ES2805458T3 - Method for automatically evaluating the movement of an object in a washing area of a dishwasher - Google Patents

Abstract

Method for automatically evaluating the movement of an object (S, 5, 7) in a washing area (2) of a dishwasher (1), said dishwasher comprising a door (3), designed to be associated with said area of washing (2) to close it, and being configured to implement a cleaning program and to be in signal communication with a user interface (9), the method comprising the steps of: - providing (10) a plurality of objects (S , 5, 7) in said washing area (2); - acquiring a first digital image (11) representative of said plurality of objects (S, 5, 7); - digitally processing (12) said first acquired image (11) to obtain a first processed image (12A); wherein said first processed image (12A) defines a first contour for each object of said plurality of objects (S, 5, 7); - according to said first outline of each object, filtering (13) said first processed image (12A) to obtain a first filtered image (13A), wherein said first filtered image (13A) defines a first group of objects (13B), in wherein said first group of objects (13B) represents the objects (5, 7) of said plurality of objects (S, 5, 7) that can move relative to the washing area (2) during said cleaning program, said first being group of objects (13B) at least one component of said dishwashing machine (1); - acquiring a second digital image (14) representative of said first group of objects (13B) once a first preset period (T1) has elapsed since the start of a cleaning program; - digitally processing (15) said second acquired image (14) to obtain a second processed image (15A), wherein said second processed image (15A) defines a second contour for each object of said first group of objects (13B); - comparing (16) said first filtered image (13A) with said second processed image (15A) to evaluate whether the first contour of each object of said first group of objects (13B) coincides with the respective second contour and, if it does, notifying a first critical operating state change condition (16A) through said user interface (9); - said method being characterized by the steps of: - according to said first outline of each object, filtering said first processed image (12A) to obtain a second filtered image (13C), wherein said second filtered image (13C) defines a second group of objects (13D), wherein said second group of objects (13D) represents the objects of said plurality of objects (S, 5, 7) that are fixed relative to the wash area (2) during said cleaning program; - acquiring a third digital image (18) representative of said second group of objects once a second preset period (T2) has elapsed since the start of a cleaning program; - digitally processing (19) said third acquired image (18) to obtain a third processed image (19A), wherein said third processed image (19A) defines a second contour for each object of said second group of objects (13D); - comparing (20) said second filtered image (13C) with said third processed image (19A) to evaluate if the first contour of each object of said second group of objects (13D) coincides with the respective second contour and, if it does not , notify a second critical condition of change of operational state (20A) through said user interface (9).

Description

DESCRIPTION

Method for automatically evaluating the movement of an object in a washing area of a dishwasher

Field of the invention

The present disclosure relates to a method for automatically evaluating the displacement of an object in a washing area of a dishwasher, as defined in the preamble of claim 1.

The present disclosure also relates to a dishwashing machine configured to carry out the method of automatically evaluating the displacement of an object in a washing area, as defined in the preamble of claim 10.

The present disclosure further relates to a system comprised of a dishwashing machine and a portable device held manually by the user configured to carry out the method of automatically evaluating the displacement of an object in a washing area, as defined in the preamble of claim 13. Statement of Related Art

Dishwashing machines are known in the art, which are equipped with optical devices such as cameras, camcorders or video recorders, located in a fixed or movable position relative to the washing chamber to check the load of dishes or the degree of cleanliness.

For example, documents WO2016008699 and US 2012/0138092 disclose such dishwashing machines.

DE 10 2015 102694 A1 describes a method for determining the speed of rotation of a spray arm of a dishwashing machine by means of images from a camera, which are processed and then compared to each other to calculate the speed of rotation of the arm. sprinkler based on the result of the image comparison.

Prior art problem

When a dishwashing machine of the type discussed above is in operation, conditions can occur that could degrade the washing and drying performance of the entire load and / or part of the dishes loaded in the wash area.

This could also be caused by the fact that, in some cases, dishes loaded onto the trays by a user could:

- move due to unstable placement on the tray;

- move due to the mechanical action of the washing fluid;

- move due to the weight of the water;

- block the rotation of the impellers used to distribute the fluid over the dishes;

- lock the door of the detergent dispenser.

Summary of the invention

The aim of the present invention is to provide a method, a dishwashing machine and a system for evaluating whether objects in the washing zone have changed position, to avoid the problems of the prior art described above.

This objective is met by a method, a dishwasher and a system for automatically evaluating the displacement of an object in a washing area of a dishwasher, as defined in the following claims 10 and 13, respectively.

Advantages of the invention

An embodiment of the present invention provides a method and a corresponding dishwashing machine, as well as a system consisting of a dishwashing machine and a portable device held manually by the user that can be used to identify the movement of objects within the washing zone of a dishwashing machine, with a view to taking action and restoring the conditions for the correct placement of the objects, thereby reducing the need to wash part of the dishes and / or repeat the washing cycle, which reduces water consumption , detergent and electrical energy.

Brief description of the drawings

The characteristics and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description of a possible practical embodiment, illustrated by way of a non-limiting example in the set of drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 shows a flow chart of the method of the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a front perspective view of a built-in dishwashing machine in which the finishing panels have been omitted, which is configured to carry out the method of Figure 1;

- Figure 3 shows a rear perspective view of the dishwashing machine of Figure 2 in which some of its parts and the dishes have been omitted;

Figure 4 shows a detailed view of an area close to the dispenser, when the latter is equipped with an optical device of the dishwashing machine of Figure 2, according to the present invention;

- Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view, taken along the line V-V of Figure 4.

Detailed description

Even where not explicitly stated, individual features, as described with reference to particular embodiments, should be considered subsidiary and / or interchangeable with other features described with reference to other exemplary embodiments.

With reference to the attached figures 2 to 5, the number 1 designates a dishwashing machine, for example of the built-in type, located in a kitchen cabinet, the trim panels being omitted for a better illustration of the internal volumes.

This dishwasher 1 comprises a washing area 2 and a door 3 adapted to be closely associated with the washing area 2.

The dishwasher 1 identifies a base 1A, normally designed to house the mechanisms / devices necessary to carry out the specific operations of the machine 1.

The washing area 2 defines the volume in which the objects S, 5 and 7 to be monitored are arranged.

Specifically, the washing area 2 is delimited by a plurality of walls, such as the base wall 2A, the side walls 2B and 2C, the ceiling 2D and the bottom wall 2E and identifies an upper portion 2 'and a lower portion. two".

The terms upper / lower are intended to relate to a proper installation and operating condition of the dishwasher 1. In this case, the upper term designates the portion that is furthest from the base 1A, and the lower term designates the portion that is furthest near base 1A.

The door 3 can be manually operated by the user and / or be servo-assisted and is intended to hermetically close the wash area 2 to prevent leakage of wash liquids while the cleaning program is running.

The term object S, 5 and 7 must be understood hereinafter as:

- an item of tableware S, such as a plate, a piece of cutlery, a glass, a saucepan, or

- a part of the dishwasher itself, such as an impeller 5 for introducing washing liquid into the washing area or a door 7 of a dispenser 6 containing detergent.

Impellers 5 are well known in the art and will not be described in further detail herein. It should simply be noted that one or preferably two impellers may be located in the wash area. Specifically, the first impeller is located in the lower area 2 'close to the base 1A and the other is located in the upper area 2 ", preferably in the lower portion of the upper area.

A tray of dishes 21 is located in the lower area 2 'and / or the upper area 2 ", and is intended to house the dishes S, in a manner known in the art and will not be described in more detail herein.

The dishwashing machine 1 comprises a dispenser 6 whose shape defines a volume adapted to house the products necessary to clean the objects, in particular the dishes.

For example, these products can be powdered or tablet detergent, but also a gel.

The dispenser 6 may comprise one or more compartments, each designated to receive a particular laundry product.

In one aspect, the dispenser 6 comprises a door 7 that is configured to move between a closed position and a position that allows free access to the internal volume of the dispenser 6.

For example, when the door 7 is in the closed position, the products cannot exit their respective compartments and when the door 7 is in the open position, these washing products are allowed to exit. The door 7 moves between the closed position and the open position being mechanically and / or electrically controlled by the control unit 4, once the door 3 of the dishwashing machine 1 has been closed.

In one aspect, also with reference to Figure 4, the dispenser 6 is positioned on the door 3 and, in particular, on the side facing the washing area 2, at a predetermined height. More in particular, the dispenser 6 is housed within the thickness of the door 3.

The dishwashing machine 1 comprises a control unit 4, for example, located within the thickness of the door 3, which has a base plate with the usual electrical and electronic devices located therein, including a CPU, a number of ports of e / s for receiving and transmitting data, a memory bank, a portion thereof being designed to permanently store at least one cleaning program.

The control unit 4 is a unit configured to control and supervise the operational functions of the dishwasher 1.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the memory of the control unit 4 is also designed to permanently store a database in which the contours of the objects S, 5 and 7 are identified by means of suitable parameters.

The objects S, 5 and 7 are advantageously identified in the database by one or more digital parameters that can represent the outline of the objects S, 5 and 7. For example, for an impeller 5 or the door 7 of the dispenser 6, the manufacturer of the dishwashing machine 1 is already familiar with the so-called mathematics that these devices represent, but it is intended that the dishes S be identified using a particular imaging process. To execute the selected cleaning program, the dishwashing machine 1 comprises a pump, for example, arranged in the base 1A, which is adapted to be connected, in a manner known to a person skilled in the art and will not be described herein, to a water supply network.

For example, this pump is controlled by a solenoid valve and its purpose is to withdraw water from the network and supply it to the impellers 5 arranged in the washing area 2.

The dishwasher 1 comprises one or more optical devices 8 that can capture digital images of the washing area 2.

In one aspect, the optical devices 8 are arranged with their optical system oriented towards the washing area 2. Specifically, each wall 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D and / or 2E of the washing area 2 can house one or more of the devices optics 8 mentioned above in the thickness thereof.

For this purpose, a housing 2F is provided for each optical device 8.

Housing 2F defines a volume adapted to house its respective optical device and a light transparent cover panel 8A preferably covers the optical device system.

This cover panel 8A is made, for example, of glass or plastic or materials having similar technical properties.

Preferably, the cover panel 8A is arranged substantially flush with or projecting slightly outward from the surface of the wall 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D or 2E.

With particular reference to Figure 5, the housing 2F is formed in the thickness of the door 3 of the dishwasher 2. As shown in this Figure 5, all the electrical and electronic parts necessary for the operation of the optical device 8 are housed in housing 2F.

The purpose of the optical devices 8 in the dishwashing machine 1 is to capture sequential two-dimensional digital photographs and / or images at predetermined capture rates, typically in the visible range of the electromagnetic spectrum, such as a single frame or a burst of images or a stream. images without transition of the washing area 2 and, in particular, of the objects S, 5, 7 in that washing area.

For example, still referring to Figure 5, it can be seen that the optical device 8 has a field of view 8B, which allows the acquisition of images of objects S, 5 and / or 7 that are within such field of vision. vision.

These optical devices 8 are in signal communication with the control unit 4 through the I / O ports of the latter to send the acquired data to the control unit 4.

The optical devices 8 are realized, for example, in the form of a photographic camera and / or a video camera. These devices are known in the art and will not be described in further detail herein.

However, it should be noted that the photographic camera and / or the camcorder as used in the dishwashing machine 1 preferably meet the technical specifications for operation with water, that is, the photographic camera and / or the camcorder meet the standard IP x (1-8).

Instead of or in addition to these technical specifications, the housing 2F in which the optical devices 8 are placed, is configured to be watertight, for example, using sealing techniques.

The dishwasher 1 comprises a user interface 9, that is, the control and monitoring interface through which the user can control and manage the operation and functions of the dishwasher.

For this purpose, the user interface 9 is in signal communication with the control unit 4 through the I / O ports of the latter to receive the data processed by the CPU of the control unit.

In one embodiment, the user interface 9 is a display 23 that is integrated into the dishwashing machine 1 so that it is visible to a user during normal operation and / or with the addition of a buzzer (not shown).

In one aspect, still referring to Figures 1 and 2, the user interface 9 is integrated in the door 3 in such an orientation that the screen is oriented away from the wash area 2.

It should be noted that the display of the user interface 9 is configured to display individual or continuous light indications, text messages and / or images. Specifically, the images displayed on the screen can be the images of the washing area 2 and the objects provided therein can be acquired by the optical devices 8. In particular, the screen can be a touch screen (ie, touch sensitive ).

In another embodiment, the user interface 9 comprises one or more analog buttons and / or a combination of analog / digital controls and / or a combination of analog / digital controls and a screen, the latter being, for example, a touch screen.

The user interface buzzer 9 is intended to provide acoustic warnings of any operational situation or condition to the user.

In one embodiment, the dishwasher 1 comprises a radio transmitter / radio receiver apparatus, which is configured to provide signal communication with a wired and / or wireless network. For example, the wireless network can be a protocol-based Internet network using a Wi-Fi connection or a Bluetooth-based WPAN ("Wireless Personal Area Network").

In that case, the user interface 9 also comprises a portable device (that is, a device that a user can carry and hold in the hand) 22 such as a smartphone, a tablet, a PC or similar instruments.

In other words, the user interface 9 comprises both the usual control interface of the dishwashing machine 1 and the display of a portable device 22.

In particular, the portable device 22 has its own radio transmitter / radio receiver apparatus, which is configured to establish a signal communication with the radio transmitter / radio receiver apparatus of the dishwashing machine 1.

In one aspect, the portable device 22 is not only capable of communicating with the control unit 4 of the dishwasher 1, but also of connecting via the Internet network, for example via a GSM infrastructure, to one or more more remote servers 24 to carry out data storage, safeguarding and / or processing operations on the images that have been captured by the optical devices 8.

In other words, the portable device 22 is adapted to connect directly to the dishwasher 1 and to the Internet network through the GSM infrastructure. Thus, a system 25 is provided which comprises the dishwasher 1 and the portable device 22 which communicate with each other by signals via the GSM network, a Wi-Fi connection and / or a WPAN.

It should be noted that the screen of the portable device 22 is configured to display light indications, text messages and / or images captured by the optical devices 8.

In an embodiment of the present invention, if the user interface 9 also includes the portable device 22, then the database in which the contours of the objects S, 5 and 7, are identified through suitable parameters that they can be stored at least partially, preferably, in their entirety, in the memory of the portable device 22, in a mass storage of the server and / or be distributed by the memories of the dishwashing machine 1, the portable device 22 and the server 23.

In one aspect, the control unit 4 is in signal communication with the user interface 9 (provided either as the display of the dishwashing machine 1 or as a display of the portable device) to transmit changes in the operating state of the dishwashing machine 1 .

As used herein, a change in operating state is intended to designate any change in the function of the dishwashing machine 1 that results in the displacement of one or more objects S, 5 or 7 to a position that cannot guarantee proper operation, that is, to a state in which one or more problems occur.

In one aspect, these problems include in particular:

- a component 5, 7 of the dishwasher that has not moved from its initial position, for example, because it is blocked by an article of tableware, and / or

- an article of tableware S that has been moved from its initial position, for example to a position where it cannot be washed and / or dried properly or to a position where it will block the movement of components (for example, the rotation of the impellers or movement of the dispenser door from the closed configuration to the open configuration) of the dishwasher.

In one embodiment, the identification of one or more of the problems mentioned above does not affect the execution of the cleaning program, that is, the cleaning program that has been established will be completed despite the detected problem or problems.

Alternatively, upon detecting one or more of the above-mentioned problems, the cleaning program is designed to be stopped automatically, that is, by the control unit 4, or manually, that is, by the user. This situation is restored as soon as the user fixes the detected problems, so that the initially selected program is completed.

In a further alternative embodiment, upon detecting one or more of the problems mentioned above, the cleaning program may be designed so that the control unit 4 changes or modifies it automatically, to account for the detected problem.

For example, in case of changes in the cleaning program, if for example the problem detected is a displacement of a tableware S from its reference position (which affects the washing efficiency), the cleaning program that is running can be changed by the control unit 4 by increasing the water supply time (ie duration) to compensate for the detected problem.

Consequently, the visual indications that can be displayed on the screen of the user interface 9, in addition to the usual indications known in the art, can provide a warning of possible changes in the operating states of the dishwasher 1.

Referring now to Figure 1, the method of automatic evaluation of the displacement of an object S, 5 and / or 7, that is, an article of tableware and / or a component of the dishwashing machine 1 in a washing area 2 , includes the step 10 of providing a plurality of objects S, 5, 7 in the washing area 2.

It should be noted that the steps of the method as described hereinafter, that is, the steps of acquisition, processing, filtering, comparison and division must be carried out either directly by the CPU of the control unit 4 or more preferably by the CPU of the portable user device through the Internet connection with the CPU of remote servers for data analysis and processing.

The method comprises a step of acquiring a first digital image 11 representative of the plurality of objects S, 5 and / or 7.

This acquisition stage is carried out through the optical device (s) 8 located in the washing area 2.

The first digital image is preferably acquired after closing door 3, but before starting the cleaning program.

For this purpose, the control unit 4 supervises the acquisition stage by controlling the optical device (s) 8 once the door 3 has been closed before the start of the cleaning program.

Once the first image has been acquired, the method comprises a step 12 of digital processing of the first acquired image 11 to obtain a first processed image 12a; wherein said first processed image 12A defines a first contour for each object of said plurality of objects S, 5 and / or 7.

In other words, the control unit 4 and / or the portable user device initiates a process in which the first image 11 is processed to define the outline of each of the objects S, 5 and / or 7 in the area of wash 2, which can be either dishes and / or components of the dishwasher machine.

It should be noted that the first processed image 12A represents the initial image, that is, an image of the initial arrangement of the objects S, 5 and / or 7 whose displacement is to be evaluated.

The method comprises a filtering step 13 which, based on the first outline of each object, filters the first processed image 12A to obtain a first filtered image 13A. This first filtered image 13A defines a first group of objects 13B, this first group of objects representing objects 5 and / or 7 of the plurality of objects S, 5 and / or 7 that are mobile relative to the washing area 2.

In other words, by applying the filter 13, the outlines of the objects in the first processed image 12A can be distinguished to obtain a first filtered image 13A that only contains the outlines of the objects that are movable relative to the wash area 2.

Consequently, the first group of objects 13B comprises the objects that are expected to move relative to the washing area 2 during the cleaning program, these objects being components of the dishwashing machine 1. These objects of the first group of objects 13B are , for example, the impeller (s) 5 and the door 7 of the dispenser 6.

The impeller (s) 5 must move relative to the wash area to introduce a uniform flow of water and detergent products into the wash area 2. The movement is a rotary movement around a central point, which is typically the center of gravity.

Similarly, for detergent materials to mix with water, it is necessary for the door 7 of dispenser 6 to move from the closed configuration to the open configuration.

The filtering step 13 can be implemented, for example, by comparing the contours that have been identified with the contours stored in a database residing in the memory of the control unit 4 or in the memory of the portable user device or in a remote server both from the dishwasher 1 and the manually held user device.

Specifically, the manufacturer of the dishwashing machine 1 knows the contours of the impellers 5 and / or the door 7 of the dispenser 6 and they can be stored in advance and directly compared with those of the first processed image 12A.

The other contours of the first processed image 12A, that is, the contours that are not part of the first group 13B, belong to a second group of objects 13D which, as described below, define the objects S that are immobile relative to the washing area 2.

As used herein, the term objects that are immobile relative to wash area 2 or mobile relative to wash area 2 is intended to indicate that:

- in the first case, the spatial coordinates that identify one or more characteristic peculiarities of the objects (for example, the edge of a plate, the bottom of a glass, etc.) will remain unchanged with respect to the reference system represented by the area wash 2 during the cleaning program (that is, the coordinates do not change over time during the cleaning program cycle);

- in the latter case, the spatial coordinates that identify one or more characteristic peculiarities of the objects (for example, the end of an impeller, the edge of the dispenser door, etc.) will change with respect to the reference system represented by the wash area 2 during the cleaning program (that is, the coordinates vary over time during the cleaning program cycle).

First group of objects 13B

The method comprises the step of acquiring a second image 14 representative of the first group of objects 13B after a first preset period of time T1 has elapsed since the start of a cleaning program.

Preferably, this first time period T1 should be greater than a few seconds, allowing a check as to whether the objects in the first group 13B have moved or are moving in the washing area 2.

In a preferred embodiment, this first period of time T1 is greater than three seconds and not greater than four minutes. During this interval, a check can be made as to whether the impeller (s) 5 are rotating and that the door 7 of the dispenser 6 has actually been opened.

In one aspect, the optical devices 8 that are preferably used to acquire the second image 14 are those positioned in the lower portion 2 'of the wash area 2.

The method comprises a stage 15 of digital processing of the second acquired image 14 to obtain a second processed image 15A, wherein this second processed image 15A defines a second contour for each object of said first group of objects 13B.

The method comprises a step 16 of comparing the first filtered image 13A with the second processed image 15A to evaluate if the first contour of each object of said first group of objects 13B coincides with the respective second contour and, if it does, notify 16A a critical operating state change condition via user interface 9.

In other words, once the period T1 has elapsed after the start of the cleaning program, the control unit 4 will actuate the optical device (s) 8 to acquire the second image 15a to check whether the outline of the objects of the first group of objects 13B has moved or is moving.

In the case of the impeller (s) 5, the control unit 4 can check if they have moved, to indicate a first critical condition 16A through the user interface 9 if an obstacle blocks their movement.

This also applies to door 7 of dispenser 6.

Consequently, the signal associated with the first critical condition 16A allows the user to know through interface 9 if:

- the rotation of the impeller (s) 5 is blocked or hindered,

- the door 7 of the dispenser has not been opened.

In one aspect, after (or possibly at the same time as) the first critical condition indication step 16A, the cleaning program is designed to proceed as expected, to change in response to this first critical condition 16A that has been set. detected or to stop until normal operating conditions have been restored.

Second group of objects 13D

The filtering stage 13 according to the first contour of each object can filter the first processed image 12A to additionally or alternatively obtain a second filtered image 13C, the second filtered image defining a second group of objects 13D.

This second group of objects 13D represents the objects S of the plurality of objects S, 5 and 7 that are immobile in relation to the washing area 2.

As mentioned above, the objects that need to be immobile in relation to the washing area 2 are the dishes S.

The method comprises a step of acquiring a third image 18 representative of the second group of objects once a second preset period of time T2 has elapsed since the start of the cleaning program. Preferably, this second period of time T2 should be longer than a few seconds, allowing a check on whether the objects in the second group are stationary, that is, they are not moving in the washing area 2. In one embodiment, this second period of time T2 is greater than one minute.

In one aspect, the optical devices 8 that are preferably used to acquire the third image 18 are those positioned on the side walls 2B and 2C.

The method comprises the stage 19 of digital processing of the third acquired image 18 to obtain a third processed image 19A, wherein this third processed image 19A defines a second contour for each object of said second group of objects 13D.

The method comprises a step 20 of comparing the second filtered image 13C with the third processed image 19A to evaluate if the first contour of each object of the second group of objects 13B coincides with the respective second contour and, if it does not, notify 20A a critical operating state change condition via user interface 9.

To ensure that the first group of objects can move during the cleaning program or, more particularly, when the cleaning program requires that the impellers can move, the method includes repeating steps 14, 15 and 16, namely , acquiring the second representative image of the first group of objects 13B, once the first preset period of time T 1 has elapsed since the start of the cleaning program, at regular or random intervals, to thereby provide a plurality of second images , separated as a function of time, representative of the position of the first group of objects 13B relative to the wash area 2.

By means of this repetition of steps 14, 15 and 16, a comparison can be made with the first filtered image 13A, to evaluate whether the first contour of each object of the first group of objects 13B coincides with the respective second contour and, if it does , notify 16A the operating state change condition through the user interface 9.

In other words, the control unit 4 instructs the optical device / s 8 to acquire additional second images 14, the acquisition occurring at regular or random intervals. These second images 14 are processed to define the new outlines of the objects. These new contours are compared to the respective contours of the first filtered image 13A to assess whether a shift has occurred. If the contours match, a change in operating status is reported via the user interface 9.

Mutatis mutandis, the method comprises the same procedure for the second group of 13D objects, except that a change in operational state is reported if the new contours do not match those of the second filtered image.

In particular, the method includes repeating steps 18, 19 and 20 to assess, by a comparison with the second filtered image 13C, whether the first contour of each object in the second group of objects 13D matches the respective second contour and, if not it does, notify 20A of a second critical operating state change condition via user interface 9.

Consequently, the signal associated with the second critical condition 20A allows the user to know through the interface 9 if the dishes S have changed position.

In one aspect, after (or possibly at the same time as) the stage in which the second critical condition 20A is indicated, the cleaning program is designed to proceed as expected, changing in response to this first critical condition 20A being detected or stopped until normal operating conditions have been restored.

In one aspect, that is, the processing steps 12, 15 and 19 comprise a process through which the images 13A, 13C are divided, placing a reference grid thereon, to compare the grid with the respective grid of images. images 15A and 19A acquired at later times.

In particular, comparing the spatial position of the contours of the acquired objects S, 5 and 7 in the images 13A, 13C, with the respective grids as a reference, with the contours of the objects S, 5 and 7 of the images 15A and 19A acquired at later times, with the respective new grids as a reference, an assessment can be made as to whether the objects of the first group 13B have moved or the objects of the second group are still immobile relative to the wash area 2. The contour comparison of an object that is within a grid of the initial image with the corresponding grid of the next image over time allows us to appreciate a possible displacement (or not displacement) of the object that is being captured.

As mentioned above, the method and the dishwashing machine 1 make it possible to notify a change in the operating status of the machine through the user interface 9, which allows actions to be taken to restore the proper installation conditions of the machine. object. This will reduce the need to wash part of the dishes and / or repeat the wash cycle, which leads to a reduction in the consumption of water, detergent and electrical energy.

Those skilled in the art will obviously appreciate that a number of changes and variants such as those described above can be made to satisfy particular requirements, without thereby departing from the scope of the invention, as defined in the following claims.

Claims (12)

1. Method for automatically evaluating the displacement of an object (S, 5, 7) in a washing area (2) of a dishwasher (1), said dishwasher comprising a door (3), designed to be associated with said washing area (2) to close it, and being configured to implement a cleaning program and to be in communication by signals with a user interface (9), the method comprising the steps of: - providing (10) a plurality of objects (S, 5, 7) in said washing area (2); - acquiring a first digital image (11) representative of said plurality of objects (S, 5, 7); - digitally processing (12) said first acquired image (11) to obtain a first processed image (12A); wherein said first processed image (12A) defines a first contour for each object of said plurality of objects (S, 5, 7); - according to said first outline of each object, filtering (13) said first processed image (12A) to obtain a first filtered image (13A), wherein said first filtered image (13A) defines a first group of objects (13B), in wherein said first group of objects (13B) represents the objects (5, 7) of said plurality of objects (S, 5, 7) that can move relative to the washing area (2) during said cleaning program, said first group of objects (13B) at least one component of said dishwashing machine (1); - acquiring a second digital image (14) representative of said first group of objects (13B) once a first preset period (T1) has elapsed since the start of a cleaning program; - digitally processing (15) said second acquired image (14) to obtain a second processed image (15A), wherein said second processed image (15A) defines a second contour for each object of said first group of objects (13B); - comparing (16) said first filtered image (13A) with said second processed image (15A) to evaluate if the first contour of each object of said first group of objects (13B) coincides with the respective second contour and, if it does, notifying a first critical operating state change condition (16A) through said user interface (9); - said method being characterized by the steps of: - according to said first outline of each object, filtering said first processed image (12A) to obtain a second filtered image (13C), wherein said second filtered image (13C) defines a second group of objects (13D), wherein said second group of objects (13D) represents the objects of said plurality of objects (S, 5, 7) that are fixed relative to the washing area (2) during said cleaning program; - acquiring a third digital image (18) representative of said second group of objects once a second pre-established period (T2) has elapsed since the start of a cleaning program; - digitally processing (19) said third acquired image (18) to obtain a third processed image (19A), wherein said third processed image (19A) defines a second contour for each object of said second group of objects (13D); - comparing (20) said second filtered image (13C) with said third processed image (19A) to evaluate if the first contour of each object of said second group of objects (13D) coincides with the respective second contour and, if it does not , notify a second critical condition of change of operational state (20A) through said user interface (9). A method according to claim 1, wherein said step of acquiring said first digital image (12) occurs once said door (3) has been closed and when said cleaning program has not yet started. A method according to claim 1, comprising repeating at regular or random intervals, once the first preset period of time (T1) has elapsed since the start of a cleaning program, the step of acquiring a second digital image (14), digitally processing (15) said second acquired image (14) to obtain a second processed image (15A) and comparing (16) said first filtered image (13A) with said second processed image (15A) to obtain a plurality of second images, separated over time, representative of the position of the first group of objects (13B) in relation to the washing area (2). A method according to claim 1, comprising repeating at regular or random intervals, once the second preset period of time (T2) has elapsed from the start of a cleaning program, the step of acquiring a third digital image (18), digitally processing (19) said third acquired image (18) to obtain a third processed image (19A) and comparing (20) said second filtered image (13C) with said third processed image (19A) to obtain a plurality of third images, separated over time, representative of the position of the second group of objects (13D) in relation to the washing area (2). A method according to claim 1, wherein said first group (13B) comprises a component (5, 7) of the dishwashing machine that can move between the first and second operating positions. A method according to claim 1, wherein said second group (13D) comprises a plurality of tableware items (S). A method according to any of the preceding claims 1, wherein said processing steps (12, 15 and 19) comprise a process through which said first or second filtered images (13A, 13C) are placed in a reference grid to compare such grid with the respective grid of the second or third processed image (15A and 19A). A method according to claim 1, wherein, after said step of notifying said first critical condition (16A) or said second critical condition (20A), said cleaning schedule is changed, according to said first critical condition (16A ) or second critical condition (20A) that has been reported, or is stopped. 9. A dishwasher machine comprising a washing area (2) and a door (3) designed to be associated with said washing area (2) to close it, a control unit (4) having a memory with a program of cleaning stored therein, a pump adapted to connect to a connection of the water supply network to take water from the network, one or more impellers (5) in fluid communication with such a pump, a dispenser (6) having a door (7) configured to move between a closed position and an open position, one or more optical devices (8) that can acquire digital images of said washing area (2) and a user interface (9), said one or more optical devices (8) and user interface (9) in communication by signals with said control unit (4), as well as with said pump, characterized in that it comprises a program that is housed in another portion of said memory, which is configured to carry out the stages according to any d e of the preceding claims 1 to 8. A dishwashing machine according to claim 9, wherein said user interface is a display (23) integrated into said dishwashing machine, said display (23) being configured to show a first critical condition (16A) and / or a second condition critical (20A) due to a change in operating state, through warning lights, texts and / or images. A dishwashing machine according to claim 9, wherein said dishwashing machine comprises a radio transmitting apparatus and said user interface is a portable device (22) having its own radio transmitting apparatus configured to establish signal communication with said apparatus. radio transmitter of said dishwashing machine (2) to thereby receive data representative of said change in operating state, said portable device having its own screen, which is configured to show said change in operating state through lights, messages and / or warning images. 12. A system for automatically evaluating the displacement of an object (S, 5, 7) in a washing area (2) of a dishwasher (1), comprising: a dishwashing machine (1) comprising a washing area (2) and a door (3) designed to be associated with said washing area (2) to close it, a control unit (4) having a memory with a program cleaning stored therein, a pump adapted to connect to a connection of the water supply network to take water from the network, one or more impellers (5) in fluid communication with such a pump, a dispenser (6) having a door (7) configured to move between a closed position and an open position, one or more optical devices (8) that can acquire digital images of said washing area (2) and a user interface (9), said one being or more optical devices (8) and user interface (9) in communication by signals with said control unit (4), as well as with said pump, and a radio transmitter / radio receiver apparatus; - a portable device (22) designed to be held manually by a user, which has its own radio transmitter / radio receiver device configured to establish communication by signals with said radio transmitter / radio receiver device of said dishwasher, a screen configured to show lights, messages and / or warning images and a memory, characterized in that it comprises a program that is housed in a portion of said memory of the portable device held manually by the user (22), said program being configured to carry out the steps according to any of the previous claims 1 to 8, for a first or second critical condition of change of operating state (16A, 20A) that will be displayed on said interface (9) and / or said screen of said portable device held manually by the user.