Laundry treating apparatus control method, laundry treating apparatus, and readable storage medium

Abstract

The present application provides a kind of clothes processing equipment control method, clothes processing equipment and readable storage medium, in the process of clothes processing program running, comprising the following steps: S1, detect midway adding clothes instruction is triggered;S2, obtain the characteristic parameter of midway clothes to be added;S3, in response to the characteristic parameter of clothes to be added, obtain the execution parameter of adjustment corresponding to current clothes processing program;S4, the execution parameter information of adjustment is informed to user.The present application obtains the characteristic parameter of midway clothes to be added to correspond to obtain the execution parameter of adjustment by in the process of current clothes processing program running, the execution parameter information of adjustment is informed to user, significantly improve the control feeling of user to program execution state, ensure clothes processing effect, improve the use experience of user.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of clothing processing technology, specifically, it relates to a control method for clothing processing equipment, clothing processing equipment and a readable storage medium, and in particular, a control method for adding clothes during clothing processing. Background Technology

[0002] Washing machines have become an indispensable household appliance in people's daily lives, effectively helping to clean various clothes, sheets, and other textiles. Traditional washing machines generally use fixed washing programs, requiring users to manually select the washing mode according to their needs. However, due to differences in the type, degree of soiling, and weight of laundry, as well as errors arising from users' subjective judgment, a fixed water intake strategy is difficult to meet various washing needs, easily wasting resources. Furthermore, if a fixed water intake strategy fails to properly handle the laundry, it can easily lead to unpleasant odors, affecting the user experience.

[0003] With the continuous development of technology, washing machines have become increasingly user-friendly, typically allowing users to select the appropriate washing program and automatically add detergent before the wash cycle begins. However, during the washing process, sometimes clothes need to be added midway through the cycle after the machine has started its pre-set program, or users may need to add clothes due to omissions or other reasons. In existing washing machines, after clothes are added midway, the machine continues to run according to the original program. However, the added clothes may not be suitable for the current washing program, or continuing the current program may not clean the added clothes properly. Existing washing machines cannot adjust the washing program according to the added clothes, leading to problems such as too many clothes and too little water, or too many clothes and too short a running time, resulting in clothes not being cleaned properly or even being damaged, affecting the final washing effect.

[0004] Chinese Patent Application No. 202310671384.9 discloses a washing equipment control method and washing equipment, including: generating a first water inlet strategy based on the parameters of the laundry initially added; washing the laundry according to the first water inlet strategy; determining whether laundry is added during the washing process; if no laundry is added during the washing process, continuing washing according to the first water inlet strategy; if laundry is added during the washing process, detecting the parameters of the added laundry and generating a second water inlet strategy for the added laundry; determining whether the user manually adds water after the addition of laundry; if the user manually adds water, continuing washing after the user adds water; if the user does not manually add water, continuing washing according to the second water inlet strategy.

[0005] Although the aforementioned washing equipment can adjust its water intake strategy based on the parameters of the added laundry after it is added midway through the wash cycle, it still has the following drawbacks: First, it cannot clearly display key information such as adjustment information and remaining running time to the user, which seriously affects the user experience; second, since the equipment requires the clothes to be put into the washing machine first to obtain the adjustment parameters, it is necessary to first determine and control the door to unlock and open. If it is determined later that the clothes cannot be washed together, it not only wastes a lot of time controlling the door to unlock and open, extending the original washing program's running time, but also requires removing the clothes added midway through the wash cycle.

[0006] In view of this, the present invention is hereby proposed. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art. The primary objective is to provide a control method for clothing processing equipment that notifies the user of the execution parameter information adjusted according to the characteristic parameters of the clothing to be added during the process, so that the user can keep abreast of key information such as the adjustment of program execution parameters in real time, thereby ensuring the subsequent clothing processing effect and user experience.

[0008] The second objective of this invention is to provide a control method for a clothing processing device, which can obtain the execution parameter information of the corresponding clothing to be added before unlocking the door during the process, thereby confirming whether to add clothing during the process.

[0009] The third objective of this invention is to provide a control method for a clothing handling device that can provide precise timing for adding clothes midway through the process.

[0010] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the basic concept of the technical solution adopted by the present invention is as follows:

[0011] A method for controlling a garment processing device includes the following steps during the operation of the garment processing program:

[0012] S1. The "add clothes" command was triggered midway through the process;

[0013] S2. Obtain the feature parameters of clothing to be added midway;

[0014] S3. In response to the feature parameters of the clothing to be added, obtain the adjusted execution parameters corresponding to the current clothing processing program;

[0015] S4. Notify the user of the adjusted execution parameters.

[0016] This invention obtains the characteristic parameters of the clothing to be added during the current clothing processing program and accordingly obtains the adjusted execution parameters. The adjusted execution parameter information is then notified to the user, which significantly improves the user's sense of control over the program's execution status, ensures the clothing processing effect, and enhances the user experience.

[0017] A further solution involves, after notifying the user of the adjusted execution parameters in step S4, step S5, determining whether to perform the mid-process clothing addition. This invention adds a confirmation step after notifying the user of the execution parameters to avoid invalid clothing addition operations due to accidental touches or temporary changes in decision-making, reducing processing time delays caused by interruptions in the current processing program and minimizing energy waste that may result from controlling door unlocking and opening.

[0018] A further embodiment is that the clothing handling equipment control method includes performing a step of unlocking and opening the door midway, which is set before or after step S4;

[0019] Preferably, the step of unlocking and opening the door midway is set after step S4. In response to step S4, after confirming that clothes are added midway, the unlocking and opening of the door is performed.

[0020] Preferably, in response to the step of unlocking and opening the door midway through execution, the time information required for opening the door is obtained, and the time information for opening the door is notified to the user. The present invention sets the unlocking and opening of the door after step S4, and first confirms that the user agrees to adjust the parameters before unlocking, so as to avoid repeated opening and closing of the door due to incompatibility with adding clothes, reduce invalid operations and prolong the program time.

[0021] Alternatively, an alternative to the above solution is to set the step of unlocking and opening the door midway before step S4 and after step S1. In response to the step of unlocking and opening the door midway, the time information required for opening the door is obtained, and the user is notified of the opening time information. By setting the unlocking and opening step before step S4, this invention can combine the opening time information with the adjustment parameters to simultaneously notify the user, helping the user estimate the operation time, avoid blind waiting, and improve operation efficiency.

[0022] Preferably, the user is notified of the door opening time along with the adjusted execution parameters. This invention integrates the notification of the time required to unlock and open the door with the program adjustment parameters, helping users predict the operation time, reducing program idle time, and optimizing overall time management efficiency.

[0023] A further solution is that the method for notifying the user of the adjusted execution parameter information in step S4 includes notifying the user of the adjusted execution parameter information in at least one of the following ways: text, sound, pattern, and animation.

[0024] Preferably, the adjusted execution parameter information includes a comparison between the adjusted garment processing program execution parameters and the current garment processing program execution parameters.

[0025] This invention presents the differences in program adjustments intuitively by comparing the old and new parameters, reducing the user's understanding cost and enhancing the user-friendliness of human-computer interaction.

[0026] A further solution is that the method for detecting the mid-process clothing addition command being triggered in step S1 includes,

[0027] The button to add clothing during the testing process was triggered.

[0028] Alternatively, detect the remote device pushing an order to the clothing processing equipment to add clothes midway through the process;

[0029] Alternatively, during the garment processing operation, the detection sensor triggers the operation to identify the garment;

[0030] Alternatively, during the clothing processing operation, a door-opening operation can be detected and triggered.

[0031] Preferably, the operation of detecting the sensor to trigger the identification of clothing includes the operation of detecting the sensor to trigger the identification of clothing in a designated area;

[0032] Preferably, the detection triggers the opening of the door, including the sensor recognizing the user's touch of the door handle, or the detection that the garment handling equipment receives an instruction to open the door.

[0033] A further solution is that the method for obtaining the feature parameters of the clothing to be added midway in step S2 includes,

[0034] Remotely push the feature parameters of the clothing to be added;

[0035] Alternatively, sensors can detect characteristic parameters of the clothing to be added;

[0036] Alternatively, the user can input the characteristic parameters of the clothing to be added.

[0037] This invention employs multiple parameter acquisition methods, including remote push, sensor detection, and user input, to cover different scenario needs, such as smart home linkage or manual operation, thereby improving the flexibility and accuracy of parameter collection.

[0038] A further proposed solution is to include the following characteristic parameters for the clothing to be added:

[0039] Weight, material, color, type, water absorption rate, soiling level, and odor.

[0040] A further proposed solution is that the above-mentioned adjusted execution parameters include at least one of the following: remaining time, water replenishment volume, type of supplementary treatment agent, dosage of supplementary treatment agent, adjusted water temperature, number of rinses, dehydration speed, and drying temperature.

[0041] The present invention also provides a garment processing device, including a memory, a processor, and a computer program stored in the memory and executable on the processor, wherein the processor executes the program to implement the garment processing device control method provided above by the present invention.

[0042] The present invention also provides a computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, the program being executed by a processor to implement the clothing processing equipment control method provided above by the present invention.

[0043] By adopting the above technical solution, the present invention has the following beneficial effects compared with the prior art.

[0044] This invention notifies users of the adjusted execution parameters, solving the problem of "lack of information transparency" in the prior art. This allows users to understand the program status after adding clothes midway, avoiding blind waiting or misoperation, significantly improving interactivity, user operation transparency, and user experience.

[0045] Before unlocking the door midway through the process, this invention predicts program compatibility based on the characteristic parameters of the clothing to be added, and only unlocks the door after confirming that clothing can be added. This prevents repeated opening and closing of the door, program restarts, or energy waste caused by clothing incompatibility, reduces time loss and operational redundancy, and avoids invalid operations and resource waste.

[0046] Before adding clothes midway through the process, this invention intelligently obtains and adjusts execution parameters such as water replenishment, treatment agent type, and number of rinses based on the acquired clothing characteristic parameters, ensuring the washing safety and cleaning effect of clothes of different materials, while optimizing the efficiency of water and electricity resource utilization and accurately adapting to the clothing processing needs.

[0047] This invention simultaneously notifies users of the time required to open the door before or after unlocking, helping them estimate the operation time, reducing program idle waiting, and improving overall operating efficiency.

[0048] This invention supports multi-channel collaboration, including remote command triggering, parameter pushing, local sensors, and user input, covering smart home linkage and manual operation scenarios. It enhances the adaptability of smart home scenarios, improves the flexibility and universality of technical solutions, and meets diverse usage needs.

[0049] The specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0050] The accompanying drawings, as part of this invention, are used to provide a further understanding of the invention. The illustrative embodiments and descriptions of the invention are used to explain the invention, but do not constitute an undue limitation of the invention. Obviously, the drawings described below are merely some embodiments, and those skilled in the art can obtain other drawings based on these drawings without creative effort. In the drawings:

[0051] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the clothing processing device of the present invention;

[0052] Figure 2This is a flowchart of the main steps of the clothing processing equipment control method of the present invention;

[0053] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the modular structure of the garment processing equipment of the present invention;

[0054] In the diagram: 100. Clothing processing equipment; 1. Housing; 2. Drum assembly; 21. Drum; 3. Clothing loading port; 4. Door; 101. Memory; 102. Processor; 103. Communication module; 104. Instruction detection module; 105. Acquisition module; 106. Determination module; 107. Information feedback module; 108. Judgment module; 109. Execution module; 110. Door lock module.

[0055] It should be noted that these accompanying drawings and textual descriptions are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way, but rather to illustrate the concept of the invention to those skilled in the art by referring to specific embodiments. Detailed Implementation

[0056] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments are used to illustrate the present invention, but are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0057] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The configuration of the device or the control method described below are only for illustrating embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, and the same reference numerals denote the same constituent elements throughout the specification.

[0058] The specific terminology used in this specification is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments. For example, expressions such as "same" and "identical" not only indicate a state of strict identicalness but also indicate a state of having tolerances or differences in the degree to which the same function is achieved.

[0059] like Figure 1As shown, the clothing processing device 100 of the present invention includes a housing 1, a drum assembly 2 disposed within the housing 1, a clothing inlet 3 for feeding clothing into the drum assembly 2, and a door 4 for opening and closing the clothing inlet 3. The drum assembly 2 includes a rotatable drum 21, capable of performing washing, drying, and care treatments on the clothing inside the drum 21. Common clothing processing devices include washing machines and washer-dryer combos. Among them, washing machines mainly focus on cleaning clothing, removing stains from clothing through different washing programs and methods; washer-dryer combos not only have washing functions but can also dry clothing after washing, providing users with a more convenient one-stop clothing processing service. The aforementioned clothing covers a wide range, including bedding, curtains, sofa covers, and other fabrics, which are not limited in this embodiment of the present invention.

[0060] Garment handling equipment is typically pre-programmed with at least one garment handling program. These programs are carefully designed based on different garment materials, types, and common user needs. For example, slow wash programs are suitable for delicate fabrics requiring gentle handling; fast wash programs are for less soiled garments that require a certain washing time; bulky item wash programs are specifically designed for larger fabrics such as sheets and curtains; some garment handling equipment designs programs directly according to garment material, such as cotton and linen wash, wool wash, etc.; single main wash, single rinse, single spin-dry programs meet users' individual needs for specific washing steps; and wash + dry programs provide convenience for users who need to complete both washing and drying operations.

[0061] After starting, the garment handling equipment executes the selected garment handling program. Based on the pre-configured program, it processes the clothes inside the drum. Taking a washing machine's washing program as an example, a complete washing program typically includes at least one washing stage, such as a main wash, a rinsing stage, and a spin-drying stage. Each washing stage may be omitted or executed multiple times; the specific execution depends on the pre-configured program, which can be a factory preset or a personalized setting by the user according to actual needs.

[0062] There are various ways to start a laundry program in a garment processing device. It can be initiated in response to user instructions, such as pressing a button on the device, rotating a knob, touching a touchscreen, speaking, making gestures, or remotely controlling the device via a central control device or mobile phone. Alternatively, the garment processing device can automatically select and start a washing program after detecting that washing conditions are met. The timing of the washing program's start can be immediate, based on met conditions, or scheduled. This invention does not limit the method or specific timing of user-initiated washing programs; it is merely used to illustrate application scenarios.

[0063] After a laundry detergent program starts, a common scenario arises where users need to add clothes to the machine. In some laundry detergent programs and certain washing stages, users are allowed to freely add clothes mid-cycle. For example, if the detergent door is unlocked (e.g., in a front-loading washing machine during water intake but before the water level exceeds a preset threshold) or lacks a door-locking function (e.g., in a top-loading washing machine), users can directly open the door and add clothes. However, in other laundry detergent programs or certain washing stages, users are only allowed to open the door and add clothes after certain unlocking conditions are met. For example, for front-loading washing machines / washer-dryer combos, the detergent door is usually locked during the washing process. Users can instruct the detergent to unlock the door by pressing the pause / add clothes mid-cycle / unlock button, by using voice commands to pause / add clothes mid-cycle / unlock, or by using control software installed on their mobile phones to instruct the detergent to pause / add clothes mid-cycle / unlock before adding clothes. After a washing program is started, some garment processing devices, to ensure user safety, typically stop the current washing program before unlocking is required or when the door is detected as open, and only resume the program after the door is locked again. However, because the weight of the clothes inside the drum changes, continuing only the unfinished portion of the original washing program may result in incomplete cleaning, leading to reduced garment processing efficiency.

[0064] Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating the main steps of the garment handling equipment control method according to the present invention. Figure 2 As shown, the present invention provides a control method for a garment processing device, which includes the following steps during the operation of the garment processing program:

[0065] S1. The "add clothes" command was triggered midway through the process;

[0066] S2. Obtain the feature parameters of clothing to be added midway;

[0067] S3. In response to the feature parameters of the clothing to be added, obtain the adjusted execution parameters corresponding to the current clothing processing program;

[0068] S4. Notify the user of the adjusted execution parameters.

[0069] During the current clothing processing procedure, the feature parameters of the clothing to be added are obtained to obtain the corresponding adjusted execution parameters. The adjusted execution parameter information is then notified to the user, which significantly improves the user's sense of control over the program's execution status, avoids blind waiting or misoperation, significantly improves the interactivity, and enhances the transparency and user experience.

[0070] The clothing handling equipment control method provided in this invention provides a control method for detecting the triggering of a mid-process clothing addition command. "Mid-process" refers to the process of the clothing handling equipment executing the clothing handling program. This process can be understood as any stage within the washing program, including the pause stage, or any stage within the care program. Triggering a mid-process clothing addition command means that the equipment detects the user's intention to add clothing mid-process.

[0071] For example, taking a washing machine as an example, a "add clothes mid-cycle" command is an instruction from the user to add clothes mid-cycle when the washing machine has started its washing program. The "add clothes mid-cycle" command can be detected through voice commands, touch keys or buttons, or commands pushed from a remote device.

[0072] In a further solution, the method for detecting the mid-process clothing addition command being triggered in step S1 includes,

[0073] The button to add clothing during the testing process was triggered.

[0074] Alternatively, detect the remote device pushing an order to the clothing processing equipment to add clothes midway through the process;

[0075] Alternatively, during the garment processing operation, the detection sensor triggers the operation to identify the garment;

[0076] Alternatively, during the clothing processing operation, a door-opening operation can be detected and triggered.

[0077] A "add clothing mid-process" command is a user's instruction to add clothing mid-process when the clothing handling device has started its clothing handling program. The detection method for a "add clothing mid-process" command can include voice command detection, touch key or button detection, or remote terminal command detection.

[0078] In some examples, the garment handling device detects the activation of the "Add Clothes Mid-Process" button in at least one of the following ways: For instance, a dedicated "Add Clothes Mid-Process" button is provided on the garment handling device's control panel. When the user needs to add clothes mid-process, pressing this button will trigger the device to detect the "Add Clothes Mid-Process" instruction. This method is simple and direct, easy for users to understand and operate.

[0079] Remote Push: Detects remote push notifications to the laundry processing device to add clothes mid-cycle. With the development of smart home technology, users can install corresponding control software on remote devices such as mobile phones and tablets. During device operation, they can send mid-cycle add-clothes commands to the laundry processing device through the software interface. For example, if a user's mobile app, such as "Smart Wardrobe" or "Laundry Basket," records forgotten clothes, the app information can be pushed to the running washing machine via the phone, allowing for convenient control by sending mid-cycle add-clothes commands through the mobile app.

[0080] Sensor-triggered clothing recognition: During the clothing processing operation, sensors are detected to trigger the recognition of clothing. Specifically, sensors can be detected to trigger the recognition of clothing in a designated area. For example, a sensor (camera) can be placed near the clothing inlet of the clothing processing equipment. When new clothing enters the sensor's sensing area, the sensor is triggered, and the equipment detects a possible addition of clothing. This method allows for more intelligent detection of clothing additions without requiring manual button operation by the user.

[0081] Detecting triggers for door opening: During the laundry processing cycle, the system detects triggers for door opening. This includes sensors recognizing user touches of the door handle or detecting when the laundry processing equipment receives a command to open the door. For example, in some laundry processing devices with smart locks, when sensors detect a user touching the door handle, the device can preliminarily determine that the user may intend to add clothes mid-cycle; or when the device receives a command to open the door, such as "Open the washing machine door" issued via a voice assistant, it is also considered to have detected a possible mid-cycle clothing addition operation. This voice-triggered method provides great convenience for users, especially when their hands are busy or they are far from the control panel, as they can easily send a command to add clothes mid-cycle with a simple voice command.

[0082] In a further embodiment, the method for obtaining the feature parameters of the clothing to be added midway in step S2 includes:

[0083] Remotely push the feature parameters of the clothing to be added;

[0084] Alternatively, sensors can detect characteristic parameters of the clothing to be added;

[0085] Alternatively, the user can input the characteristic parameters of the clothing to be added.

[0086] To achieve precise adjustment of execution parameters after adding clothing midway through the clothing processing procedure, this invention requires obtaining the characteristic parameters of the clothing to be added. In some examples, the control method of this invention employs at least one of the following methods for obtaining the characteristic parameters of the clothing to be added:

[0087] Remote push of garment feature parameters: Users can manually input relevant feature parameters of the garments to be added, such as weight, material, color, and type, in the control software of a remote terminal device, and / or obtain relevant feature parameters of the garments by scanning tags or image recognition. These parameters are then pushed to the garment processing equipment via the software. For example, a user can open the washing machine's control software on their mobile phone and, in the interface for adding garments mid-cycle, push the following information, which is either manually entered or obtained through recognition: "The garments to be added are two cotton short-sleeved shirts, weighing approximately 0.5 kg," to the running washing machine.

[0088] Sensors detect the characteristic parameters of the clothing to be added: Sensors are installed in the clothing processing equipment. For example, weight sensors can detect the weight of the clothing; material sensors can identify the material properties of the clothing; color sensors can identify the color of the clothing, and for example, an infrared reflectance spectrometer can identify the color and material of the clothing. Alternatively, image sensors can identify clothing tags to obtain relevant characteristic parameters of the clothing. For example, when a user places the clothing to be added in a specific position at the clothing dispensing chute, the camera scans the clothing tag to obtain the clothing information corresponding to the tag.

[0089] Users input the characteristics of the clothing to be added: Users can input the characteristics of the clothing to be added into the device through buttons, touch screen on the control panel, or voice input. For example, a dedicated parameter input interface can be set up on the control panel of the washing machine, where users can input information such as the material and type of the clothing through button or touch operation; or users can say "I want to add a linen shirt" in the voice, and the device's voice recognition system will recognize and record the information.

[0090] In the above embodiments, the characteristic parameters of the clothing to be added include, but are not limited to, at least one of the following: clothing weight, material, color, type, water absorption rate, degree of soiling, and odor. These characteristic parameters are of great significance for the subsequent precise adjustment of the execution parameters of the clothing processing program. For example, different materials of clothing have different requirements for washing methods, water temperature, and detergents; the weight of the clothing will affect the load balance and water consumption during the washing process; color is related to whether it needs to be washed separately to prevent color bleeding; parameters such as water absorption rate, degree of soiling, and odor will also affect the specific settings of the washing program. For example, highly soiled clothing may require increased washing time or detergent dosage, and clothing with a high water absorption rate may affect the number of rinses, spin speed, spin time, drying temperature, and drying time.

[0091] In a further embodiment, in step S3, in response to the characteristic parameters of the garment to be added, the corresponding adjusted execution parameters are obtained for the current garment processing program. The adjusted execution parameters include, but are not limited to, at least one of the following: remaining time, water replenishment amount, type of supplementary treatment agent, dosage of supplementary treatment agent, adjusted water temperature, number of rinses, spin speed, and drying temperature.

[0092] Once the garment handling equipment acquires the characteristic parameters of the garment to be added midway through the wash cycle, it adjusts subsequent execution parameters based on pre-set algorithms and rules, combined with the already executed parameters of the current garment handling program. For example, if the equipment detects that the garment to be added is cotton and heavy, and the current washing program is in the main wash stage, it may increase the water supply to ensure the garment is fully soaked; adjust the water temperature to a suitable range for washing cotton garments; increase the amount of additive treatment to better remove stains; and recalculate the remaining time based on the increased load weight and the elapsed washing time to ensure washing effectiveness.

[0093] In one embodiment, the present invention provides a model for calculating the remaining time after adding clothes midway through the journey, comprising:

[0094] Based on the ratio of the newly added clothing weight ΔW to the current load weight W0, according to the formula:

[0095] T1 = T0 * (1 + k * ΔW / W0)

[0096] Where T1 is the remaining time after adding clothes, T0 is the remaining time of the current clothing processing procedure, and k is the material coefficient (e.g., k = 0.3 for cotton, k = 0.2 for synthetic fibers).

[0097] Example: If the current program has 30 minutes remaining, and 2kg of cotton clothing is added (original load 5kg), then the remaining time after adjustment = 30 * (1 + 0.3 * 2 / 5) = 33.6 minutes.

[0098] In one embodiment, the water temperature and treatment agent adjustment logic provided by the present invention is as follows:

[0099] If new clothing contains materials that are prone to fading (such as dark wool), the water temperature will be automatically lowered to below 30°C, and the amount of color-protecting agent added will be increased.

[0100] If new clothes have high water absorption (such as towels), increase the number of rinses to 2 and add 50ml of fabric softener.

[0101] Furthermore, the garment handling equipment has a weight limit for the clothes it can process. For example, a 10kg washing machine will have a weight limit of 10kg for the clothes it can load. If this limit is exceeded, an alarm will be triggered and the program will be paused. Therefore, the total weight of clothes to be added mid-cycle and the total weight of clothes currently in the drum cannot exceed 10kg. If this limit is exceeded, a reminder will be given not to add clothes mid-cycle, or the number of clothes to be added mid-cycle will be reduced.

[0102] In a further embodiment, the method for notifying the user of the adjusted execution parameter information in step S4 includes notifying the user of the adjusted execution parameter information in at least one of the following ways: text, sound, pattern, and animation.

[0103] For example, users can be notified in text form: the adjustment parameters can be displayed on the washing machine's screen. For instance, the washing machine's screen might show information such as "Remaining time after adjustment: 45 minutes, water replenishment increased by 5 liters, water temperature adjusted to 35℃." This method allows users to quickly grasp key information and is suitable for viewing while near the operating equipment.

[0104] Notifying users via voice: The laundry processing device informs users of adjusted execution parameters through a built-in speaker or other audio-playing devices connected to the device. For example, a voice prompt might say, "Dear user, the washing program will be adjusted after you added clothes midway through the cycle. The remaining time is now 45 minutes, the water replenishment has increased by 2L, and the detergent dosage has also increased." Voice notifications are convenient for users who are far from the device or whose hands are busy.

[0105] Notifying users with visual aids: Adjustments to parameters can be indicated by displaying specific icons on the screen. For example, a water droplet icon next to a number can represent an increase in water supply; a temperature gauge icon displaying the changed temperature value can represent an adjustment in water temperature. This method conveys information in a more intuitive and visual way, making it more user-friendly for those less familiar with text or with poor eyesight.

[0106] Notify users with animation: Use dynamic animation effects on the display screen to notify users to adjust parameters. For example, an animation showing the water level rising inside the washing machine can indicate an increase in water supply; a rotating icon can represent a countdown of remaining time. Animated notifications can attract users' attention and make information delivery more vivid and interesting.

[0107] In a preferred example, the adjusted execution parameter information includes a comparison between the adjusted and current garment processing program parameters. Displaying this comparison information to the user allows for a more intuitive understanding of the program adjustments caused by adding clothes mid-cycle, facilitating time management. For example, the device can display on its screen: "Original wash program remaining time: 30 minutes; adjusted remaining time: 45 minutes; original water temperature: 30℃; adjusted water temperature: 35℃; original detergent dosage: 20 ml; adjusted dosage: 25 ml," and so on. This allows users to clearly see the specific changes in the garment processing program due to adding clothes mid-cycle, thus better understanding the entire washing process. Furthermore, this information can help users determine whether to add clothes mid-cycle.

[0108] Preferably, the comparison information displayed to the user on the screen should highlight changes in key parameters (such as remaining time and water temperature) and mark the differences with bright color blocks.

[0109] More preferably, the above-mentioned adjustment execution parameters can be manually confirmed or modified by the user. For example, the user can fine-tune parameters such as time, temperature, water volume, or dosage through the APP slider, or adjust the above-mentioned execution parameters through the plus and minus buttons such as "+" and "-", or modify the execution parameters by direct input.

[0110] In a further embodiment, after notifying the user of the adjusted execution parameter information in step S4, the clothing handling equipment control method of the present invention includes step S5 to determine whether to perform the mid-process clothing addition operation. This step is mainly to confirm whether the user still decides to perform the mid-process clothing addition operation after being informed of the adjustment information. The determination method can be through the user's confirmation operation, for example, the user clicks the "Confirm Add Clothes" button on the device display screen; or by replying "Confirm Add Clothes" via voice, etc. If the user confirms to perform the mid-process clothing addition, the device continues the subsequent unlocking and opening of the door and clothing addition process; if the user cancels, the device can continue to operate according to the original program before the adjustment, or perform corresponding operations according to the user's new instructions.

[0111] In some embodiments, the clothing handling device control method of the present invention includes a step of performing mid-process unlocking and door opening, which is set before or after step S4;

[0112] Preferably, the step of unlocking and opening the door midway is set after step S4. In response to step S4, after confirming that clothes are added midway, the unlocking and opening of the door is performed.

[0113] Preferably, in response to the step of unlocking and opening the door midway, the system obtains the time information required to open the door and notifies the user of the opening time information;

[0114] Alternatively, the step of unlocking and opening the door midway can be set before step S4 and after step S1. In response to the step of unlocking and opening the door midway, the time information required to open the door can be obtained and the time information of opening the door can be notified to the user.

[0115] Preferably, the user is notified of the door opening time along with the adjusted execution parameters.

[0116] Specifically, in one example, the step of unlocking and opening the door mid-cycle is set before step S4 and after step S1. In response to this step, the time required for opening the door is obtained, and the user is notified of this time. In this case, when the device detects that the "add clothes mid-cycle" command has been triggered and preliminarily determines that the "unlock and open the door mid-cycle" operation can be performed, it begins to calculate the time required for opening the door and informs the user of this information in advance. For example, after the user presses the "add clothes mid-cycle" button, the device detects that the relevant conditions meet the door opening requirements, calculates that it will take 2 minutes to prepare for opening the door, and immediately prompts the user via voice, "The washing machine door is expected to open in 2 minutes, please wait." Furthermore, it is preferable to notify the user of the door opening time information along with the adjusted execution parameter information, so that the user can obtain both important pieces of information simultaneously and better manage their time.

[0117] Alternatively, in another example, the step of unlocking and opening the door mid-cycle is set after step S4. In response to step S4, after the user confirms adding clothes mid-cycle, the door unlocking and opening is performed. More preferably, in response to the step of unlocking and opening the door mid-cycle, the time information required for opening the door is obtained, and the user is notified of the opening time. For example, after calculating and displaying the adjusted execution parameters to the user, the device calculates the time required for opening the door based on the current operating status of the device, such as the time required for operations like reducing the spin speed, reducing the drum temperature, and adjusting the water level during drainage. If the calculation shows that 3 minutes are needed to meet the opening conditions, the device can inform the user via voice or display screen, "Please wait 3 minutes, and the washing machine door can be opened to add clothes."

[0118] Once the clothing handling equipment initially determines that adding clothes mid-cycle is permissible, or the user confirms the need to add clothes mid-cycle, it still needs to determine whether the door can be unlocked based on the parameter information of the currently running program. For example, taking a washing machine as an example, it needs to obtain some parameter information of the washing machine currently performing the wash cycle, such as the washing machine's temperature, water level, and spin speed. Unlocking conditions can be set to ensure the washing machine can unlock and open safely and without malfunctions. For example, the temperature inside the washing machine drum, the water level inside the drum, and the drum's rotation speed must meet preset safety conditions.

[0119] In another embodiment of the present invention, optionally, the determination of whether the current washing parameters meet the corresponding unlocking and door-opening conditions based on the weight of clothes added during the washing cycle includes: if the drum temperature is lower than a preset temperature threshold and the spin speed is lower than a preset spin speed, determining whether the current water level is lower than the unlocking and door-opening water level corresponding to the weight of the added clothes. Alternatively, determining whether the sum of the weight of clothes added during the washing cycle and the current weight of clothes in the drum exceeds the maximum load capacity of the washing machine; if the sum exceeds the maximum load capacity, unlocking and door-opening is not allowed; or reminding the user to reduce the amount of clothes added during the washing cycle, and unlocking and door-opening is allowed after the user confirms.

[0120] To ensure the washing machine can open safely and without malfunction, the system can detect whether the temperature, spin speed, and water level meet the corresponding conditions. For example, it can detect whether the temperature inside the washing machine drum is lower than a preset temperature threshold, such as below 50°C. This can be achieved using a temperature sensor. When the temperature inside the drum is below the preset threshold, it ensures that the user will not be injured by excessively high temperatures when opening the washing machine.

[0121] For example, it can detect whether the washing machine's spin speed is lower than a preset speed, such as whether the spin speed is lower than 10 rpm. Generally, the door is allowed to open when the spin speed is set to 0. The detection method can be to use a speed sensor to detect the spin speed. Unlocking the door when the spin speed is lower than the preset speed can ensure that the user will not be injured due to excessive spin speed when opening the washing machine, or that water, clothes, etc. will be spun out as the washing machine spins.

[0122] For example, it can be determined whether the current water level corresponds to the unlocking / door-opening water level, generally with the water level being lower than the lower edge of the clothes inlet as a preset condition. This can be determined using a water level sensor. Further, it can be determined whether the water level is lower than the unlocking / door-opening water level corresponding to the added weight of clothes. If the water level is lower than the lower edge of the clothes inlet, but the added weight would cause the water level to rise above the lower edge, then a portion of the water corresponding to the added weight can be drained before unlocking the door. This method ensures that the washing machine will not overflow due to excessive water level when the user opens it; different unlocking / door-opening water levels can be set for different added weights; it avoids the washing machine overflowing if a large amount of clothes are added when a fixed unlocking / door-opening water level is set; or, if a small amount of clothes are added and the washing machine lowers the water level to the fixed unlocking / door-opening water level, the water level inside the drum drops excessively, resulting in wasted resources.

[0123] In this embodiment, the door can only be unlocked and opened to add clothes if the conditions for adding clothes midway through the process are met; otherwise, the door of the clothing handling device cannot be opened. In one embodiment, the clothing handling device is a washing machine, and the parameter information of the clothing handling device includes at least one of the following: the drum temperature, the drum water level, and the drum speed. The conditions for adding clothes include: setting the drum temperature to be lower than a preset temperature, and / or setting the drum water level to be lower than a preset water level; and / or setting the current drum speed to be lower than a preset speed as the unlocking and opening condition.

[0124] The laundry equipment determines the time required to open the door based on the conditions for unlocking during the process, such as reducing drum speed, lowering drum temperature, and adjusting water level. This method allows users to know in advance when they can add clothes to the machine, and it will automatically pause and wait when the time is up, saving users time and achieving the desired washing effect.

[0125] The clothing processing equipment control method of the present invention requires the user to confirm whether to execute the mid-process clothing addition command after detecting and triggering the command. After confirming the mid-process clothing addition, the user puts the clothes to be added into the drum and then operates the equipment to execute the subsequent clothing processing procedure. Therefore, the clothing processing equipment of the present invention also has the functions of confirming the execution of the mid-process clothing addition command and completing the mid-process clothing addition command.

[0126] Understandably, depending on the design logic, triggering the "add clothes midway" instruction, confirming the execution of the "add clothes midway" instruction, and completing the "add clothes midway" instruction can all be triggered by different operations or combinations of operations. It can also be triggered by signals acquired by sensors.

[0127] For example, these instructions are triggered based on user input, including physical interaction triggers, remote command triggers, voice command triggers, and gesture triggers. For instance, during the washing program, the system detects button or touch screen commands on the device's control panel; receives operation signals from remote devices such as mobile apps and smart home control terminals; integrates a voice recognition module to parse user voice commands; and integrates an image recognition module to recognize user gestures.

[0128] It is understandable that for physical interaction triggers, the names of the above operations in the clothing processing equipment may be different, such as confirm, confirm adding clothes, add clothes midway, pause, add clothes midway, and complete adding clothes.

[0129] The "add clothes midway" command can also be triggered by sensor prediction: infrared sensors or cameras can be used to identify the user's movement near the door (such as touching the door handle). The device can also detect a door unlocking request during operation (such as an interruption of the electronic lock signal).

[0130] After the mid-cycle clothing addition instruction is triggered, the garment processing equipment will notify the user of the relevant information. After the user decides whether to proceed with the mid-cycle clothing addition, they can confirm the addition by pressing a button, issuing a voice command, or making a gesture. After the user places the clothing to be added into the equipment, they can also indicate to the garment processing equipment that the mid-cycle clothing addition has been completed by pressing a button, issuing a voice command, or making a gesture. The garment processing equipment will then wash the garment according to the adjusted execution parameters.

[0131] Furthermore, the aforementioned instructions can also be triggered by a combination of multiple operations. For example, detecting door opening and closing operations during the washing program of a laundry appliance. Alternatively, different combinations of buttons can trigger different instructions. Or, different instruction triggers can be achieved by using different pressing times or frequencies on the same button. For example, for the "Add Clothes Mid-Cycle" button, pressing it once triggers adding clothes mid-cycle, pressing it twice confirms adding clothes mid-cycle, and pressing it three times completes adding clothes mid-cycle.

[0132] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the modular structure of the garment processing device of the present invention. Figure 3 As shown, one embodiment of the present invention also provides a clothing processing device 100, including a memory 101, a processor 102, and a computer program stored in the memory 101 and executable on the processor 102. The processor 102 executes the program to implement the clothing processing device control method provided in any embodiment of the present invention. It is understood that the clothing processing device 100 may also include other unit modules, including at least one of the following: a communication module 103. For example, the communication module 103 includes, but is not limited to, a Bluetooth module, an infrared module, and a WIFI module. The clothing processing device 100 can communicate with other electronic devices through the communication module 103. These other electronic devices may be devices equipped with corresponding communication modules, such as servers, mobile phones, tablets, smart home appliances, and routers. The electronic devices and the clothing processing device can communicate through the communication technology used by the communication module 103.

[0133] The instruction detection module 104 is used to detect the instructions issued by the user, which may include instructions to add clothes midway, pause instructions, start instructions, etc. The instruction detection module 104 may be implemented in the form of a touch panel, button, etc.

[0134] The acquisition module 105 is used to acquire the feature parameters of the clothing;

[0135] The determination module 106 determines the execution parameters for adjustment based on the characteristic parameters of the clothing to be added midway.

[0136] Information feedback module 107 is used to notify the user of execution parameter information;

[0137] Decision module 108 is used to determine whether to add clothes midway;

[0138] The execution module 109 is used to control the clothing handling equipment to meet the conditions for unlocking and opening the door when it is determined that clothing is added midway;

[0139] Door lock module 110 is used to control the unlocking of the door.

[0140] An embodiment of the present invention also provides a computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, the program being executed by a processor to implement the garment processing equipment control method as provided in any embodiment of the present invention.

[0141] Optionally, the computer-readable storage medium can be applied to a garment processing device provided in one embodiment of the present invention, wherein the program stored thereon is executed by a processor in the garment processing device. In other embodiments, the computer-readable storage medium can also be applied to other electronic devices besides the controlled garment processing device. These other electronic devices can communicate with the garment processing device, and when the processor of the other electronic device executes the garment processing device control method provided in any embodiment of the present invention, it sends instructions to the garment processing device through communication with the garment processing device to achieve control of the garment processing device.

[0142] One embodiment of the present invention also provides a computer program product, including a computer program that is executed by a processor to implement the garment processing equipment control method as provided in any embodiment of the present invention. Similar to a computer-readable storage medium, the computer program can also be executed by the garment processing equipment or an electronic device communicating with the garment processing equipment, as will not be elaborated further.

[0143] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention in any way. Although the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art can make some modifications or alterations to the above-described technical content to create equivalent embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. The implementation schemes in the above embodiments can be further combined or replaced. Any simple modifications, equivalent changes and alterations made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention shall still fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A control method for a garment processing device, characterized in that, The clothing processing procedure includes the following steps: S1. The "add clothes" command was triggered midway through the process; S2. Obtain the feature parameters of clothing to be added midway; S3. In response to the feature parameters of the clothing to be added, obtain the adjusted execution parameters corresponding to the current clothing processing program; S4. Notify the user of the adjusted execution parameters.

2. The control method for clothing processing equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, After step S4 notifies the user of the adjusted execution parameter information, step S5 determines whether to add clothes midway through the execution.

3. The control method for clothing processing equipment according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, This includes the step of unlocking and opening the door midway, which is set before or after step S4; Preferably, the step of unlocking and opening the door midway is set after step S4. In response to step S4, after confirming that clothes are added midway, the unlocking and opening of the door is performed. Preferably, in response to the step of unlocking and opening the door midway, the system obtains the time information required to open the door and notifies the user of the opening time information; Alternatively, the step of unlocking and opening the door midway can be set before step S4 and after step S1. In response to the step of unlocking and opening the door midway, the time information required to open the door can be obtained and the time information of opening the door can be notified to the user. Preferably, the user is notified of the door opening time along with the adjusted execution parameters.

4. The control method for clothing processing equipment according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The method for notifying the user of the adjusted execution parameter information in step S4 includes notifying the user of the adjusted execution parameter information in at least one of the following ways: text, sound, pattern, and animation. Preferably, the adjusted execution parameter information includes a comparison between the adjusted garment processing program execution parameters and the current garment processing program execution parameters.

5. The control method for the garment processing equipment according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The methods for detecting the mid-process clothing addition command being triggered in step S1 include: The button to add clothing during the testing process was triggered. Alternatively, detect the remote device pushing an order to the clothing processing equipment to add clothes midway through the process; Alternatively, during the garment processing operation, the detection sensor triggers the operation to identify the garment; Alternatively, during the clothing processing operation, a door-opening operation can be detected and triggered. Preferably, the operation of detecting the sensor to trigger the identification of clothing includes the operation of detecting the sensor to trigger the identification of clothing in a designated area; Preferably, the detection triggers the opening of the door, including the sensor recognizing the user's touch of the door handle, or the detection that the garment handling equipment receives an instruction to open the door.

6. The control method for the garment processing equipment according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The method for obtaining the feature parameters of clothing to be added midway in step S2 includes: Remotely push the feature parameters of the clothing to be added; Alternatively, sensors can detect characteristic parameters of the clothing to be added; Alternatively, the user can input the characteristic parameters of the clothing to be added.

7. The control method for clothing processing equipment according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The characteristic parameters of the clothing to be added include: Weight, material, color, type, water absorption rate, soiling level, and odor.

8. The control method for the garment processing equipment according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The adjusted execution parameters include at least one of the following: remaining time, water replenishment volume, type of supplementary treatment agent, dosage of supplementary treatment agent, adjusted water temperature, number of rinses, dehydration speed, and drying temperature.

9. A garment processing device, comprising a memory, a processor, and a computer program stored in the memory and executable on the processor, characterized in that, The processor executes the program to implement the control method as described in any one of claims 1-8.

10. A computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, characterized in that, The program is executed by a processor to implement the control method as described in any one of claims 1-8.

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