Method for operating a laundry care device and laundry care device

Abstract

The presented approach relates to a method for operating a laundry care appliance. The method comprises a step (605) of reading a motion signal via an interface to a motion sensor of the laundry care appliance. The motion signal indicates movement in the vicinity of the laundry care appliance. The method further comprises a step (610) of providing a wake-up signal in response to the motion signal. The wake-up signal is designed to wake the laundry care appliance from a sleep mode.

Description

[0001] The present approach relates to a method for operating a laundry care appliance and a laundry care appliance.

[0002] A conventional laundry appliance, such as a washing machine, dryer, or washer-dryer, is switched on before loading. However, laundry can also be loaded even when the appliance is switched off. This can happen because a user approaching the appliance with laundry can load it through an already open loading door (also called door opening, door unit, or simply door) without switching the appliance on first. A closed door can be opened without switching the appliance on, so in this case, too, the user can load the appliance before switching it on.

[0003] WO 2014 / 088333 A1 discloses a proximity sensor that is used to activate an input unit of a washing machine.

[0004] US patent 2022 / 195652 A1 discloses a washing machine. A proximity sensor can be used to wake the machine from sleep mode. Images are captured while the drum is being loaded and analyzed using AI to characterize the load.

[0005] US Patent 2023 / 124027 A1 discloses a washing machine in which a trigger is activated when a person is detected by a proximity sensor. In response to the trigger, a camera is activated to record the load. The captured images are then analyzed using AI to recognize a predetermined condition. Upon fulfilling this condition, a wash cycle can be automatically started, or operating parameters of the washing machine can be adjusted to improve cleaning results.

[0006] The JP 2017 038771 A discloses the activation of a drum light in a washing machine when a person is detected.

[0007] The approach presented here aims to create an improved method for operating a laundry care device as well as an improved laundry care device.

[0008] According to the invention, this problem is solved by a method for operating a laundry care appliance and by a laundry care appliance having the features of the main claims. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the presented approach are described in the following dependent claims.

[0009] The advantages achievable with the invention are based on simplified operation of a laundry care appliance.

[0010] A procedure for operating a laundry care appliance includes the following steps: Reading a motion signal via an interface to a motion sensor of the laundry care appliance, wherein the motion signal indicates movement in the area of ​​the laundry care appliance; and providing a wake-up signal responding to the motion signal, wherein the wake-up signal is designed to wake the laundry care appliance from a sleep mode.

[0011] A laundry appliance, in this context, refers to an electrical household appliance used for the care of laundry items, such as a tumble dryer, drying unit, washing machine, or fully automatic washer-dryer. Sleep mode can also be called standby mode or sleep mode. In sleep mode, the energy consumption of the laundry appliance can be minimized by deactivating unnecessary components. The motion sensor can be active in sleep mode. The detection range of the motion sensor can cover the area in front of the laundry appliance or the door or drum area. For example, the motion signal can be detected by a person approaching the laundry appliance or by placing an item of clothing into it.Suitable measurement principles, such as those used in motion detectors, can be employed for the motion sensor. Using the motion sensor simplifies the operating process. The laundry appliance can switch on automatically, increasing user convenience. With appropriate sensors integrated with the motion sensor, the laundry appliance can be automatically woken up, thus optimizing the operating sequence.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the motion sensor can detect movement and provide the motion signal in a single step. This has the advantage that the laundry appliance can switch on automatically, thus increasing user convenience, for example, by automatically switching on the drum light and / or a load sensor including a load quantity display.

[0013] As part of the setup process, a lighting signal can be provided in response to the wake-up signal. This lighting signal can be used to activate the drum light of the washing machine. This is advantageous because it improves visibility for the user and for an optional optical sensor when loading the washing machine. This also enhances user comfort.

[0014] In the first step of the setup process, a sensor signal is provided in response to the wake-up signal. This sensor signal is suitable for activating a color sensor device, comprising at least one color sensor, to detect the color of a textile placed in the laundry appliance. In the second step of the reading process, a color signal is read into the color sensor device via an interface. This color signal can indicate at least one color detected by the color sensor device. In the third step of the determination process, a suitable cleaning program for the textile can be determined using the color signal. This has the advantage that the cleaning program can be determined reliably and accurately by detecting the textile's color. A suitable sensor can be used as the color sensor, for example, an RGB color sensor, an RGB color camera, or an IR sensor.

[0015] According to a further embodiment, a program signal can be provided in one step of the provisioning process. This program signal can indicate or start the appropriate cleaning program. This is advantageous because the operating sequence of the cleaning program can be optimized as much as possible and the operating process simplified.

[0016] In the selection step, the appropriate cleaning program is determined using artificial intelligence. This has the advantage that AI continuously improves the accuracy of the suggested cleaning program and the remaining time display. The efficient and practical recognition of user preferences and / or additional requests by the AI, including the corresponding program suggestion, is very convenient and time-saving for the user.

[0017] The approach presented here also creates a control unit designed to execute, control, and implement the steps of a variant of the presented method in corresponding units. This implementation of the approach, in the form of a control unit (which can also be described as electronics), also allows the underlying problem to be solved quickly and efficiently.

[0018] The control unit is designed to read input signals and process them under

[0019] The input signals are used to determine and provide output signals. An input signal can, for example, be a sensor signal readable via an input interface of the control unit. An output signal can be a control signal or a data signal that can be provided at an output interface of the control unit. The control unit can be configured to determine the output signals using a processing instruction implemented in hardware or software. For example, the control unit can include a logic circuit, an integrated circuit, or a software module and may be implemented as a discrete component or comprised of a discrete component.

[0020] The aforementioned laundry care appliance can include the aforementioned control unit or a similar control unit, as well as a motion sensor, which can be used to detect movement. This is advantageous because, with suitable sensors—in this embodiment, the motion sensor—the laundry care appliance can be automatically activated, thus simplifying the operating process and optimizing the workflow. This makes operating the laundry care appliance easier, safer, and faster for the user.

[0021] A computer program product or computer program with program code that can be stored on a machine-readable medium such as semiconductor memory, hard disk memory, or optical memory is also advantageous. If the program product or program is executed on a computer or control unit, it can be used to carry out, implement, and / or control the steps of the method according to one of the embodiments described herein.

[0022] Although the described approach is based on a household appliance, the approach described here can be used accordingly in connection with a commercial or professional device, for example a medical device, such as a cleaning or disinfection device, a small sterilizer, a large-capacity disinfector or a container washing system.

[0023] Examples of the presented approach are shown schematically in the drawings and are described in more detail below. It shows Figure 1 a perspective view of a laundry care device according to an exemplary embodiment; Figure 2 a schematic representation of a drum light for a laundry care appliance according to an exemplary embodiment; Figure 3 a schematic representation of a control unit for a laundry care appliance according to an exemplary embodiment; Figure 4 a schematic representation of a control unit for a laundry care appliance according to an exemplary embodiment; Figure 5 a schematic representation of a control unit for a laundry care appliance according to an exemplary embodiment; and Figure 6 A flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a method for operating a laundry care appliance.

[0024] The same or similar reference symbols are used in the following description for identical or similar elements, and for the sake of clarity, a repeated explanation of the function of these elements is omitted.

[0025] Figure 1 Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a laundry care appliance 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. The laundry care appliance 100 comprises a motion sensor and, optionally, a drum light 110 in the area of ​​a drum opening 105. The motion sensor is, by way of example, arranged in an upper area of ​​a door unit 115 of the laundry care appliance 100 near the drum light 110. The motion sensor, which is described below with reference to Figure 3The device, which is described in more detail below, is designed to detect a person approaching the laundry care appliance and / or movement in the vicinity of the laundry care appliance. As soon as such an approach and / or movement is detected in the area of ​​the door unit 115, the laundry care appliance 100 switches on.

[0026] When the laundry care appliance 100 is switched on, a microcontroller, for example, is powered on from standby mode, and / or a display is switched on, and / or operating elements are activated. Optionally, further functions are executed when the laundry care appliance 100 is switched on – depending on its features, one or more of these. For example, the drum light 110 is switched on to improve visibility when loading the laundry care appliance 100 and / or to illuminate any optical sensors used in or on the laundry care appliance 100. Sensors of the laundry care appliance 100 can be active or activated after the appliance 100 wakes up from sleep mode during loading. This allows for the collection of information about the laundry during the loading process.Such information could be advantageously evaluated for further operating sequences and / or remaining time predictions and / or resource consumption of a cleaning program and / or a drying program. Optionally, at least one color sensor device, described in more detail below, can be activated and / or evaluated. This device can detect at least one color in a central area of ​​the door unit 115, and thus the color of an inserted textile. Optionally, at least one camera pointing towards the door unit 115 can be activated and / or evaluated. Optionally, at least one load sensor – or load sensor for short – can be activated and / or evaluated. This sensor detects the lowering of a washing unit in at least one spring of the laundry appliance 100 during loading, in order to determine the amount of laundry in the laundry appliance 100.A washing unit can be understood as a unit that has a tub containing a rotatably mounted drum.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the laundry care appliance 100 has a Figure 1 The optional load sensor (not shown) includes a magnetic field sensor and a magnet. As laundry is loaded, the washing unit descends in at least one spring as the load increases, causing the magnet to shift. The magnet's position is determined by measuring a magnetic field in three dimensions using the magnetic field sensor. This position is then used to calculate the mass of the laundry load.

[0028] Optionally, after the laundry appliance 100 wakes up from sleep mode, at least one infrared sensor (IR sensor), preferably a NIR sensor (near infrared) and / or a SWIR sensor (short wave infrared), is switched on and / or evaluated to detect textile materials in the laundry appliance 100. After the laundry has been loaded, the door unit 115 is closed according to one embodiment, and the laundry appliance 100 makes program suggestions derived from the acquired data.

[0029] According to the invention, the determined data – in particular, the identified colors and / or materials of the textiles and / or the amount of laundry – are assigned to programs using AI methods, i.e., methods with artificial intelligence. In other words, a program is assigned based on… Figure 3The appropriate cleaning program, as described in more detail below, is determined using the collected data and artificial intelligence. User behavior is also taken into account. The laundry appliance 100, according to one example, remembers the mapping data between sensor data and the programs actually selected by the user, including additional options, and performs a comparison. For example, if the laundry consists mainly of black textiles, the "Dark Wash" program is offered first. However, if the user predominantly selects the "Colored Wash 40°C" program with the "Water Plus" option and a reduced spin speed, for example, 600 rpm, the laundry appliance 100 learns this using AI technology and subsequently offers precisely this program, including its additional options, first. The "Dark Wash" program is then moved to the second position in the program suggestions.

[0030] A program duration is usually specified for each program. Since the program duration also depends on the type and amount of laundry, the collected data is taken into account when determining the program duration. The program duration estimate is also continuously improved automatically through AI-powered processes.

[0031] Figure 2 Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a drum light 110 for a laundry care appliance according to an exemplary embodiment. The drum light 110 can, for example, be used in conjunction with the [device / product] described in Figure 1. Figure 1 The laundry care device shown can be used.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the drum lighting 110 comprises a control unit 200 with at least one light source, a housing 202, and a transparent optical cover 204 with lens function. The control unit 200 is, for example, implemented in the form of electronics.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the drum lighting is activated in response to the washing machine waking up, for example by using a wake-up signal.

[0034] Figure 3 Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a control unit 200 for a laundry care appliance 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. This can be based on… Figure 2 The aforementioned control unit is for a drum lighting system.

[0035] In Figure 3 The diagram shows an arrangement of core elements on the control unit 200. A light source 300, for example an LED, is mounted on a circuit board.

[0036] A light-emitting diode, for drum illumination 110, a motion sensor 302, which can also be referred to as a distance sensor or proximity sensor, and optionally a color sensor of a color sensor device, here by way of example a color sensor, for example in the form of an RGB color sensor 305, are arranged. In the Figure 2The illustrated optical cover incorporates suitable lenses for beam focusing - so-called converging lenses - for the light source 300 and for the sensors, here for the motion sensor 302 and the color sensor device.

[0037] To switch on the laundry care appliance, a motion signal representing a detected movement is provided by the motion sensor 302, according to one embodiment. The motion signal is read via an interface to the motion sensor 302 and used, for example, to activate the light source 300 and the RGB color sensor 305. In this context, the motion signal indicates, for example, a person approaching the laundry care appliance or the insertion of textiles.

[0038] In other words, movement in the vicinity of the laundry appliance is detected using the motion sensor 302, and a motion signal is generated that can be used to wake up the laundry appliance. According to one embodiment, a wake-up signal is generated in response to the motion signal. This wake-up signal can then be used to wake the laundry appliance 100 from a sleep mode.

[0039] In response to the wake-up signal, a sensor signal is provided, according to one embodiment, which activates the color sensor device, here the RGB color sensor 305, to detect the color of a textile to be inserted or already inserted into the laundry care appliance 100. The color sensor device is designed to provide a color signal indicating the detected color. The color signal is read, for example, via an interface to the RGB color sensor 305 and used to determine a suitable cleaning program for cleaning the textile whose color was detected. After determining the suitable cleaning program, a program signal is provided, for example, which is suitable for directly starting the appropriate cleaning program or displaying it to the user as a preferred selection.

[0040] Figure 4Figure 1 shows another schematic representation of a control unit 200 for a laundry care appliance 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. This can be based on the Figure 2 The aforementioned control unit is for a drum lighting system. Figure 4 Figure 1 shows an embodiment with a color sensor device comprising a color camera, for example an RGB color camera 400. According to this embodiment, the RGB color camera 400 can be used additionally or as an alternative to the sensor shown in Figure 2. Figure 3 The illustrated RGB color sensor is used. The RGB color camera 400 can also capture the color distribution of laundry across an area, thus providing an additional function for simple in Figure 3 offer an illustrated color sensor.

[0041] Figure 5 Figure 1 shows another schematic representation of a control unit 200 for a laundry care appliance 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. This can be based on the following: Figure 2The aforementioned control unit is for a drum lighting system.

[0042] The control unit includes a color sensor device that incorporates a 500 MHz infrared sensor (IR sensor). This can optionally be an extension where the 500 MHz infrared sensor is specifically used as a supplement to the one in Figure 3 illustrated color sensor or as a supplement to the one in Figure 4 The illustrated RGB camera is used.

[0043] According to this embodiment, the infrared sensor 500 is activated and / or evaluated for the purpose of detecting textile materials in the laundry appliance. For example, the infrared sensor 500 is configured to provide an infrared signal via an interface, which can be used, for instance, to detect the textile materials of textiles placed in the laundry appliance. The infrared sensor 500 used can be, for example, a near-infrared (NIR) sensor and / or a short-wave infrared (SWIR) sensor.

[0044] According to one embodiment, the infrared sensor 500 determines a spectral IR intensity distribution in a wavelength range of approximately 900 nanometers to approximately 2000 nanometers in order to deduce the textile material used. Alternatively, instead of a continuous IR spectrum, the infrared sensor 500 can also detect, for example, at least three discrete wavelength ranges.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the following are used: Figure 4 The RGB camera shown and / or the infrared sensor 500 and / or one in Figure 5 The load quantity sensor, not shown, expands upon the sensor data mentioned above. This optionally extended sensor data is used for laundry recognition in the laundry care appliance 100.

[0046] According to one embodiment, an IR-emitting light source 510 is used for illumination, either alternatively or additionally to the one in Figure 1The drum lighting shown (LED) is used. According to this embodiment, this is at least a suitable emitting diode and / or a thermal radiator, in particular an incandescent lamp.

[0047] Figure 6 shows a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a method for operating a laundry care appliance, as is found, for example, in Figure 1 The procedure described below using different exemplary embodiments can be carried out using the setup shown in the figures above.

[0048] The method comprises step 605 of reading a motion signal via an interface to a motion sensor of the laundry care appliance. Using the motion sensor, movement in the vicinity of the laundry care appliance is detected and the motion signal is provided. This motion signal indicates, for example, a person approaching the laundry care appliance or a textile being placed into the laundry care appliance. The method 600 further comprises step 610 of providing a wake-up signal in response to the motion signal. The wake-up signal is designed to wake the laundry care appliance from a sleep mode.

[0049] Optionally, the procedure includes step 615 of providing a lighting signal in response to the wake-up signal. The lighting signal is designed to switch on a drum light of the laundry care appliance.

[0050] According to the invention, the method comprises step 620 of providing a sensor signal responding to the wake-up signal in order to activate at least one color sensor of a color sensor device for detecting the color of a textile inserted or to be inserted into the laundry appliance. A color signal provided by the color sensor is read, for example, via an interface to the color sensor. The color signal indicates at least one color detected by the color sensor and thus, for example, the color of a textile. According to one embodiment, a cleaning program suitable for cleaning the textile is determined using the color signal.

[0051] Artificial intelligence is used. According to one embodiment, the optional steps 625, 630, 635, 640, and 645, described below, are performed to determine the cleaning program.

[0052] According to one embodiment, method 600 comprises a step 650 of providing a program signal. Using the program signal, the appropriate cleaning program can be displayed or started.

[0053] The following are detailed descriptions of exemplary embodiments of the method. According to one embodiment, the motion sensor, for example, a proximity sensor, remains active when the laundry appliance is switched off. As soon as laundry is placed in the drum of the laundry appliance, the motion sensor detects this. Upon detecting movement or loading, the laundry appliance reads the motion signal in step 605 of the reading process. In step 610 of the preparation process, the laundry appliance provides the wake-up signal. This switches the laundry appliance on, i.e., it wakes it up from a so-called low-power mode, i.e., sleep mode. The appliance display is activated, and in step 615 of the preparation process, the drum light is activated. Thus, the laundry appliance can switch on automatically, and the light makes the loading process very convenient for the user.In step 620 of the loading process, a sensor signal is generated in response to the wake-up signal to activate a color sensor for detecting the color of a textile placed in the laundry appliance. During the loading process, the color sensor, for example, the RGB color sensor, detects at least one color at any given time. This color is optionally transformed from an RGB color space to an HSL color space in step 625. This has the advantage that crucial characteristics of the laundry, such as the distribution of colors (H=Hue) and / or brightness (L=Lightning) and / or saturation (S=Saturation), can be further processed. Such characteristics are not discernible in red, green, or blue extracts. The HSL value distribution is recorded until the appliance door is closed.In step 630 of the setting process, cumulative relative distribution curves, also referred to here as frequencies, distributions, or probabilities, are recorded—that is, defined—for each of the following values: H-values ​​(hue values, color values), S-values ​​(saturation values), and L-values ​​(lightning values). A special feature of the H-value (hue value, color value) is that it is only recorded if the L-value (lightning value, brightness value) is simultaneously within a mid-range. For very dark values, such as black, and very bright values, such as white, the hue value is irrelevant. At the same time, the S-value (saturation value) must have a minimum color saturation for the H-value (hue value, color value) to be evaluated, as the hue value is irrelevant at zero color saturation.This determines the distribution of clearly recognizable colors. The other, unsuitable values ​​are discarded.

[0054] In step 635 of the saving process, the distributions of the HSL values—specifically as relative cumulative frequencies—are stored in a table along with the selected programs for the last, for example, fifty program runs. The cumulative frequency of the HSL values ​​for the current laundry load is compared with the cumulative frequencies stored in the table. To do this, in step 640 of the determination process, a coefficient of determination (R²) is calculated between the current data (referred to here as actual values) and the data in the table (referred to here as table values). If the coefficient of determination is too low for all table rows, the laundry being processed is different from that previously.For colored and / or dark laundry, various 30°C and / or 40°C programs in combination with detergent without bleach are suggested. For light and / or white laundry, programs with temperatures between 40°C and 60°C and / or a detergent containing a bleaching component are suggested.

[0055] If, however, the coefficient of determination exceeds a minimum value, this means that a large proportion of the laundry is recognized. In this case, in step 650 of the provisioning process, a program signal is provided—that is, suggested—for at least one, up to and including all, textile treatment programs where this is the case, in descending order of the sum of the three coefficients of determination H, S, and L. In other words, the programs are suggested in descending order of user preference. In other words, the appropriate textile treatment program is displayed or started using the program signal.

[0056] The optimal recognition of the programs selected by the user as their first choice is continuously refined in step 645 (which occurs before step 650) using an artificial intelligence method. This process involves training the system to achieve a consistently higher success rate and thus improve customer satisfaction. For example, the sum of the coefficients of determination is optimized using newly trained weighting factors. In other words, the most suitable cleaning program is determined using artificial intelligence in step 645.

[0057] According to one embodiment and / or depending on the features of the laundry care appliance, additional sensor data is incorporated and weighted appropriately when the laundry is recognized. The procedures are carried out analogously. This could involve, for example, a camera and / or an IR sensor and / or a load size sensor.

[0058] If the laundry appliance has a load sensor, the automatic activation during loading ensures that the laundry load is detected and displayed. As soon as the door is closed, the laundry load is (immediately) factored into the remaining time estimate, making it more accurate.

[0059] In summary, the approach presented here creates suitable sensor technology and / or suitable sensors, the use of which allows a laundry care appliance to be automatically woken up and the operating process to be optimized.

[0060] The washing machine's sensors can be active or activated during loading. This allows for the collection of information about the laundry during the loading process. Such information could be used to optimize subsequent operation, predict remaining time, and / or assess resource consumption for cleaning and / or drying programs.

[0061] In other words, using sensors and a camera, a list of programs suitable for a given load – particularly regarding the type and / or quantity of laundry – can be generated. The user can then select one or more programs from this list.

[0062] Typically, similar laundry loads accumulate during washing. Additional sensors can recognize these loads and automatically suggest a suitable program. Since selecting additional options can be time-consuming – such as reduced spin speed, automatic detergent dosing, with or without bleach, pre-wash, quick wash, or increased rinse water – recognition and a corresponding program suggestion can be very convenient for the user. Operating the laundry appliance can become simpler, safer, and faster. Through AI (Artificial Intelligence) technology, the accuracy of the suggested cleaning program and the remaining time display for each program can be continuously improved.

[0063] The approach presented here enables improved, ideally user-friendly, operation of the laundry care appliance. It can therefore provide the user with a "user-friendly laundry care appliance".

Claims

1. Method (600) for operating a laundry care appliance (100), the method (600) comprising the following steps: inputting (605) a movement signal via an interface to a movement sensor (302) of the laundry care appliance (100), the movement signal indicating a movement in the region of the laundry care appliance (100); and providing (610) a wake-up signal responding to the movement signal (310), the wake-up signal being designed to wake up the laundry care appliance (100) from a sleep mode; providing (620) a sensor signal responding to the wake-up signal (315) in order to activate a colour sensor device, comprising at least one colour sensor (305; 400; 500), for detecting a colour of a textile loaded into the laundry care appliance (100); inputting a colour signal via an interface to the colour sensor device, the colour signal indicating at least one colour detected by the colour sensor device; characterised by using the colour signal to recognise laundry in the laundry care appliance (100); and by determining (645) a cleaning program suitable for cleaning the laundry when a greater part of the laundry was recognised, programs being suggested in descending order of user preference using artificial intelligence.

2. Method (600) for operating a laundry care appliance (100) according to claim 1, comprising a step of detecting the movement using the movement sensor (302) and of providing the movement signal (310).

3. Method (600) for operating a laundry care appliance (100) according to either of the preceding claims, comprising a step (615) of providing an illumination signal responding to the wake-up signal (315), the illumination signal being designed to switch on a drum illumination (110) of the laundry care appliance (100).

4. Method (600) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a step (650) of providing a program signal which is designed to indicate or to start the suitable cleaning program.

5. Control unit which is designed to carry out and / or to control the steps of the method (600) according to any of the preceding claims in corresponding units.

6. Laundry care appliance (100) comprising a movement sensor (302) which is designed to sense a movement in the region of the laundry care appliance (100), and comprising a control unit according to claim 5.

7. Computer program product comprising program code for carrying out the method (600) according to any of claims 1 to 4 when the computer program product is run on a control unit according to claim 5.

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