Control assembly for at least one textile processing device and control unit for such an assembly

Abstract

The invention relates to a control assembly (1) for a textile processing device (11, 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, 11E). The control assembly (1) comprises: at least one control unit (13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E) for equipping said processing device and capable of being connected to a control circuit of said processing device (11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, 11E); a computer device (20) capable of communicating with the control unit, the computer device (20) being configured to communicate with a user terminal (31, 32). The computer device (20) is configured so that, when the terminal (31, 32) is authorized by the control unit (13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E) and a textile processing request is transmitted, it instructs the control unit (13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E) to initiate a processing cycle. (See Figure 1 for abbreviations.)

Description

Title of the invention: Control assembly for at least one textile processing device and control unit for such an assembly technical field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of textile processing equipment, such as washing machines and dryers, and more specifically to their control electronics.

[0002] The invention thus relates more specifically to a control assembly for at least one textile element processing device, a control unit for at least one textile element processing device, and a method for controlling at least one textile element processing device. Prior state of the art

[0003] Currently, when making available textile processing equipment for collective use, such as in a public laundry or a communal laundry, it is customary to provide a payment and / or usage authorization box, for example by badge or token, to allow the management of these processing devices.

[0004] If such payment and / or authorization boxes allow the use of a treatment device to be released in the event that a condition of use is met, such as for example payment for a treatment device cycle or prior verification of user authorization, such management from such a box is not entirely suitable.

[0005] Indeed, if the device is a payment terminal, it must be equipped with a coin mechanism and possibly a payment terminal, thus requiring regular intervention by an agent to collect the funds received. Furthermore, there is a risk that the coin mechanism could be vandalized to steal its contents. Even if the device is simply an authorization terminal, the user must have a system to validate this authorization, such as a token to initiate a processing cycle or a badge to confirm it.

[0006] Thus, currently, in addition to the problems related to the use of a coin mechanism, the current solutions are not totally suitable since they require the user to be particularly careful and to be equipped with a means of payment and / or an authorization validation system. Description of the invention

[0007] The invention aims to solve the problem mentioned below and thus has the purpose of enabling the management of textile element processing devices which facilitates access to the textile element processing device.

[0008] The invention relates to this purpose to a control assembly for at least one textile processing device, such as a washing machine or a tumble dryer, the control assembly comprising: - at least one control unit to equip said textile element processing device, said control unit being capable of connecting to a control circuit of said textile element processing device and of controlling said control circuit, from said connection, in order to start a processing cycle of said textile element processing device, said control unit being further configured to communicate with a computer device and receive instructions from said device; - the computing device, such as a computer, a server or a set of servers, capable of communicating with and controlling the control unit, said computing device being further configured to communicate with at least one user terminal and, when the terminal is authorized with the control unit and after said terminal has transmitted a textile processing request to said computing device by its user, to provide the instruction to the control unit to trigger the launch of a processing cycle of the textile element processing device in such a way that the control unit commands the control circuit in order to launch a processing cycle of said processing device.

[0009] With such a system, the user only needs to use their terminal and obtain authorization to operate the machine. Thus, in addition to their terminal, such as a multifunction mobile phone, the user does not need any other specific items, such as tokens, a badge, or coins, to access the machine. Furthermore, when payment is required, it can be made via the terminal. This eliminates the need for a coin mechanism and avoids the drawbacks associated with such a mechanism, such as the need for regular staff intervention and the risk of vandalism related to coin storage.

[0010] It should also be noted that such centralization on at least one computer device can potentially allow the user to know, via their terminal, whether a processing cycle has been initiated on the processing device they wish to use, and thus whether the processing device is available or not. When this feature is implemented, the user is therefore able to check the availability of the processing device before traveling with their textiles to initiate a processing cycle.

[0011] In the above and throughout the rest of this document, the term "textile element" means any type of textile element, whether it be clothing or household linen.

[0012] Similarly, the term "textile processing equipment" refers above to all types of equipment that can be used for the maintenance and cleaning of textiles. Thus, textile processing equipment includes, in particular, washing machines and dryers.

[0013] By treatment cycle, it is understood above and in the rest of this document, the set of steps carried out by a textile processing apparatus to carry out a treatment of these textile elements, this cycle being able to be complete, such as a washing cycle carried out by a washing machine or a drying cycle of a tumble dryer, or to be partial, such as a spin-drying of wet textile elements.

[0014] The control assembly may comprise a plurality of control units, each dedicated to a respective textile element processing device,

[0015] the computer device being further configured to allow a selection of a control unit, and therefore of the textile element device, from among the plurality of control units by means of the terminal and, when said control unit is selected by means of said terminal and, optionally, when one or more authorization conditions are met, authorize the terminal with the control unit.

[0016] In this way, the control unit allows the control of a plurality of textile processing devices, the user having the possibility of selecting the textile device he wishes to use by means of his terminal.

[0017] The computer device can further be configured to, when a control unit is selected by means of the terminal, prohibit the selection of said control unit by another terminal for a given period of time, this period of time being advantageously extended until the end of the processing cycle of the textile element processing device, when said terminal transmits to said computer device a request for textile processing by its user during said period of time and the computer device instructs said control unit to trigger the launch of said processing cycle.

[0018] In this way, the user, when authorized at a control unit, is able to know that the textile processing device is available. This is particularly useful when the user is not in the room where the textile processing device is located and therefore cannot know whether the processing device is already selected by another user.

[0019] The authorization condition(s) may not be optional, the said authorization condition(s) being selected from: - a registration of the terminal user as an authorized user to order a textile processing device from the computer device, - a registration of the terminal user as an authorized user to control said textile element processing device, - geolocation of the terminal within a given geographical area, including the control unit, - the presence of a number of tokens greater than or equal to the number of tokens to be spent to trigger the processing cycle in a terminal user's account, said number of tokens to be spent being removed from the terminal user's account after triggering said cycle, - a prior payment by the user of a given sum associated with the processing cycle.

[0020] Such authorization conditions allow secure, and possibly monetized, use in a way that is easy for the user and the management body, since it is done solely through the users' terminals.

[0021] The invention further relates to a control unit for a textile element processing device, said control unit may be able to be connected to a control circuit of said textile element processing device and to control said control circuit, from said connection, in order to start a processing cycle of said textile element processing device, said control unit being further configured to communicate with a computer device.

[0022] Such a unit, by forming a control set for a textile element processing device that it enables, allows obtaining the advantages linked to said control set according to the invention.

[0023] The control unit can be configured to connect to a primary connection area of ​​the control circuit dedicated to a human-machine interface of the textile element processing device, the control unit being configured to transmit commands to the control circuit according to a communication protocol of the human-machine interface of the textile element processing device through its connection to the primary connection area of ​​the control circuit.

[0024] In this way the control unit can easily equip the control device without the latter having to be modified, since only the disconnection of the human-machine interface from the primary connection area and the connection of the control unit to said primary connection area are necessary.

[0025] The human-machine interface may include display elements relating to the status of the textile processing device, said display elements being capable of receiving display commands for this state of the textile element processing device transmitted by the control circuit through the primary connection area, and the processing unit being further configured to determine the state of the textile element processing device from the primary connection area and said display commands and to transmit information relating to said determined state to the computer device.

[0026] In this way, the computer device is able to know the state of the textile element processing device equipped by said control unit and use this information to manage said processing device and possibly inform the user.

[0027] The control unit can also be configured to, prior to the start of the processing cycle, control said control circuit to define its conditions for carrying out the processing cycle.

[0028] In this way, the user is able to configure the processing device prior to starting the cycle using his terminal.

[0029] The invention further relates to a method for controlling at least one textile processing device, said control method comprising the following steps: - equipping the textile element processing apparatus with a control unit, said control unit being connected to a control circuit of said textile element processing apparatus and being capable of controlling said control circuit, from said connection, in order to initiate a processing cycle of said textile element processing apparatus, said control unit being further configured to communicate with a computer device and receive instructions from said computer device, - provision of the computing device, such as a computer, a server or a set of servers, capable of communicating with and controlling the control unit, said computing device being further configured to communicate with at least one user terminal and, when the terminal is authorized with the control unit and after said terminal has transmitted a textile processing request from its user to said computing device, to instruct the control unit to initiate the launch of a processing cycle of the textile element processing device, - connecting the control unit to the computer device to allow communication between them, - connection of the terminal with the computer device) to allow communication between them, - transmission from the terminal to the computer system of a request for textile processing by the terminal user, - if the terminal is authorized by the control unit, the computer device provides the control unit with the instruction to trigger the start of a processing cycle for the textile element processing device, - control by the control unit of the control circuit in order to start a processing cycle of the processing device.

[0030] Such a method makes it possible to implement a control system according to the invention and to benefit from the advantages associated therewith. Brief description of the drawings

[0031] The present invention will be better understood upon reading the description of exemplary embodiments, given purely by way of illustration and in no way limiting, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0032] [Fig. 1] illustrates a control assembly for textile processing devices according to the invention,

[0033] [Fig.2] schematically illustrates a textile element processing apparatus equipped with a control unit according to the invention

[0034] Identical, similar or equivalent parts of the different figures bear the same numerical references so as to facilitate the transition from one figure to another.

[0035] The different parts represented in the figures are not necessarily shown on a uniform scale, in order to make the figures more legible.

[0036] The different possibilities (variants and embodiments) should be understood as not being mutually exclusive and can be combined with each other.

[0037] Detailed description of particular embodiments

[0038] Fig. 1 illustrates a control set 1 of textile element processing devices offering the possibility for a user to launch a processing cycle 11 A, 1 IB, 1 IC, 11D, 11E of textile elements from a simple terminal 31, 32 associated with it.

[0039] Such a control set 11 A, 1 IB, 1 IC, 11D, 11E is notably used for the management of textile processing equipment 11B, 11C, 11D, 11E, such as washing machines and dryers, present in collective premises 10A, 10B dedicated to the processing of textiles, such as public laundries or collective laundry facilities installed in certain buildings or residences.

[0040] Such a control assembly 1 of textile element processing devices 11,1 IA, 1 IB, 1 IC, 11D, 11E comprises: - a plurality of control units 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E, each to equip a textile processing device to which it is dedicated, each of the said control units 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E being able to be connected to a control circuit 12, shown in [Fig.2], of the corresponding textile element processing unit 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, 11E and to control said control circuit 12, from said connection, in order to start a processing cycle of the corresponding textile element processing unit 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, 11E, each of said control units 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E being further configured to communicate with a computer device 20 and to receive instructions from said computer device 20; - the computing device 20, such as a computer, a server or a set of servers, capable of communicating with and controlling each of the control units 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E, said computing device 20 being further configured to communicate with at least one user terminal 31, 32 and, when terminal 31, 32 is authorized with a control unit 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E and after said terminal 31, 32 has transmitted a textile processing request from its user to said control unit 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E, to instruct said control unit 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E to initiate a processing cycle of the processing device 11 A, 11B, 11C, 11D, 11E of corresponding textile elements such that said control unit 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E controls the control circuit 12 in order to start a processing cycle of the processing device 1 IA, 11B,11C, 11D, 11E correspond.

[0041] In the example illustrated in [Fig. 1], the control assembly 1 according to the invention is installed to equip two different rooms 10A, 10B: - a first room 10A comprising two processing devices 11 A, 1 IB, for example a washing machine and a tumble dryer and - a second room 10B comprising three processing units 11C, 11D, 11E, for example two washing machines and a tumble dryer and a detergent dispenser 17.

[0042] According to the invention, each of these processing units 1 IA, 1 IB, 1 IC, 11D, 11E is equipped with a respective control unit 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E.

[0043] As shown in the same figure, the control units 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E are connected to the computer device 20 in such a way as to allow communication between them. According to a typical application of the invention, this communication can be remote via a public network, such as the internet or a telephone network (GSM, 3G, 4G and equivalent), or a private network.Alternatively, the computer device 20 can be installed in the same room as the processing devices 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, 11E, with communication between the computer device and the control units 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E then taking place via a private local network.

[0044] Fig. 2 illustrates schematically the equipment of a processing device 11 with a control unit 13 according to the invention.According to a typical configuration of such a processing device 11, it may include: - a functional part 14 dedicated to the processing of textile elements, including, for example, in the case of a washing machine, a drum associated with an electric motor and a water and detergent circulation system to bring the water and detergent to the drum, - a control circuit 20 configured to control the functional part and in particular the start of a processing cycle; the control circuit may include a primary connection zone 121 for a human-machine interface 141, - the human-machine interface 14 configured to allow interaction between a user and the control circuit so that the user is able to control the control circuit 20 and in particular to request, from said human-machine interface 14 and the control circuit 20, the start of a processing cycle and its possible configuration.

[0045] In a typical configuration of such a processing unit 11, the human-machine interface, in addition to a control section, such as a keyboard or selector switch, for initiating the processing cycle, may include one or more display elements 141 relating to the status of the textile processing unit 11 and one or more control elements 142, such as pushbuttons or a selection dial. Such display elements, such as a screen or LEDs, allow the user, possibly in conjunction with appropriate markings, to verify the configuration of the processing unit 11 before initiating a processing cycle and during the execution of a processing cycle.

[0046] As shown in this figure, the control unit 13 can be connected to a control circuit 12 of said textile processing device 11 and control said control circuit 12, from said connection, in order to initiate a processing cycle of said textile processing device 11. Such a connection of the control unit 13 to the control circuit 12 of the device can advantageously, as shown in [Fig. 2], be made to the primary connection area 121 of the control circuit 12 dedicated to the human-machine interface 14. According to this possibility, the processing unit 13 can be configured to transmit commands to the control circuit 12 according to a communication protocol of the human-machine interface 14 through its connection to the primary connection area 121 of the control circuit.

[0047] Advantageously, to allow such a connection while permitting the use of the human-machine interface 14, the control unit 13 can include a secondary connection zone 131, of a similar type to the primary connection zone 121, for connecting the human-machine interface 14 of the textile element processing device 11 in such a way that, when the control unit 13 equips the textile element processing machine 11, the link between the control circuit 12 and said human-machine interface 14 is made via said control unit 13.

[0048] According to this possibility, the control unit 13 can have at least a first configuration in which the commands from the human-machine interface 14 are not transmitted to the control circuit 12 and a second configuration in which the commands from the human-machine interface 14 are transmitted to the control circuit 12. In this way, the control unit 13 can:

[0049] - in the first configuration, intercepted these commands from the human-interface machine 14 in order to allow interaction with the control circuit only through the control unit and therefore, for the user, only through his terminal 31,32; - in the second configuration, allow classic access to the processing device 11 for, for example, checking the proper functioning of the processing device 11 as part of a maintenance operation, or to free up its use in case of inaccessibility to the computer device and therefore to a control by a terminal 31, 32 of a user.

[0050] It should be noted that according to this possibility, the control unit 13 can in these first and second configurations and in the case where the human-machine interface includes one or more display elements 141, can be configured to allow the transmission of display signals from the control circuit to the said display element(s) 141.

[0051] Through its connection to the primary interface area 121 and in the case where the human-machine interface includes one or more display elements 141, the control unit 13 can be configured to determine the state of the textile element processing device 13 from the primary connection area 121, and to transmit information relating to said determined state to the computer device 20. Such a possibility can be achieved by an interception by the control unit 13 of the display signals from the control circuit 12 to the said display element(s) 141.

[0052] If, in the present embodiment, as illustrated in [Fig. 2], the control unit 13 interfaces between the control circuit 12 and the human-machine interface 14, it is conceivable, without departing from the scope of the invention, that the processing unit be connected at least partially in parallel with the human-machine interface 14. Thus, for example, according to a variant not illustrated, the processing unit 13 can interface between the control circuit 12 and the control elements 142 of the human-machine interface 14 and be connected in parallel with the display elements 141 of the human-machine interface 14. Depending on this configuration, the control unit 13 is able to: - to access the display signals of the control circuit 12 without disrupting the display of the display elements 141 of the human-machine interface 14, and - to intercept the commands from the human-machine interface 14 provided through the control elements 142 and to control the control circuit 12.

[0053] According to another non-preferred embodiment of the invention, the control unit 13 can be connected in parallel with the human-machine interface 14, in such a way that the human-machine interface 14 remains fully functional and that the control unit is able to control the control circuit 12 of the processing device 11 in parallel with the instructions given through the human-machine interface 14.

[0054] Of course, the connection configurations of the control unit 12 mentioned above are suitable in the case where the control unit 13 is fitted to a processing device 11 that is not suitable. According to a possibility of the invention not illustrated, the control unit 13 can be at least partially integrated into the device and its control circuit 12 and therefore be connected to a zone other than a primary connection zone 121 dedicated to the human-machine interface, the control unit 13 and the control circuit 12 then being configured to allow at least partial inhibition of the human-machine interface 14 by the control unit 13.

[0055] As shown in [Fig. 2], the control unit 13 also includes a communication module 132 capable of enabling communication with the computer device. The communication module 132 can be adapted according to the configuration of the control assembly. Thus, in the case of a computer device located remotely from the processing unit 11 equipped by the processing unit 13 (case illustrated in [Fig. 1]), the communication module 132 can be capable of connecting remotely with the computer device 20 either directly or through a gateway 18. To do this, the communication module 132 can be configured, as is the case for the control units 13A and 13B located in the first room 10A, to connect directly to the computer device 20 via a public network, such as the internet or a telephone network (GSM, 3G, 4G and equivalent), or a private network.In the case where room 10B is equipped with a gateway 18, the communication module 132 of each of the control units 13C, 13D, 13E may be able to communicate locally, for example by a wireless communication protocol such as wifi™ or Bluetooth™ or wired such as. Ethernet, with gateway 18, said gateway allowing connection, via a public network, such as the internet or a telephone network (GSM, 3G, 4G and equivalent), or private network, with the computer device 20. In the case of a computer device arranged in the same room as that of the processing device 11 equipped by the processing unit 13 (case not illustrated), the communication module 132 of each of the control units 13 may be able to communicate locally, for example by a wireless communication protocol such as wifi™ or Bluetooth™ or wired such as Ethernet™, with the computer device 20.

[0056] As shown in [Fig. 1], the computer device 20 is configured to communicate with and control each of the control units 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E. While in a typical configuration of the invention, as shown in [Fig. 1], the computer device may comprise several computer units, such as servers, it is also conceivable, without departing from the scope of the invention, that the computer device comprises a single computer unit, such as a single server, a dedicated computer (for example, installed in the same location as the control units 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E), or a dedicated device comprising a processor specific to the invention.

[0057] The computer device is also, according to the invention, configured to communicate with at least one terminal 31, 32 of a user, such as a multifunction mobile phone or a user's personal computer. In this way, the computer device allows, when terminal 31, 32 is authorized by the control unit 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E and after said terminal 31, 32 has transmitted to said computer device 20 a request for textile processing by its user, to provide the instruction to the control unit 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E to trigger the launch of a processing cycle of the processing device 1 IA, 1 IB, 1 IC, 11D, 11E of textile elements in such a way that the control unit 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E commands the control circuit 12 in order to launch a processing cycle of said processing device 11 A, 1 IB, 1 IC, 11D, 11E.

[0058] More specifically, the computer device 20 can further be configured to authorize, via said terminal 31, 32, the selection of a control unit 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E, and therefore of the textile element processing device 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, 11E, from among the plurality of control units 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E and, when said control unit 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E is selected by means of said terminal 31, 32 and, optionally, when one or more authorization conditions are met, authorize the terminal 31, 32 with the control unit 13, 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E.

[0059] In addition to this configuration, in order to prevent a control unit 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E from being selected by two users, the computer device 20 It can also be configured so that, when a control unit 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E is selected by means of terminal 31, 32, it prevents the selection of said control unit 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E by another terminal 31, 32 for a specified period of time. In this way, the user can remotely pre-select a free control unit 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E, go to room 10A, 10B to place their textiles in the corresponding processing unit 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, 11E, and start the processing cycle within this specified time period.

[0060] It will be noted that advantageously, in order to prevent a processing device from being likely to be reserved while it is carrying out a processing cycle, this period of time may be extended until the end of the processing cycle of the textile element processing device 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, 11E, when the terminal 31, 32 transmits to said computer device 20 a request for textile processing by its user during said period of time and the computer device 20 instructs said control unit 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E to trigger the launch of said processing cycle.

[0061] Generally, when the control unit 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E is able to transmit to the computer device 20 information relating to the determined state of the processing device it equips, the computer device 20 can advantageously prohibit any selection of a control unit 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E, and therefore the processing device it equips, when it is transmitted that said processing device 1 IA, 1 IB, 1 IC, 11D, 11E is carrying out a processing cycle or, generally, that the processing device 11 A, 11B, 11C, 11D, 11E is not available (for example in case of failure or intervention on the latter).

[0062] In order to verify that the user is authorized with the control unit 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E, one or more authorization conditions may be provided, in particular selected from: - a registration of the terminal user 31, 32 as a user authorized to order a textile element processing device 1 IA, 1 IB, 1 IC, 11D, 11E from the computer device 20, - a registration of the user of terminal 31, 32 as a user authorized to control said textile element processing device 1 IA, 1 IB, 1 IC, 11D, 11E, - a geolocation of terminal 31, 32 in a given geographical area including the control unit 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E, - the presence of a number of tokens greater than or equal to the number of tokens required to trigger the processing cycle in a user's account from terminal 31, 32, the said number of tokens to be spent being deducted from the terminal user's account after the said cycle has been triggered, - a prior payment by the user of a given sum associated with the processing cycle.

[0063] In this way, a treatment device manager is able to precisely manage the conditions of use of the treatment devices. It should be noted that, of course, it is possible that, depending on its needs, such a manager may apply different conditions to different users. Thus, it may be stipulated that some users must be registered with the platform and pay a subscription granting them access to a given number of tokens corresponding to a number of treatment cycles per month or per week, while other users, not paying a subscription, may prepay for a treatment cycle.

[0064] It will also be noted, as shown in [Fig.1], that advantageously, the computer device 20 can be configured to communicate with other equipment 17 in the room 10, such as a laundry detergent dispenser, and to control this other equipment 17. In this way, the user can, via his terminal 31, 32, also have access to this other equipment.

[0065] Advantageously, communication between the terminal 31, 32 and the computer device 20 can be done via an internet page hosted by the computer device or via an application configured to communicate with the computer device 20, or both.

[0066] Such a control assembly 1 allows the implementation of a method for controlling a textile element processing device 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, 11E comprising the following steps: - Each textile processing unit 1 IA, 1 IB, 1 IC, 11D, 11E is equipped with a respective control unit 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E, each control unit 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E being connected to a control circuit 12 of the corresponding textile processing unit 1 IA, 1 IB, 1 IC, 11D, 11E and being capable of controlling said control circuit 12, from said connection, in order to initiate a processing cycle of said textile processing unit 1 IA, 1 IB, 1 IC, 11D, 11E, each control unit 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E being further configured to communicate with a computer device 20 and receive instructions from said computer device 20, - supply of the computing device 20, such as a computer, a server or a set of servers, capable of communicating with and controlling each control unit 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E, said computing device 20 being further configured to communicate with at least one user terminal 31, 32 and, when terminal 31, 32 is authorized with control unit 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E and after said terminal 31, 32 transmits a textile processing request from its user to said computer device 20, instruct the corresponding control unit 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E to initiate a processing cycle for said textile processing device 1 IA, 11B, 11C, 11D, 11E, - connection of the control unit 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E with the computer device 20 to allow communication between them, - connection of terminal 31, 32 with the computer device 20 to allow communication between them, - transmission by said terminal 31, 32 to the computer device 20 of a request for textile processing by the user of terminal 31, 32 for at least one of the processing devices 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, 11E, - If terminal 31, 32 is authorized by the control unit 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E corresponding to said processing unit 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, 11E, the computer device 20 provides said control unit 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E with the instruction to initiate a processing cycle of the textile processing unit 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, 11E, - control by the control unit 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E of the control circuit 12 of the corresponding processing unit 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, 11E in order to initiate a processing cycle of said processing unit 1 IA, 1 IB, 1 IC, 11D, 11E.

[0067] It will be noted that during the step of supplying by the computer device 20 to said control unit 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E the instruction to trigger the launch of a processing cycle, the verification whether the terminal 31, 32 is authorized by the control unit 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E can be done by verifying that an authorization condition such as mentioned above is met and that said control unit 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E, and the corresponding processing device 11A, 11B, 1 IC, 11D, 11E is indeed available.Thus, as explained above, in order to ensure that the control unit 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E, and the corresponding processing device 1 IA, 1 IB, 1 IC, 11D, 11E, are indeed available, an additional selection step by the user, via their terminal 31, 32, may be provided for, of a control unit 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E, and therefore of the corresponding textile element processing device 11 A, 11B, 11C, 11D, 11E, from among the plurality of control units 13, 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E, the selection of said control unit 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E, and Therefore, the textile processing apparatus 11, 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, 11E is preferentially prohibited for a given period of time. As specified, according to such a selection step, the period of time can advantageously be extended until the end of the process. processing cycle of the processing device 1 IA, 1 IB, 1 IC, 11D, 11E of textile element, when the transmission step by said terminal 31, 32 is implemented during the given time period and the computer device implements the step of supplying said control unit 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E with the instruction to trigger the launch of a processing cycle of the processing device 1 IA, 1 IB, 11C, 11D, 11E.

[0068] Of course, if in the present embodiment each control unit 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E is provided as a separate control unit from the processing device it equips, this configuration corresponding to an installation of the unit on a conventional processing device 1 IA, 1 IB, 1 IC, 11D, 11E, it is also conceivable, without departing from the scope of the invention, that the processing device be designed by directly integrating the control unit 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E. According to this possibility, the processing unit can be formed by a module integrated into the same integrated circuit as the control circuit 12, the connection between the control circuit then being provided by traces of said integrated circuit.

Claims

Demands

1. Control assembly (1) for at least one textile processing device (11, 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, 11E), such as a washing machine or a tumble dryer, the control assembly (1) comprising: - at least one control unit (13, 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E) for equipping said textile processing device, said control unit (13, 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E) being capable of being connected to a control circuit (12) of said textile processing device (11, 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, 11E) and of controlling said control circuit (12), from said connection, in order to initiate a processing cycle of said processing device (11,1 IA, 1 IB, 1 IC, 11D, 11E) of textile elements, said control unit (13, 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E) being further configured to communicate with a computer device (20) and to receive instructions from said computer device (20);- the computing device (20), such as a computer, a server or a set of servers, capable of communicating with and controlling the control unit (13, 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E), said computing device (20) being further configured to communicate with at least one user terminal (31, 32) and, when the terminal (31, 32) is authorized by the control unit (13, 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E) and after said terminal (31, 32) has transmitted a textile processing request from its user to said computing device (20), to instruct the control unit (13, 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E) to initiate a processing cycle of the processing device (11, 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, 11E) of textile elements in such a way that the control unit (13, 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E) controls the control circuit (12) in order to start a processing cycle of said processing device (11, 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, 11E).;

2. Control assembly (1) of at least one textile processing device (11, 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, 11E) according to the

3.

4. claim 1, wherein the control assembly (1) comprises a plurality of control units (13, 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E), each dedicated to a respective textile element processing device (11, 1IA, 1IB, 1IC, 11D, 11E), wherein the computer device (20) is further configured to allow selection of a control unit (13, 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E), and thus of the textile element processing device (11, 11A, 11B, 1IC, 11D, 11E), from among the plurality of control units (13, 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E) by means of the terminal (31, 32), and, when said control unit (13, 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E) is selected by means of said terminal (31, 32) and, optionally, that one or more authorization conditions are met, authorize the terminal (31, 32) with the control unit (13, 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E). Control assembly (1) of at least one textile element processing device (11, 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, 11E) according to claim 2, wherein the computer device (20) is further configured to, when a control unit (13, 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E) is selected by means of the terminal (31, 32), prevent the selection of said control unit (13, 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E) by another terminal (31, 32) for a given period of time, this period of time being advantageously extended until the end of the processing cycle of the textile element processing device (11, 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, 11E) when said terminal (31, 32) transmits said computer device (20) a request for textile processing by its user during said period of time and that the computer device (20) instructs said control unit (13, 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E) to trigger the launch of said processing cycle. Control assembly (1) of at least one textile element processing device (11, 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, 11E) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the authorization condition(s) are not optional, said authorization condition(s) being selected from: - a registration of the terminal user (31, 32) as a user authorized to order a device processing (11, 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, 11E) of textile items with the computer device (20), - registration of the terminal user (31, 32) as a user authorized to order said processing device (11, 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, 11E) of textile items, - geolocation of the terminal (31, 32) in a given geographical area including the control unit (13, 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E), - the presence of a number of tokens greater than or equal to the number of tokens to be spent to trigger the processing cycle in the terminal user's account (31, 32), said number of tokens to be spent being deducted from the terminal user's account after triggering said cycle - prior payment by the user of a given sum associated with the cycle treatment.

5. Control unit (13, 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E) for a textile processing apparatus (11, 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, 11E) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said control unit (13, 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E) is capable of being connected to a control circuit (12) of said textile processing apparatus (11, 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, 11E) and of controlling said control circuit (12), from said connection, in order to initiate a processing cycle of said textile processing apparatus (11, 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, 11E), said control unit (13, 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E) being further configured to communicate with a computer device (20).

6. Control unit (13, 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E) according to claim 5, wherein the control unit (13, 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E) is configured to connect to a primary connection area (121) of the control circuit (12) dedicated to a human-machine interface (14) of the textile processing apparatus (11, 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, 11E), the control unit (13, 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E) being configured to transmit commands to the control circuit (12) according to a communication protocol of the human-machine interface (14) of the apparatus of processing textile elements through its connection to the primary connection zone (121) of the control circuit.

7. Control unit (13, 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E) according to claim 6, wherein the control unit (13, 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E) comprises a secondary connection area (131), of a type similar to the primary connection area (121), for connecting the human-machine interface (14) of the textile processing device (11, 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, 11E) such that, when the control unit (13, 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E) is fitted to the textile processing machine (11, 1IA, 1IB, 1IC, 11D, 11E), the connection between the circuit of command (12) and said human-machine interface (14) is carried out via said control unit (13, 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E), said control unit (13, 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D,13E) having at least a first configuration in which the commands from the human-machine interface (14) are not transmitted to the control circuit (12) and a second configuration in which the commands from the human-machine interface (14) are transmitted to the control circuit (12).

8. Control unit (13, 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the human-machine interface (14) comprises display elements (141) relating to the status of the textile processing unit (11, 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, 11E), said display elements being capable of receiving display commands for this status of the textile processing unit (11, 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, 11E) transmitted by the control circuit (12) through the primary connection area (121), and wherein the processing unit (13, 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E) is further configured to determine the state of the processing device (13, 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E) of textile elements from the primary connection area (121) and said display commands and to transmit information relating to said determined state to the computer device (20).

9. Control unit (13, 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E) according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the control unit (13, 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E) is further configured to, prior to the start of the processing cycle, at

10. order said control circuit (12) to define its conditions for carrying out the processing cycle. Method for controlling at least one textile processing device (13, 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E), said control method comprising the following steps: - equipment of the textile processing apparatus (11,1 IA, 1 IB, 1 IC, 11D, 11E) by a control unit (13, 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E), said control unit (13, 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E) being connected to a control circuit (12) of said textile processing apparatus (11, 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, 11E) and being capable of controlling said control circuit (12), from said connection, in order to start a processing cycle of said textile processing apparatus (11, 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, 11E), said control unit (13, 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E) being further configured to communicate with a computer device (20) and to receive instructions from said computer device (20), - provision of the computing device (20), such as a computer, a server or a set of servers, capable of communicating with and controlling the control unit (13, 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E), said computing device being further configured to communicate with at least one user terminal (31, 32) and, when the terminal (31, 32) is authorized by the control unit (13, 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E) and after said terminal (31, 32) has transmitted a textile processing request from its user to said computing device (20), instruct the control unit (13, 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E) to initiate a processing cycle of the processing device (11, 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, 11E) of textile elements, - connection of the control unit (13, 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E) with the computer device (20) to allow communication between them, connection of the terminal (31, 32) with the computer device (20) to allow communication between them, transmission by the terminal (31, 32) to the computer device (20) of a textile processing request by the user of the terminal (31, 32), if the terminal (31, 32) is authorized by the control unit (13, 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E), provision by the computer device (20) to the control unit (13, 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E) of the instruction to trigger the start of a processing cycle of the textile processing device (11, 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, 11E), control by the control unit (13, 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E) control of the control circuit (12) in order to start a processing cycle of the processing device (11, 11A, 11B, 11C, 11D, 11E).

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