BE1031621B1 - Method for operating a laundry care appliance and laundry care appliance - Google Patents

Abstract

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

Description

Description

Method for operating a laundry care appliance and laundry care appliance

The present approach relates to a method for operating a laundry care appliance and a laundry care appliance

A conventional laundry appliance, such as a washing machine, dryer or

Washer-dryer, is switched on before loading. However, laundry can already be loaded when the laundry care appliance is switched off. This may be because a

User who comes to the laundry machine with the laundry, through an already open

Loading door, also called door opening, door unit or door for short, allows the laundry care appliance to be loaded with laundry without first switching the laundry care appliance on. A closed door can be opened without switching on the laundry care appliance, so that in this case too the user can load the laundry care appliance before switching it on.

The approach presented here aims to create an improved method for operating a laundry care appliance as well as an improved laundry care appliance.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a method for operating a

Laundry care device and a laundry care device with the features of the main claims. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the approach presented arise from the following subclaims.

The advantages achievable with the invention are based on a simplified operation of a

laundry care appliance.

A method for operating a laundry care appliance comprises the following steps:

Reading a motion signal via an interface to a motion sensor of the

laundry care appliance, whereby the motion signal indicates movement in the area of

laundry care appliance; and

Providing a wake-up signal in response to the motion signal, wherein the

Wake-up signal is designed to wake the laundry care appliance from a sleep mode.

A laundry care appliance can be an electrical household appliance for the care of

laundry items or laundry items, such as a tumble dryer,

Drying device or a washing machine, a washing machine or a fully automatic washing machine with drying function, a so-called washer-dryer. The sleep mode can also be referred to as rest mode or stand-by mode. In the

In sleep mode, the energy consumption of the laundry care appliance can be kept low by deactivating components that are not required. In sleep mode, the

Motion sensor must be active. A detection area of the motion sensor can be a

Front of the laundry care appliance or a door or drum area of the

laundry care device. For example, the motion signal can be sensed as the movement of a person approaching the laundry care device or of a textile being placed in the laundry care device. Suitable 11 measuring principles can be used for the motion sensor, such as those known from motion detectors. Using the motion sensor, an operating process can be simplified. The laundry care device can switch on automatically and

Increase ease of use. Suitable sensors including the motion sensor can automatically wake up the laundry care appliance, which can optimize the operating process.

According to one embodiment, in a step of detecting the movement under

Using the motion sensor, the motion signal is detected and provided. This has the advantage that the laundry care device switches on automatically and thus provides ease of use for the user, for example through an automatic

Switching on the drum lighting and/or a load sensor including

load quantity display can increase.

In a step of providing, an illumination signal may be provided in response to the

Wake-up signal can be provided. The lighting signal can be suitable for switching on a drum light of the laundry care appliance. This is advantageous because it provides a view for the user and for an optional optical sensor when loading the

laundry care appliance can be improved. This can also increase user comfort.

In a step of providing, a sensor signal may be generated in response to the

Wake-up signal can be provided. The sensor signal can be suitable for activating a color sensor device comprising at least one color sensor for detecting a color of a textile placed in the laundry care appliance. In a step of

A colour signal can be read in via an interface to the colour sensor device. The colour signal can have at least one of the

Color sensor device. In a step of determining, a cleaning program suitable for cleaning the textile can be selected using the

The advantage of this is that the cleaning program can be determined safely and reliably by detecting the color of the textile.

Color sensor can be a suitable sensor, for example an RGB color sensor, an RGB color camera or an IR sensor,

According to a further embodiment, in a step of providing a

The program signal can be the appropriate

Display or start the cleaning program. This is advantageous because a

The operating sequence of the cleaning program should be optimized as much as possible and the

operating process can be simplified.

According to one embodiment, the appropriate 190 cleaning program can be determined in the step of determining using artificial intelligence. This has the advantage that artificial intelligence increases the accuracy of the proposed

Cleaning program and the remaining time display can be continuously improved. The efficient and practical recognition of wishes and/or additional requests of the

User guidance by artificial intelligence including the appropriate program suggestion is very convenient and time-saving for the user.

The approach presented here further creates a control unit that is designed to

To carry out, control or implement steps of a variant of a method presented here in corresponding units. This variant of the approach presented in the form of a control unit, which can also be referred to as electronics, can also solve the task underlying the approach presented quickly and efficiently.

The control unit can be designed to read input signals and

Using the input signals to determine and provide output signals. A

An input signal can, for example, be a sensor signal that can be read 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 designed to provide the output signals under

Using a processing instruction implemented in hardware or software. For example, the control unit can comprise a logic circuit, an integrated circuit or a software module and can be implemented as a discrete component or be comprised of a discrete component.

The laundry care appliance mentioned may include the aforementioned control unit or a similar

Control unit and a motion sensor, using which the

Movement can be sensed. This is advantageous because a suitable sensor system - in this embodiment, the motion sensor - can automatically wake up the laundry care device, thus simplifying the operating process and optimizing the operating sequence. Operating the laundry care device can therefore be made easier, safer and faster for the user.

Also of advantage is a computer program product or computer program with program code stored on a machine-readable carrier or storage medium such as a

semiconductor memory, hard disk memory or optical storage. If the Program Product or Program is stored on a computer or

Control unit, the program product or program for carrying out,

Implementation and/or control of the steps of the method according to one of the embodiments described here.

Although the approach described 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-scale disinfector or an ı5 container washing system.

Examples of the approach presented are shown purely schematically in the drawings and are described in more detail below. It shows

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a laundry care appliance according to a

embodiment;

Figure 2 is a schematic representation of a drum lighting for a

Laundry care appliance according to an embodiment;

Figure 3 is a schematic representation of a control unit for a laundry care appliance according to an embodiment;

Figure 4 is a schematic representation of a control unit for a laundry care appliance according to an embodiment;

Figure 5 is a schematic representation of a control unit for a laundry care appliance according to an embodiment; and

Figure 6 is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method for operating a laundry care appliance.

The same or similar reference symbols are used in the following description for the same or similar elements, whereby a repeated explanation of the function of these elements is omitted for reasons of clarity.

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a laundry care appliance 100 according to a

Embodiment. The laundry care appliance 100 comprises a motion sensor and optionally a drum lighting 110 in an area of a drum opening 105. The

Motion sensor is arranged, for example, in an upper area of a door unit 115 of the laundry care appliance 100 near the drum lighting 110. The

Motion sensor, which is described in more detail below with reference to Figure 3, is designed to detect an approach of a person to the laundry care appliance and/or a

To detect movement in the area of the laundry care device. As soon as a corresponding

If approach and/or movement is detected in the area of the door unit 115, the laundry care appliance 100 switches on.

When the laundry care appliance 100 is switched on, for example, a microcontroller is started up from a stand-by mode (stand-by for short) and/or a display is switched on and/or control elements are activated. When the

Laundry care appliance 100, additional functions are optionally carried out — depending

Equipment of the laundry care appliance 100 one or more of them. For example, the drum lighting 110 is switched on to improve visibility when

Loading the laundry care appliance 100 and/or for defined illumination for a

Application of optical sensors in or on the laundry care device 100, if used. Sensors of the laundry care device 100 can be active or activated after the laundry care device 100 wakes up from sleep mode during loading. This allows possible information about the laundry to be recorded during loading. Such information could be used for a further operating sequence and/or a

Remaining time forecast and/or resource consumption of a cleaning program and/or a drying program can be advantageously evaluated. Optionally, a

Activation and/or evaluation of at least one of the following

Color sensor device with which at least one color in a central area of the door unit 115 and thus the color of an inserted textile can be detected. Optionally, a

Switching on and/or evaluating at least one camera pointing towards the door unit 115. Optionally, switching on and/or evaluating at least one

Load quantity sensor — load sensor for short — which detects a reduction in a

Washing unit in at least one spring of the laundry care device 100 when loading the

laundry care device 100 in order to determine a quantity of laundry in the laundry care device 100. A washing unit can be understood here as a unit that has a suds container in which a rotatably mounted drum is arranged.

According to one embodiment, the laundry care appliance 100 has an optional load quantity sensor (not shown in Figure 1), which comprises a magnetic field sensor and a

Magnets. When loading laundry, the washing unit sinks with increasing

Amount of laundry in the at least one spring downwards, whereby a position of the

Magnet moves. The position of the magnet is determined by measuring a magnetic field in three dimensions using the magnetic field sensor. The position is then used to determine the mass of a load of laundry.

Optionally, after the laundry care device 100 has woken up from sleep mode, at least one infrared sensor (IR sensor), preferably an 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 care appliance 100.

After loading the laundry, the door unit 115 is closed according to one embodiment and the laundry care appliance 100 makes program suggestions that are derived from the determined data.

According to one embodiment, the determined data — in particular recognized

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 suitable

Cleaning program using the determined data and using the

Artificial Intelligence.

User behavior is optionally included. The assignment data between

Sensor data and the programs actually selected by the user including

The laundry care device 100 remembers additional options according to an example and carries out a comparison. For example, if the laundry is predominantly black, the "Dark Laundry" program is offered first. If the user now mainly selects the 40 °C colored laundry program with the option of Water Plus and reduced speed, for example 600 rpm, the laundry care device 100 learns this using the Kl method and subsequently offers exactly this program including additional options first. The "Dark Laundry" program is accordingly placed in second place in the

Program proposals postponed.

For each program, a program duration is usually specified. Since the

Since the programme duration also depends on the type and quantity of laundry, the data determined are taken into account for the programme duration. The

Program duration is gradually and automatically improved by the Kl process.

Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of a drum lighting 110 for a

Laundry care appliance according to an embodiment. The drum lighting 110 can be used, for example, in connection with the laundry care appliance shown in Figure 1.

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, in the form of a

Electronics realized.

According to one embodiment, the drum lighting is activated in response to the

Waking up the laundry care appliance, for example by using a

wake-up signal activated.

Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of a control unit 200 for a

Laundry care appliance 100 according to an embodiment. This can be the control unit of a drum lighting mentioned in Figure 2.

Figure 3 shows an arrangement of core elements on the control unit 200. On a circuit board there is a light source 300, for example an LED, i.e. a ı5 light-emitting electrode diode, for the drum lighting 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 an example of a color sensor, for example in

Form of an RGB color sensor 305. In the optical arrangement illustrated in Figure 2

Cover are suitable lenses for beam bundling — so-called converging lenses — for the light source 300 and for the sensors, here for the motion sensor 302 and the

Color sensor device, integrated.

To switch on the laundry care appliance, according to one embodiment, the

Motion sensor 302 provides a motion signal that represents a detected movement. The motion signal is read in via an interface to the motion sensor 302 and used, for example, to activate the light source 300 and the RGB

Color sensor 305 is used. The motion signal shows, for example, the

A person approaches the laundry care appliance or inserts textiles into it.

In other words, the movement in the area of the laundry care device is

Using the motion sensor 302, the motion signal is detected and provided in response to which the laundry care appliance can be woken up.

In response to the motion signal, according to one embodiment, a

Wake-up signal is provided. The wake-up signal can be used to

Waking the laundry care appliance 100 from sleep mode.

In response to the wake-up signal, according to one embodiment, a

Sensor signal is provided with which the color sensor device, here the RGB color sensor 305, is activated in order to detect a color of a textile to be inserted or inserted into the laundry care device 100. The color sensor device is designed to provide a color signal indicating a detected color. The color signal is read in, for example, via an interface to the RGB color sensor 305 and used to

To clean the textile whose color was detected, a suitable cleaning program must be determined. After determining the suitable cleaning program, for example, a

A program signal is provided which is suitable to start the appropriate 11 cleaning program directly or to display it to the user as a preferred selection.

Figure 4 shows a further schematic representation of a control unit 200 for a

Laundry care device 100 according to an embodiment. This can be the control unit of a drum lighting mentioned in Figure 2. Figure 4 shows an embodiment with a color sensor device that includes a color camera, for example an RGB color camera 400. According to this embodiment, the RGB color camera 400 can be used in addition to or as an alternative to the RGB color sensor illustrated in Figure 3. The RGB color camera 400 can be a

The color distribution of the laundry can also be detected over an area, thus providing an additional function to the simple color sensor illustrated in Figure 3.

Figure 5 shows a further schematic representation of a control unit 200 for a

Laundry care appliance 100 according to an embodiment. This can be the control unit of a drum lighting mentioned in Figure 2.

This embodiment comprises a color sensor device which comprises an infrared sensor (IR sensor) 500. This can optionally be an extension in which the infrared sensor 500 is used in particular as a supplement to the color sensor illustrated in Figure 3 or as a supplement to the RGB camera illustrated in Figure 4.

According to this embodiment, the infrared sensor 500 is used to detect

Textile materials in the laundry care appliance are switched on and/or evaluated. For example, the infrared sensor 500 is designed to provide an infrared signal via an interface, which can be used, for example, to switch textile materials from

The infrared sensor 500 can be, for example, a NIR sensor (near infrared) and/or a SWIR sensor.

Sensor (short wave infrared) is used.

According to one embodiment, the infrared sensor 500 determines a spectral IR

Intensity distribution in a wavelength range from about 900 nanometers to about 2000 nanometers in order to draw conclusions about the textile material used. As an alternative to a continuous IR spectrum, or spectrum for short, at least three discrete wavelength ranges can also be detected by the infrared sensor 500.

According to one embodiment, using the method shown in Figure 4

RGB camera and/or the infrared sensor 500 and/or a sensor not shown in Figure 5

The optionally extended sensor data is used, for example, to recognise laundry in the

Laundry care device 100 used.

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

Figure 6 shows a flow chart of an embodiment of a method for

Operating a laundry care appliance, as shown for example in Figure 1. The process sequence described below using different embodiments can be carried out using the method shown in the figures described above.

construction.

The method comprises a step 605 of reading a motion signal via a

Interface to a motion sensor of the laundry care device. Using the

The motion sensor detects movement in the area of the laundry care device and the

Motion signal is provided. The motion signal shows, for example, a

Approaching a person to the laundry care appliance or placing a textile in the

The method 600 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.

Optionally, the method comprises a 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.

Optionally, the method comprises a step 620 of providing a sensor signal in response to the wake-up signal to control at least one color sensor of a

Color sensor device for detecting a color of a textile that is or will be inserted into the laundry care device. A color signal provided by the color sensor is read in, 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 carried out using the

For example, a suitable determination rule, a

Allocation table and/or artificial intelligence is used. According to a

In the exemplary embodiment, the optional steps 625, 630, 635, 640, 645 described below are carried out to determine the cleaning program.

According to one embodiment, the method 600 comprises a step 650 of

Providing a program signal. Using the program signal, the appropriate cleaning program can be displayed or started.

In the following, embodiments of the method are described in detail. According to one embodiment, the ı5 motion sensor, for example in the form of a proximity sensor, remains active when the laundry care device is switched off. As soon as laundry is put into the drum of the laundry care device, the motion sensor detects this.

When movement or loading is detected, the laundry care device reads the movement signal in step 605 of reading. In step 610 of providing, the laundry care device provides the wake-up signal. This switches the

The laundry care appliance is switched on, i.e. it is woken up from a so-called low-power mode, i.e. sleep mode. The appliance display is activated, and in step 615 of the

The drum lighting is activated when the lighting signal is provided. This allows the laundry care appliance to switch on automatically and the lighting makes the loading process very convenient for the user. In step 620 of providing, a sensor signal is provided in response to the wake-up signal in order to

Color sensor for detecting a color of a textile placed in the laundry care device. During the loading process, the color sensor device, for example the RGB color sensor, detects at least one color at any time. This is optionally first transformed in a step 625 of transforming from an RGB color space to an HSL color space. This has the advantage that crucial features of the

Laundry, such as a distribution of colors (H=Hue) and/or brightness (L=Lightning) and/or saturation (S=Saturation), can be further processed. Such features are not recognizable in red extracts, green extracts or blue extracts. A distribution of HSL values is recorded until the appliance door is closed. For each

H-values (hue values), S-values (saturation values) and L-values (hue

Values (lightning values, brightness values) are used in a step 630 of determining cumulative relative distribution curves, which are also referred to here as frequencies, distributions or

Probabilities are recorded during the loading process, i.e. fixed. A special feature of the H value (hue value) is that it is only recorded if the L value (lightning value) is in a medium range. For very dark values such as black and very light values such as white, the color value plays no role and would therefore be irrelevant. At the same time, the S value (saturation value) should have a minimum

Color saturation so that the H-value (hue value) is evaluated, since

Zero color saturation means that the color value plays no role. This way, a distribution of recognizable, distinct colors is determined. The other unsuitable values are discarded.

In a step 635 of the storage, the distributions of the HSL values - specifically as relative cumulative frequencies - are stored in a table together with selected programs for the last, for example, fifty program runs. The cumulative frequency of the HSL values of the current load of laundry is compared with the cumulative frequencies stored in the table. For this purpose, in a step 640 of the

Determination of a measure of determination R? — here also determination coefficient or

The difference between the current curves - also referred to as actual values - and the table curves - also referred to as table values - is determined. If the coefficient of determination for all table rows is too low, then the laundry is different from that previously treated. In the case of colored and/or dark

For example, various 30°C and/or 40°C programmes are used in

Combination with detergent without bleach is recommended. For light and/or white

For example, programs with 40 °C to 60 °C and/or a detergent including a bleaching component are suggested.

However, if the degree of determination exceeds a minimum value, this means that a

Most of the laundry is recognized. In this case, in a step 650 of the

Providing a program signal for at least one to all

Textile treatment programs, in short programs where this is the case, in descending order

The programs are provided, i.e. proposed, in the order of a sum of the three determination measures H, S and L. In other words, the programs are presented in descending order of

User preferences are suggested. In other words, using the

The appropriate textile treatment program is displayed or started upon receipt of the program signal.

The best possible recognition of the programs that the user has selected as their first choice is determined more and more precisely in a step 645 (which takes place before step 650) using an artificial intelligence method, i.e. it is learned. This means that the hit rate and thus customer satisfaction are constantly increased. For example, the

Sum of the determination coefficients is optimized with Kl-learned weighting factors. In other words, in a step 645 of determining the appropriate

Cleaning program determined using artificial intelligence.

According to one embodiment and/or depending on the equipment of the laundry care device, additional sensor data are added, which can be

Weighting can be included in the recognition of the laundry. The processes are carried out analogously. This can be, for example, a camera and/or an IR sensor and/or a load quantity sensor.

If the laundry care appliance contains a load quantity sensor, the automatic switch-on when loading ensures that a laundry load quantity, i.e. a laundry quantity, is recorded and displayed during loading. As soon as the door is closed, the laundry quantity is (immediately) included in a remaining time forecast, which makes it or can make it more accurate.

In summary, the approach presented here is a suitable

Sensor technology and/or suitable sensors, the use of which enables a

The laundry care appliance is automatically woken up and the operating process can thus be optimized.

Sensors of the laundry care appliance can be active or activated during loading.

This allows possible information about the laundry to be recorded during loading.

Such information could be used for further operation and/or

Remaining time forecast and/or resource consumption of a cleaning program and/or a drying program can be advantageously evaluated.

In other words, using a sensor system with a camera, an output of programs that make sense for a load — particularly with regard to a type of laundry and/or a quantity of laundry — can be generated. The user can select one or more programs from these programs.

Usually, similar laundry is produced regularly. Additional

Sensors can recognise this and automatically offer a suitable programme. Since selecting additional options can take time - such as lower speed, automatic detergent dosing, with or without bleaching component,

Prewash, short program, more water in the rinse cycle - recognition including a suitable program suggestion can be very convenient for the user. Operating the laundry care appliance can be easier, safer and faster for the user.

Through AI processes — that is, processes using artificial intelligence (AI) —

can ensure accuracy in the proposed cleaning program and a

Remaining time display for the respective cleaning program can be continuously improved.

The approach presented here enables improved operation, preferably a

Comfort operation for the laundry care appliance. It can therefore be a “comfort operation

laundry care appliance” for the user.

Claims (9)

patent claims 1. Method (600) for operating a laundry care appliance (100), the method (600) comprising the following steps: reading (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 area of the laundry care appliance (100); and providing (610) a wake-up signal in response to the movement signal (310), the wake-up signal being designed to wake the laundry care appliance (100) from a sleep mode. 2. Method (600) for operating a laundry care appliance (100) according to claim 1, comprising a step of detecting the movement using the motion sensor (302) and providing the movement signal (310). 3. Method (600) for operating a laundry care appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a step (615) of providing a lighting signal in response to the wake-up signal (315), wherein the lighting signal is designed to switch on a drum lighting (110) of the laundry care appliance (100). 4. Method (600) for operating a laundry care appliance (100) according to one of the preceding claims, with a step (620) of providing a sensor signal in response to the wake-up signal (315) in order to activate a color sensor device comprising at least one color sensor (305; 400; 500) for detecting a color of a textile placed in the laundry care appliance (100), with a step of reading in a color signal via an interface to the color sensor device, wherein the color signal indicates at least one color detected by the color sensor device, and with a step of determining a cleaning program suitable for cleaning the textile using the color signal. 5. The method (600) of claim 4, comprising a step (650) of providing a program signal configured to indicate or start the appropriate cleaning program. 6. The method (600) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein in the step of determining the appropriate cleaning program is determined using artificial intelligence. 7. Control unit which is designed to carry out and/or control the steps of the method (600) according to one of the preceding claims in corresponding units. 8. Laundry care appliance (100) with a motion sensor (302) which is designed to sense a movement in the area of the laundry care appliance (100) and with a control unit according to claim 7. 0 9. Computer program product with program code for carrying out the method (600) according to one of claims 1 to 6, when the computer program product is executed on a control unit according to claim 7.