DE102019108395A1 - Method and device for operating a dishwasher and dishwasher and / or a camera with a device - Google Patents

Abstract

The approach presented here relates to a method for operating a dishwasher (100). The method comprises a step of reading, a step of setting, a step of comparing, and a step of outputting. In the reading-in step, a recognition signal (110) representing at least one recognized type of wash item (115) that has been or has been taken into the dishwasher (100) is read. In the setting step, a counter (120) is set in response to the detection signal (110), the counter (120) being adapted to determine a counted number of items to be washed of the identified type of dishes (115). In the comparison step, the counted number of items to be washed is compared with a set number of items to be washed. In the step of outputting, a control signal (130) is output, which is adapted to effect a cleaning of the dishes (115) in the dishwasher (100), if in the step of comparing the counted number of items to be washed in a predetermined ratio to the set number of items stands.

Description

The approach presented here relates to a method and an apparatus for operating a dishwasher and a dishwasher and / or a camera with a device.

There are detection systems that can detect a load of a dishwasher with items to be washed.

The DE 100 48 081 A1 describes a method for recognizing the load of washware using an image recognition system before and during a wash program.

The DE 10 2015 215 984 A1 describes a water-conducting household appliance with a detection unit for detecting a type of items to be washed during loading of the items to be washed in the water-bearing domestic appliance and an output unit for outputting a signal indicative of a user depending on the detected type of dishes.

The object of the present invention is to provide an improved method and apparatus for operating a dishwasher and a dishwasher and / or camera having an improved apparatus.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a method for operating a dishwasher, furthermore an apparatus for operating a dishwasher as well as a dishwasher and / or a camera with a device having the features or steps of the main claims. Subject of the present approach is also a computer program. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the approach will become apparent from the following subclaims.

The advantages that can be achieved with the approach presented here are that, by means of a method presented here, it is possible to activate a cleaning function of a dishwasher depending on a recognized type of washware in the dishwasher. A threshold value for triggering the cleaning function can advantageously be set user-defined for different types of items to be washed.

A method of operating a dishwasher includes a step of reading, a step of setting, a step of comparing, and a step of outputting. In the read-in step, a detection signal is read in which represents at least one recognized type of washware that is or has been taken into the dishwasher. In the setting step, a counter is set in response to the detection signal, the counter being configured to determine a counted number of items to be washed of the detected type of items to be washed. In the comparison step, the counted number of items to be washed is compared with a set number of items to be washed. In the step of outputting, a control signal is output that is adapted to effect a cleaning of the dishes in the dishwasher when, in the step of comparing, the counted number of dishes is in a predetermined ratio to the set number of dishes.

This method can be implemented, for example, in software or hardware or in a mixed form of software and hardware, for example in a control unit.

The dishwasher may be a dishwasher designed to rinse dishes and other items to be washed. A method presented here allows a control of a cleaning function of the dishwasher depending on a detected number of items to be washed a type of items to a set Spülgutanzahl the type of items to be washed. So it can be ensured that, for example, a certain type of items to be cleaned always and / or another type of items to be cleaned only after reaching another set Spülgutanzahl. This allows for custom operation of the dishwasher. The type of items to be washed, for example, a plate or a glass. The counted number of items to be washed can be understood to mean the number of parts of the type of items to be washed counted so far. The counted number of items to be washed can be represented by a current counter reading. For example, in the step of setting, the counter can be incremented by one value whenever the detection signal indicates that another part of the type mentioned has been detected. The predetermined ratio may indicate, for example, that the counted number of items to be washed has reached or exceeded the set number of items to be washed.

In the step of reading in, the recognition signal can be read in, in which the type of washware was detected using at least one camera. By way of example, a camera can quickly and easily identify types of items to be washed by means of object recognition and / or use of neural networks and can provide specific information in the form of the recognition signal.

In the step of receiving, the set number of items to be washed can be received by a setting device of the dishwasher and / or an interface to an external device. The adjusting device may be an example actuatable by the user Acting adjustment means by means of which the user can set as the set number of items to be washed a desired number of items to be washed for the particular type of items, which then triggers the cleaning function of the dishwasher, for example, when reached. The external device may be a computer or a mobile phone. This device can be designed to be internet-enabled. By means of the device, according to the above description, a desired number of dishes can be set by the user to provide the set number of dishes for the step of receiving. For this example, an app of the device can be used.

In the step of comparing, the counted number of items to be washed can be compared with the set number of items that represents an existing total number of types of items and / or represents a user number of users of the type of items and / or represents a fixed minimum number of types of items.

For example, the control signal may be output when the total number of available items has been reached and / or when there are insufficient clean items available for the number of users and / or the minimum number has been set, which may be a specified minimum amount of clean items available.

It is also advantageous if the method has a step of resetting, in which the counter is reset in response to a cleaning signal indicating a cleaning cycle of the dishwasher. Thus, after a cleaning procedure initiated by the method or manually, the counter can be reset to enable again a controlled cleaning cycle after the cleaning has been carried out.

In the read-in step, another detection signal representing at least one other detected type of washware that is or has been taken into the dishwasher may be read, wherein in the setting step, another counter is set in response to the another detection signal, the further counter adapted to determine a further counted number of items to be washed of the further identified type of items to be compared in the comparing step, the further counted items to be counted with another set Spülgutanzahl, wherein in the step of outputting the control signal is output, if in the step of comparing the further counted number of items to be washed is in a predetermined ratio to the further number of items to be set. Here, the type of items to be washed may differ from the other type of items to be washed. The set number of items to be washed may also differ from the further number of items to be set. Thus, a cleaning cycle is possible depending on different types of items to be washed and user-defined different thresholds for each type.

The approach presented here also creates a device that is designed to perform the steps of a variant of a method presented here in appropriate facilities to drive or implement. Also by this embodiment of the approach in the form of a device, the approach underlying the approach can be solved quickly and efficiently.

The apparatus may be configured to read in input signals and to determine and provide output signals using the input signals. An input signal can represent, for example, a sensor signal which can be read in via an input interface of the device. An output signal may represent a control signal or a data signal that may be provided at an output interface of the device. The apparatus may be configured to determine the output signals using a processing instruction implemented in hardware or software. For example, the device may for this purpose comprise a logic circuit, an integrated circuit or a software module and be implemented, for example, as a discrete component or be comprised by a discrete component.

A dishwasher and / or a camera has the presented device. A dishwasher presented here can serve as a substitute for known dishwashers, wherein the presented dishwasher advantageously realizes the advantages of the device. A camera presented here can serve as a replacement for known cameras, wherein the presented camera advantageously realizes the advantages of the device. This camera may be formed and / or formed for use with a dishwasher.

According to one embodiment, the presented dishwasher has a camera device which is designed to detect an area lying outside a dishwasher's dishwasher compartment and / or to have an automatic metering device.

Also of advantage is a computer program product or computer program with program code which can be stored on a machine-readable carrier or storage medium such as a semiconductor memory, a hard disk memory or an optical memory. Is the program product or program on a computer or a device, or program for implementing, implementing and / or driving the steps of the method according to one of the embodiments described above can be used.

The method or apparatus described herein may be used in conjunction with a dishwasher formed as a domestic appliance or also formed as a commercial or professional appliance, for example a medical appliance such as a washer-disinfector Small sterilizer, a large-capacity disinfector or a container car wash.

• 1 eine schematische Darstellung eines Geschirrspülers mit einer Vorrichtung zum Betreiben des Geschirrspülers gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel; und
• 2 ein Ablaufdiagramm eines Verfahrens zum Betreiben eines Geschirrspülers gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel.

Embodiments of the approach are shown purely schematically in the drawings and will be described in more detail below. It shows

• 1 a schematic representation of a dishwasher with an apparatus for operating the dishwasher according to an embodiment; and
• 2 a flowchart of a method for operating a dishwasher according to an embodiment.

In the following description of favorable embodiments of the present approach, the same or similar reference numerals are used for the elements shown in the various figures and similar acting, with a repeated description of these elements is omitted.

1 shows a schematic representation of a dishwasher 100 with a device 105 to operate the dishwasher 100 according to an embodiment.

The device 105 is on or in the dishwasher according to this embodiment 100 taken and trained to operate the dishwasher 100 to effect. This is the device 105 designed to be a recognition signal 110 to read in the at least one recognized type of items to be washed 115 that represents in the dishwasher 100 is or was taken. The device 105 is designed to be responsive to the detection signal 110 Optionally, using external, approximately connected via the Internet processing facilities, with which the recognition signal is processed, a counter 120 set, which is adapted to a counted number of items to be washed of the identified type of items to be washed 115 to investigate. According to this embodiment, the counter is 120 in the device 105 arranged. The device 105 is further adapted to compare the counted number of items to be washed with a set number of items to be washed. For this purpose, the device 105 according to this embodiment, a comparison device 125 on. The device 105 is designed to be a control signal 130 issued, which is adapted to a cleaning of the dishes in the dishwasher 100 to effect when the counted number of items to be washed is in a predetermined ratio to the set number of items to be washed. According to this embodiment, the control signal 130 to a control unit 135 of the dishwasher 100 for driving a cleaning function of the dishwasher 100 output. According to this embodiment, the comparison device 125 the control signal 130 ready.

According to this embodiment, the device reads 105 the recognition signal 110 one in which the type of ware 115 using at least one camera 140 . 145 was detected. According to this embodiment, the type of the dishes was 115 using at least a first camera 140 and / or a second camera 145 recognized. According to this embodiment, the device reads 105 the recognition signal 110 from the first camera 140 and / or the second camera 145 one. According to an alternative embodiment, the device is 105 in or on at least one of the cameras 140 . 145 added.

The first camera 140 is according to this embodiment of a frame of the dishwasher 100 arranged and adapted to one outside a washing room 150 of the dishwasher 100 lying first area 155 capture. The second camera 145 is in this embodiment on a door of the dishwasher 100 arranged and adapted to one outside the wash cabinet with fully open door 150 lying second area 160 , In particular, from the washing compartment pulled out Spülgutkörbe to detect and / or around the door with a closed inside the washing compartment 150 lying area. At least one of the cameras 140 . 145 may be at another suitable position, also spaced from the dishwasher 100 be arranged.

According to this embodiment, the device is 105 adapted to the set Spülgutanzahl of an adjustment of the dishwasher and / or an interface to an external device 165 to recieve.

According to this embodiment, the comparison device 125 designed to compare the number of items to be counted with the number of items to be set. For example, the counted number of items to be washed represents an existing total number of types of items to be washed 115 , a user number of users of the type of items to be washed 115 . a specified minimum number of types of items to be washed 115 , or a combination of them.

According to this embodiment, the device is 105 designed to be the counter 120 in response to a cleaning signal indicating a cleaning cycle of the dishwasher 100 indicates to reset. Thus, after emptying the dishwasher 100 with counting the dishes 115 to be restarted.

According to an alternative embodiment, the device reads 105 another Erkennsignal that represents at least one other recognized type of items to be washed in the dishwasher 100 is or was taken, the device 105 in response to the further detection signal sets a further counter, which is adapted to determine a further counted number of items to be washed of the further identified type of items to be cleaned, wherein the comparing means 125 compares the further number of items to be counted with another set number of items to be washed, and compares the apparatus 105 the control signal 130 outputs when the counted number of items to be counted is in a predetermined ratio to the further set items to be washed.

In the following, embodiments are based on the 1 described again in other words:

The device presented here 105 allows automatic load detection and automatic start of a dishwasher 100 with at least one camera 140 . 145 by means of a Spülgutbilanzierung.

It is expected that users may experience a regular, automatic startup of the dishwasher 100 Not to be endorsed, as they could fear the dishwasher 100 starts, although possibly still dirty dishes are not allowed and thus not washed with. This has both ecologically negative effects and user satisfaction. Advantageously, the device presented here is 105 adapted to already in the dishwasher before the beginning of a rinsing process 100 to estimate arranged to be cleaned Spülgutmenge or recognize.

By integrating at least one camera 140 . 145 in or on the dishwasher 100 , according to this embodiment, the dishwasher 100 the first camera 140 at an upper edge of the washing compartment 150 and / or the second camera 145 with a view horizontally forward on a door inside with a view to the top. Using a previously on a visual detection of items to be washed 115 trained deep neural network, according to this embodiment using a so-called "folding neural network". "Convolutional Neural Network", in short "CNN" and / or a so-called "deep neural network", engl. "Deep Neural Network", in short "DNN", is the dishwasher 100 using the camera 140 . 145 able to recognize which items of washware are or have been granted. This neural network operates locally in the dishwasher according to this embodiment 100 and / or is via the internet to the dishwasher 100 tethered. The information determined thereby can be in the form of the recognition signal 110 to be provided.

With these extensions is the dishwasher 100 using the device 105 able to wash items 115 to count and from a user definable threshold, previously referred to as "set Spülgutanzahl" automatically start the cleaning.

As a central functional extension stand according to this embodiment, various counters 120 for a wash inventory, so that the users of the dishwasher 100 according to this embodiment by means of an app connection of the device 165 and / or the dishwasher 100 configure how many users live in the household and how many different items of laundry items are used in the home. The latter appreciates and / or learns the dishwasher 100 and / or the device 105 according to an alternative embodiment with time automatically.

In a simple example, the dishwasher balances 100 thus by means of the device 105 that four soiled plates have already been given. With the information that a total of six large plates are used in the home and three users live in the home, the device closes 105 that only two clean plates are available. If configured accordingly, the dishwasher starts 100 automatically a rinse, so punctually for the next meal again at least three clean plates are available. This can be extended as desired to whole place settings, or even to a nutritional plan with exemplary all meals of a week.

Similarly, from the device 105 It is also possible to estimate whether and how much soiled items are still to be expected in order to determine an optimal start time.

According to this embodiment, after each rinse the counters 120 for dirty items 115 set back to zero.

So are different thresholds, for each counter 120 per type of wash, large Plates, small plates, cups, knives, forks, spoons; etc., adjustable, these individual thresholds are also manually in the app to the dishwasher 100 adjustable and / or configurable. By means of possible preset standard profiles for different household sizes and / or habits, this object can be simplified according to an embodiment for the user. Analogously, these profiles contain according to an embodiment desired program end times as proposals for automatic rinses. The latter are from the device 105 according to an alternative embodiment of the user behavior statistically learned and proposed according to the users.

The addition to camera-based load detection and counting is the device 105 of the dishwasher 100 Advantageously able to determine the appropriate date for automatic rinses from exceeding a minimum loading and / or below a minimum amount of clean dishes.

This helps the device 105 of the dishwasher 100 by actively rinsing the users and at the same time creating a positive ecological impression of the overall system among the users.

A function of the device 105 is described again in other words:

The device presented here 105 allows a comparison of a determined by means of an optical load detection number of Spülgutteilen per certain Spülgutart with an input, stored value of a total number of such Spülgutteilen in the household and / or an enterable number of users in the household.

Depending on this, an "autostart", ie an independent start of the dishwasher 100 or, according to one embodiment, at least one output of a corresponding "push message" for starting the dishwasher 100 by remote control, controlled.

The device 105 is designed to be with a dishwasher 100 to be used with an automatic dosing, ie with a reservoir for cleaning agent, is dosed automatically, ie in which for starting the program by the user no further action such as detergent or the like. is required. According to one embodiment, the device gives 105 in response to the control signal 130 a metering signal to an automatic metering device of the household appliance 100 to cause automatic dosing of a detergent before a cleaning pass.

2 shows a flowchart of a method 200 for operating a dishwasher according to an embodiment.

This can be a procedure 200 act that of the in 1 described device is controllable or executable.

The procedure 200 has a step 205 of reading in, one step 210 of putting, one step 215 of comparing and one step 220 of spending. Optionally, the procedure indicates 200 according to this embodiment also a step 225 of receiving and one step 230 of resetting.

In step 205 When reading, a detection signal is read in which represents at least one recognized type of items to be washed, which was or was taken in the dishwasher. In step 210 of setting, a counter is set in response to the detection signal, the counter being adapted to determine a counted number of items to be washed of the identified type of dishes. In step 215 By comparing, the counted number of items to be washed is compared with a set number of items to be washed. In step 220 outputting a control signal is output, which is adapted to cause a cleaning of the dishes in the dishwasher, if in step 215 comparing the number of items to be counted is in a predetermined ratio to the set number of items to be washed.

According to this embodiment, in step 205 reading in the recognition signal in which the type of items to be washed was detected using at least one camera.

According to this embodiment, in step 215 comparing the counted number of items to be washed with the set number of items to be washed representing an existing total number of the type of items to be washed and / or represents a user number of users of the type of items to be washed and / or represents a predetermined minimum number of the type of items to be washed.

According to this embodiment, in step 205 reading in another detection signal representing at least one other recognized type of items to be washed, which is or was taken in the dishwasher, wherein in step 210 setting another counter is set in response to the further detection signal, wherein the further counter is adapted to determine a further counted Spülgutanzahl the other identified type of the dishes, wherein in step 215 of Comparing the other counted number of items to be compared with another set number of items to be washed, wherein in step 220 outputting the control signal is output when, in the step of comparing the further counted number of items to be washed is in a predetermined ratio to the further set number of items to be washed.

In step 225 Upon receiving, the set number of items to be washed is received by a setting device of the dishwasher and / or an interface to an external device.

In step 230 of resetting, the counter is reset in response to a cleaning signal indicating a cleaning cycle of the dishwasher. According to this embodiment, in step 230 of resetting all in step 210 Reset set counter.

If an exemplary embodiment comprises a "and / or" link between a first feature and a second feature, then this is to be read so that the embodiment according to one embodiment, both the first feature and the second feature and according to another embodiment either only first feature or only the second feature.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 10048081 A1 [0003]
• DE 102015215984 A1 [0004]

Claims (10)

A method (200) of operating a dishwasher (100), the method (200) comprising the steps of: Reading (205) a recognition signal (110) representing at least one recognized type of wash item (115) received in the dishwasher (100); Setting (210) a counter (120) in response to the detection signal (110), the counter (120) being adapted to determine a counted number of items to be washed of the identified type of wash item (115); Comparing (215) the counted number of items to be washed with a set number of items to be washed; and Outputting (220) a control signal (130) adapted to effect a cleaning of the dishes (115) in the dishwasher (100) if in step (215) of comparing the counted number of items to be washed is in a predetermined ratio to the set one Number of dishes is available. Method (200) according to Claim 1 in which the detection signal (110) is read in in the step (205) of reading in which the type of washware (115) was detected using at least one camera (140, 145). Method (200) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a step (225) of receiving the set number of items to be washed by an adjustment device of the dishwasher (100) and / or an interface to an external device (165). A method (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein in step (215) of comparing the counted number of items is compared to the set number of items representing a total number of the type of items (115) and / or a number of users of the type of the items to be washed (115) and / or represents a fixed minimum number of the type of items to be washed (115). The method (200) of any one of the preceding claims, comprising a step (230) of resetting the counter (120) in response to a cleaning signal indicating a cleaning cycle of the dishwasher (100). Method (200) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in step (205) of the read-in, a further recognition signal is read in which represents at least one further recognized type of washware which is or has been taken into the dishwasher (100), wherein in step (210) setting a further counter in response to the further detection signal is set, wherein the further counter is adapted to determine a further counted Spülgutanzahl the other identified type of dishes, wherein in step (215) of the comparison, the further counted Spülgutanzahl is compared with another set of items to be washed, wherein in step (220) of the outputting the control signal (130) is output, if in step (215) of the comparison, the further counted items count is in a predetermined ratio to the further set items to be washed. Apparatus (105) adapted to perform the steps of the method (200) according to any one of Claims 1 to 6 in appropriate units (120, 125) to control and / or execute. Dishwasher (100) and / or camera (140, 145) with a device (105) according to Claim 7 , Dishwasher (100) according to Claim 8 with a camera device (140, 145) which is designed to detect a region (155, 160) lying outside a washing compartment (150) of the dishwasher (100) and / or with an automatic dosing device. Computer program product with program code for carrying out the method (200) according to one of Claims 1 to 6 when the computer program product is running on a device.

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