status of reference equipment in the scenario where the water softener is located; The personnel status is determined based on the usage status of the reference equipment; The usage status of the reference device includes a usage status and an unused status, wherein the unused status is used to indicate that the personnel status is unoccupied.

3. The control method for a water softener according to claim 1, characterized in that, Monitoring the status of people in the environment where the water softener is located, including: Acquire monitoring images of the scene where the water softener is located; Determine whether there is a person in the surveillance image; If there is no person in the monitoring image, or if there is a person in the monitoring image but the person's stay time is less than the preset stay time, then the person's status is determined to be no one.

4. The control method for a water softener according to claim 1, characterized in that, The water softener's water usage data includes historical water usage data and current water usage data. After acquiring the water softener's water usage data, it also includes: The historical average daily water consumption is determined based on the historical water consumption data, and the current average daily water consumption is determined based on the current water consumption data; Calculate the difference between the historical average daily water consumption and the current average daily water consumption to obtain the water consumption difference; If the difference in water consumption is greater than the preset difference in water consumption, the water consumption data is determined to meet the working mode switching conditions.

5. The control method for a water softener according to claim 4, characterized in that, The historical water usage data is generated by users and water-using devices in the scenario where the water softener is located, and the current water usage data is generated by water-using devices in the scenario where the water softener is located. Before switching the operating mode of the water softener from the first operating mode to the second operating mode, the following steps are also included: Obtain the water quality requirements of the water-using equipment; If the water quality requirement of the water-using equipment is not softened water, then the operation mode of the water softener will be switched from the first operation mode to the second operation mode.

6. The control method for a water softener according to claim 5, characterized in that, After obtaining the water quality requirements of the water-using equipment, the process also includes: If the water quality requirement of the water-using equipment is softened water, then the working mode of the water softener is switched from the first working mode to the third working mode; In the third working mode, the water softener softens the water. The degree of softening in the third working mode is determined by the user in the scenario where the water softener is located, while the degree of softening in the first working mode is determined by the water-using equipment in the scenario where the water softener is located.

7. The control method for a water softener according to claim 1, characterized in that, Before switching the water softener's operating mode from the first operating mode to the second operating mode, the following steps are also included: Send a mode switching prompt to the user terminal; The system receives switching feedback information sent by the user terminal based on the mode switching prompt. If the switching feedback information indicates agreement to switch, the system switches the working mode of the water softener from the first working mode to the second working mode.

8. A control device for a water softener, characterized in that, The device includes: The monitoring module is used to monitor the status of personnel in the water softener environment. The acquisition module is used to acquire water usage data of the water softener when the personnel status is unoccupied; The switching module is used to switch the working mode of the water softener from the first working mode to the second working mode when the water usage data meets the working mode switching conditions. In the first working mode, the water softener softens the water, while in the second working mode, the water softener does not soften the water.

9. A water softener, characterized in that, The water softener includes: At least one processor; and a memory communicatively connected to said at least one processor; The memory stores a computer program that can be executed by the at least one processor, which is then executed by the at least one processor to enable the at least one processor to perform the control method of the water softener according to any one of claims 1-7.

10. A storage medium containing computer-executable instructions, characterized in that, The computer-executable instructions, when executed by a computer processor, implement the control method for the water softener according to any one of claims 1-7.

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