EP2757187A1 - Automatic washing machine with means for evaluating an RFID tag and method for operating such an automatic washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The washing machine (10) has a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader which is arranged at the outer side (12) of machine main housing. An electromagnet is provided for releasable support of RFID transponder token at the attachment location which is set in the detection area of the reader and proximity to a program selection switch (14). The information printed in the token is read by the reader, so that the washing program is selected by control action at program selection switch based on the read result. Independent claims are included for the following: (1) method for operation of washing machine; and (2) use of token for selecting washing program for washing laundry article by washing machine.

Description

The invention relates to a washing machine with means for evaluating an information contained tag, such as an RFID tag (RFID = Radio Frequency Identification) and in addition, a method for operating such a washing machine. The term RFID tag refers to the data available when activating an RFID transponder. In the following, such RFID transponders are sometimes only briefly referred to as transponders. RFID transponders and the use of RFID tags are known per se. One common application is the visible and invisible marking of merchandise in RFID tag sales shops to prevent theft.

The use of RFID tags is also already known in connection with washing machines.

In the WO 2006/009375 A a washing machine is described which has an RFID reader in its door unit, in order to obtain information about the laundry items in the drum of the washing machine, namely information about the water absorption by the respective item of laundry, by reading RFID tags combined with the laundry items and to adjust an amount of water for the respective washing process on this basis.

From the KR 10 2008 0060 806 A For example, a washing machine is known which has an RFID reader for reading out RFID tags connected to the items to be washed, and for this a circular antenna which is combined with the same according to the round shape of the door unit.

From the KR 10 2009 0076 722 A are a washing machine and a method of its operation is known, which also assumes that the laundry items are provided with an RFID tag. When reading out the RFID tags should be available in the application as "history information" information to customize the washing process.

Washing machines that evaluate the data of laundry tags attached to RFID tags are also from the JP 2005 211 214 A , of the JP 2002 360968 A and the KR 1995-0011598 known.

Having to provide laundry items with transponders of the type mentioned is complicated on the one hand and thus more expensive the laundry items. Furthermore, the acceptance of provided with transponders laundry items, for example, for data protection reasons, not yet clarified and finally must be considered that attached to laundry items transponders especially when washing a considerable wear and thus is questionable whether this over the entire useful life of each garment in the manner proposed in the prior art can be read.

An object of the present invention is therefore to provide a simple way new or modified programs for the operation of a washing machine.

According to the invention this object is achieved by a washing machine of the type mentioned, so a washing machine with means for evaluating an information contained tags, with the features of claim 1. It is provided that the washing machine comprises a reading device for the day, which is accessible on an outside or on an outside of the washing machine, in the sense that a reading of the information is possible, and that the washing machine means for releasably holding a tag has or in an attachment formed on the outside of the washing machine and located in the detection range of the reader.

In an expedient embodiment, the tag comprises a token for providing the information to an RFID transponder, a readable QR coding or an NFC-transferable data coding. The codes can be reliably stored by simple means and safely transmitted to the control device of the washing machine. In the following, the execution of the tag with an RFID transponder will be explained mainly, but the individual possibilities and functions are to be assumed and / or used in the same way for tags with QR coding or NFC transmission means.

For a simple linguistic representation, not only the respective transponder itself but also an object with such a transponder are referred to here and below as an RFID transponder or transponder for short. The transponder is a basically known per se RFID transponder. The combination of the transponder with the respective article is obtained by the article comprising such a transponder, or by the transponder is attached to the article in an otherwise suitable manner, for example by gluing. Such an article is, for example, a disk-shaped article in the manner of a coin, a token or token or the like. In such a disk-shaped object is especially an embedding of the transponder in the material from which the object is made, so for example plastic, into consideration. Without renouncing further generality, in the following such an object with an RFID transponder is referred to as a token and a plurality of such objects as a token. Furthermore, the term token is then also used as if the token comprises data, since this refers to the fact that data, namely the respective RFID tag, can be retrieved from the transponder included in the token in a manner known per se , so that thus - at least indirectly - the token comprises data, the token is readable and the token data is retrievable and retrieved during operation.

With these terms, the invention is thus a washing machine, which has a reader for a transponder encompassed by a token for retrieving a stored there RFID tag. The reading device is accessible on an outside or on an outside of the washing machine, in the sense that it is possible to read out the transponder covered by the token. In order to facilitate the reading of the token, the washing machine comprises means for releasably holding the token on or in a mounting location for the token formed on the outside of the washing machine and located in the detection range of the reader.

In short, the invention proposes to read out a transponder presented on an outside of the washing machine with the reading device included in the washing machine and to use the data thus obtained for a selection or adaptation of a washing program that can be carried out by the washing machine. The user uses a token to indicate a filling of the washing drum comprised of the washing machine in a manner known per se with a particular item of laundry or a certain type of items of laundry. The user presents the token on the outside of the washing machine by placing the token at the mounting location or at least temporarily holding it in the area of the mounting location. If the user has a plurality of different tokens, the washing machine can each be signaled by using a token each type of laundry, so that in this way a suitable for the particular laundry items selection or adjustment of a wash program is possible.

As is known, there is a widespread possibility for selecting different washing programs in automatic washing machines in that a washing program is selected via a program selector switch encompassed by the washing machine. Both the type and the number of selectable washing programs but is fixed and is set during the production of each washing machine. Thus, there is usually no way to add extra washing programs to the washing machine or to modify existing washing programs.

With the approach proposed here, it is possible to be able to use a basically unlimited number of washing programs with a washing machine, since the data stored on a respective token describe either a washing program or a modification of an existing washing program. If a washing program as a sequence of executable by the washing machine actions, so for example, water inlet to the washing drum, rotation of the washing drum at a predetermined speed, heating the incoming in the washing drum or in the washing drum water and pumping of the washing drum In the simplest way, a wash program may be implemented as a series of selections of individual such actions along with individual parameters, such as a duration, an amount of water, a drum speed, or a water temperature. The data stored on a token may include such or similar parameters and thus, for example, for a particular type of laundry, adjust a duration of a wash and / or a water temperature. The data stored on a token may also include a complete washing program in the manner outlined above, namely a specification of a sequence of actions executable by the washing machine with individual parameters specifying the particular action, for example parameters for specifying a duration of a prewash cycle , a duration of a main wash and the respective water temperatures and / or water quantities.

As an attachment location of a token formed on an outer side of a washing machine, for example, a depression placed on the respective shape of the token, for example a circular recess, into which the token can be inserted or in front of which the token is used as an aid for the best possible positioning of the token can be kept in the detection range of the reader. When referring to a well into which the token may be inserted, this not only or at least not necessarily means a well in which the token is planar to the surface of the mounting site in the inserted state, but also a depression containing the token only partially absorbs and counteracts a shift of the token on the surface of the environment of the mounting location. A detachable mounting of a token is also possible in a mounting location formed on the outside of the washing machine in the manner of a coin insertion or the like, as is known from vending machines or the like.

Advantageous embodiments and modifications of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims. Here used backlinks indicate the further development of the subject matter of the main claim by the features of the respective subclaim. They should not be construed as a waiver of obtaining independent, objective protection for the feature combinations of the dependent claims. Furthermore, with a view to an interpretation of the claims in a closer specification of a feature in a subordinate claim, it is to be assumed that such a restriction does not exist in the respective preceding claims.

As a means for releasably holding a token on or in an attachment formed on the outside of the washing machine come in the form of a trough or the like formed compartment, one or more locking means, but also a magnet into consideration. In a magnet as a means for releasably holding the token at the mounting location of the token is at least partially made of a ferromagnetic material or comprises ferromagnetic material. The user then places the token in the vicinity of the mounting location and the magnetic field from the magnet acts as a positioning aid for the attachment of the token at the mounting location and can also be designed to hold the token at the mounting location, so that the user is at the place of attachment remaining token can thus detect the mode of operation of the washing machine selected.

As a means for releasably holding a token at the mounting location is in a particular embodiment of the washing machine, an electromagnet into consideration. The electromagnet can be activated automatically if it is detected by a control unit of the washing machine monitoring the reading device that a token is located in the detection range of the reading device. The operation of the washing machine with such a token is thus practically experienced by the user by the washing machine quasi reacts to each presented token and this accepted as it were, when it is attracted by the magnetic field of the electromagnet. The activation of the electromagnet in response to a detection of a token in the detection range of the reader may additionally or alternatively also be used to display the user inappropriate tokens by an inappropriate token does not lead to an activation of the electromagnet and thus does not stick to the mounting location. The user experiences this immediately as a rejection of the presented token by the washing machine and the user can immediately recognize his mistake and select a suitable token instead of the rejected token.

For example, when the electromagnet is subject to different levels of current, a first, higher current may be used to cause a stronger magnetic field of the electromagnet, such that the magnetic field is better on the one hand as a positioning aid for the attachment of the token at the mounting location and on the other hand the token during the duration of the selected or modified washing program is securely adhered to the place of installation. If, after the completion of each washing program, the electromagnet is charged with a second, lower current, then a lower one To cause magnetic field of the electromagnet, then the token at the mounting location is particularly easy to remove. However, due to the residual, albeit reduced magnetic field, there is no danger of the token inadvertently becoming detached at the mounting location, thus falling down and correspondingly being lost.

In one embodiment of the washing machine is provided that the mounting location is in spatial proximity to a program selector switch of the washing machine and is associated with a discrete position of the program selector switch. The possibility of using a token is thus integrated directly into the operating concept of the washing machine familiar to the user, and the use of a token can be recognized by the user as an option that can be selected using the program selection switch. If the user has a plurality of tokens, it is expected that the user will more frequently use the program toggle selectable use of a particular token, thereby recognizing and utilizing the tokens as an extension to the washing programs offered by the washing machine at the time of delivery.

In one embodiment of the washing machine, it may be provided that a control unit comprised by the washing machine recognizes a presentation or an attachment of a token at the place of installation and evaluates this as a selection of a washing program with the data stored on the token. Alternatively, it can also be provided that the reading device for reading the token as well as the readout of the token - or only the reading of the token in an otherwise permanently activated reading device - can be activated by a corresponding position of the program selection switch. If the presentation or attachment of the token is already interpreted as selecting a wash program, the user can select a wash program with a single operator action, namely the presentation or attachment of the token. If the reading of the token and / or the activation of the reader still depends on an operating action on the program selector switch, the user has the option of checking the token used and the type of washing program selected with it, and the selection of the washing program by the operating action on the Finally, confirm program selector switch. Although the activation of the reader depends on the position of the program selector, it is possible to activate the reader only as needed.

In a particular embodiment of a washing machine as described here and below, it is provided that the washing machine has, for example in the form of one or more lighting means, means for visualizing a retrieval of data from a token. Such a visualization of a retrieval of data is provided by the user as feedback understood the control unit of the washing machine and signals the user that the data held on the token data for the start or already running wash program can be used.

If such a light source can be controlled in a second mode when the token is attached to the mounting location in a first operating mode and when retrieving data from the token, optical feedback to the user is possible, for example, with colored tokens, in which the light source in the color of Token is controlled so that the user can immediately recognize that the token was recognized correctly. When retrieving data from the token for a selection or adaptation of a washing program then a control of the light source in a second mode is possible, in which the light source is controlled, for example, that results in a pulsating effect for the resulting luminous intensity of the light bulb, or in that the illuminant is driven with a predetermined or predefinable signal sequence, for example long and short pulses, so as to visualize the transfer of data from the token to the control unit of the washing machine. The signal sequence can result from the data stored on the token, for example such that the signal sequence in time-extended form represents the binary representation of the data stored on the token. Other possibilities for forming a signal sequence are, for example, Morse code or the like. For example, the name of the publisher or a short form of such a name may be stored on the tokens. Then, in the case of a token issued by the applicant of the description presented here, the following signal sequence can be used when retrieving data for driving the luminous means, wherein a "-" represents a long pulse and a "-" a short pulse: - ··· · - ···. The same applies analogously to names or other designations of other publishers of the tokens described here. It is of course not in the foreground that the user should be able to interpret the emitted light with the signal sequence, but only the fact that a specific to the token or a particular type of token signal sequence is output and at the same time retrieval of data is visualized by the token. With regard to the activation of the luminous means in the respective color of a colored token as optical feedback to the user that the token was recognized, it is to be noted that it is necessary for the data included in the token to include a date for coding its color, and the date and the actual color or at least the base color of the token match.

The above object is also achieved with a method for operating a washing machine of the type described here and below. In this case, it is provided that a token selected by a user is presented or attached at the mounting location and that the automatic washing machine with the reading device included therein receives data from the token and uses them for selection or adaptation of a washing program executable by the washing machine. The method is preferably implemented in software. The invention is thus on the one hand also a computer program with executable by a computer program code instructions for implementing the method, namely an executable by the control unit of the washing machine control program, and on the other hand, a storage medium with such a computer program and finally a washing machine with a control unit in the memory as Means for performing the method and its embodiments such a computer program is loaded or loadable.

For the execution of the method, it is assumed that the control unit comprises suitable means for making an adaptation of a washing program on the basis of the data retrieved from a respective presented token, for example by a parameter retrievable by the token for specifying a water temperature in a for setting the water temperature provided storage location is loaded and the contents of the storage location is used in the execution of the respective washing program for controlling or regulating the water temperature. If a token comprises a complete washing program, it is also assumed that the control unit comprises suitable means for loading the data retrieved from a respectively presented token into individual storage locations with which the actions to be carried out by the washing machine during the execution of the thus prescribed washing program are specified , and to load any additional parameters that define, for example, a duration of the individual actions, into corresponding memory locations. As such means are particularly program code means and a realized functionality of the control program into consideration.

An embodiment of the invention is shown purely schematically in the drawings and will be described in more detail below. Corresponding objects or elements are provided in all figures with the same reference numerals. The or each embodiment is not to be understood as limiting the invention. Rather, in the context of the present disclosure, changes and modifications are possible, in particular those variants, for example by combination or modification of individual in conjunction with the described in the general or specific description part and in the claims and / or the drawings features or method steps for those skilled in the art with regard to the solution of the problem can be removed and lead by combinable features to a new subject or to new process steps or process steps.

Figur 1

einen grundsätzlich an sich bekannten Waschautomaten,

Figur 2

einen Abschnitt eines Bedienpanels eines Waschautomaten mit einem Anbringungsort für ein Token mit Daten für eine Auswahl oder Anpassung eines Waschprogramms des Waschautomaten und

Figur 3

eine schematisch vereinfachte Darstellung von Funktionseinheiten zur Realisierung des hier beschriebenen Ansatzes, nämlich unter anderem ein Lesegerät zum Abruf von Daten von einem am Anbringungsort präsentierten Token.

An embodiment of the invention is shown purely schematically in the drawings and will be described in more detail below. Show it

FIG. 1

a basically known washing machine,

FIG. 2

a section of a control panel of a washing machine with a location for a token with data for a selection or adjustment of a washing program of the washing machine and

FIG. 3

a schematically simplified representation of functional units for implementing the approach described here, namely, inter alia, a reader for retrieving data from a token presented at the place of attachment.

FIG. 1 shows in a schematically simplified, isometric view of a washing machine 10 of a known type. The washing machine 10 comprises at least one outer panel 12 functioning as a control panel and there is a program selection switch 14 usually provided for selecting a washing program to be executed by the washing machine 10 in operation.

The representation in FIG. 2 shows a section of acting as a control panel outside 12 of the washing machine 10 according to FIG. 1 , Recognizable is the program selector switch 14, for which there are eight switching positions (five basic programs, one switching position for selecting a so-called smartphone and another, explained below with additional details switching position) are provided. The type and number of switching positions in addition to the other switching position is irrelevant and, accordingly, more or fewer and other switching positions may be provided.

In spatial proximity to the program selector switch 14 and a discrete position of the program selector switch 14, so assigned to the above-mentioned further switching position, there is a mounting location 16 for a here disc-shaped and correspondingly represented token 18, with an unillustrated RFID transponder (transponder) in suitable manner is combined, for example, such that the token 18 is made of a plastic and the transponder is embedded in this plastic.

In the illustration in FIG. 2 the washing machine comprises means for releasably holding the token 18 at the mounting location 16. The mounting location 16 is located on the surface of the control panel and thus on one or in the outer sides 12 of the washing machine 10th

Top right in the illustration in FIG. 2 For example, further tokens 18 are shown to illustrate that different tokens 18 may be sequentially attached at the attachment location 16 to thereby influence the washing program being executed or executed by the washing machine 10, respectively. By being brought by the operator of the program selector switch 14 in the mounting location 16 associated further switching position (ie in the situation according to FIG. 2 brought into a 3:00 o'clock position), a selection is made of the token 16 attached to the mounting location 16 and use of data stored on the token 18 for the specification or modification of a washing program executed or to be performed by the washing machine 10. To start such a wash program, the actuation of a start button 20 may still be provided.

Each token 18, more specifically the RFID tag retrievable by activating its transponder, includes information about a type of laundry and / or information about a particular type of laundry being treated by the washing machine 10, namely information about the washing temperature, spin speed, detergent quantity, amount of water to use, and so on. This results in the possibility of providing a washing program specific to the respective type of laundry or a modification of a washing program already included in the automatic washing machine 10 for the specific type of laundry. The user can thus select a token 18 for the initiation of a washing process, which he receives, for example, the purchase of certain laundry items from the manufacturer of the laundry, for example, laundry items in the form of functional clothing, to easily ensure that the purchased items in washed or washed and dried by the manufacturer of the linen. When the user attaches such a token 18 to the mounting location 16, the data comprised by the token 18 may be retrieved and used for a selection or adaptation of a washing program of the washing machine 10. The data included and retrievable by a token 18 optionally also includes data encoding a publisher of the token 18 and / or data encoding a washer type or a washer type series. With such data related to a washer type or a washer type series, the usage range of the token 18 can be specified and by checking such data by the respective washing machine 10, prevent the use of the data otherwise covered by the token 18 by the washing machine 10 from resulting in errors or the like ,

So that the user can distinguish a plurality of tokens 18, it is provided that they can be distinguished, for example, by a corresponding color or a corresponding surface structure. With regard to the surface structure of such tokens 18, not only is a generic surface structure such as smooth or rough and the like come into consideration, but it is also contemplated that the token 18 comprises an iconographic representation of the item of laundry to which the token belongs and / or that the token 18 in textual or pictorial form has the name or logo of the manufacturer of the particular item of laundry. For such a surface structure or as an alternative to a surface structure coding the intended use, coloring of the tokens 18 is possible. Here can be provided, for example, that different colors or different primary colors indicate different uses of the items of laundry, for example a color for casual wear, a color for sports or functional clothing and so on.

For the manufacturer of automatic washing machines 10, this gives rise to the possibility of continuously expanding or adapting the functional scope of the automatic washing machine 10, namely the scope of the washing programs executable by the automatic washing machine 10, even after it has been delivered, without requiring a modification of the automatic washing machine 10 itself , The automatic washing machine 10 and the washing programs that can be carried out by the automatic washing machine 10 can in this way be adapted continuously to new types of laundry or new methods of treatment of such types of laundry. For garment manufacturers, it is possible to provide their customers with a machine-readable washing instruction which is therefore interpretable by the automatic washing machine 10 and in this way to ensure that the respective item of laundry or laundry is washed or washed in the manner intended by the manufacturer and be dried in order to ensure in this way for a long-lasting satisfaction of the customer with the purchased or the laundry items.

The representation in FIG. 3 1 shows a token 16 located at the mounting location 16 and a washing machine 10 (not shown) anymore (FIG. FIG. 1 ) Reader 22 (RFID reader), which is in the washing machine 10, namely behind the respective outer side 12, positioned and oriented so that the mounting location 16 is in the detection range of the reader 22. The semicircular arcs, which are turned to the right and to the left, are intended to represent wave fronts of electromagnetic waves which result when the token 18 is read out. The right-facing block arrow illustrates the electromagnetic energy emitted by the reader 22 into the transponder coupled to the token 18, and the left-facing block arrow illustrates that as a result of such energy injection from the token 18, namely from the transponder encompassed by the token 18 , output data received from the reader 22. The entire procedure, known per se apart from the use of a token 18 of the type described here, causes a readout of the transponder and of the RFID tag held there, and is here and hereinafter referred to briefly as readout of the token 18.

The activation of the reading device 22 takes place under the control of a control unit 24. The control unit 24 is a control unit 24 which is extended in its functionality but otherwise known per se, as is conventionally included in a washing machine 10. The control unit 24 comprises, for example, in a manner not shown, a processing unit in the form of or in the manner of a microprocessor and a memory in which a control program 26 is loaded, which is executed during operation of the washing machine 10 by the processing unit of the control unit 24 and thus determines the functionality of the washing machine 10. The control unit 24 evaluates, for example, the switching position of the program selector switch 14.

The reader 22 may be permanently active or by a position of the program selector switch 14, namely its positioning in the further switching position ( FIG. 2 ), to be activated. If a token 18 is within the detection range of the reader 22, the token 18 can be read out as outlined above. In this case, it is optionally possible to check on the basis of the received data whether it is a token 18 approved for use with the washing machine 10. Such a test avoids errors in the operation of the washing machine 10, but for example, the use of a non-specific to the respective washing machine 10 tokens 18 and thus, for example, a non-supported by the washing machine 10 drum speed.

When the user attaches a token 18 to the attachment location 16 or brings a token 18 near the attachment location 16, this is collectively referred to as presentation of the token 18 (the token 18 is presented to the launder 10 or its reader 22 and the reader 22 can read the token 18). For attaching a token 18 at the mounting location 16, the washing machine 10 comprises the aforementioned means for releasably holding the token 18 at the mounting location 16. An example of such means is a permanent magnet (not shown) located on the outside 12 of the washing machine 10 , at or in which the mounting location 16 is formed and there behind the mounting location 16 (ie inside the washing machine 10). Then, a releasable mounting of a made of a ferromagnetic material or ferromagnetic material containing token 18 is possible. Alternatively or additionally comes as a means for releasably holding the token 18 and a locking connection or a trough-shaped ausgestalteter mounting location 16 into consideration.

In FIG. 3 an embodiment of the washing machine 10 is shown, in which this comprises as a means for releasably holding the token 18, an electromagnet 28. The electromagnet 28 is thereby positioned and oriented in the interior of the washing machine 10 (in FIG. 3 not shown in detail), that its magnetic field resulting from current flow detects a token 18 located at the mounting location 16 and is adapted to releasably hold the token 18 at the mounting location 16. The solenoid 28 is activated by the control unit 24 of the washing machine 10, for example, such that the electromagnet 28 is traversed by an electric current as soon as the washing machine 10 is turned on according to a switching position of the program selector switch 14 or such that the Electromagnet 28 is traversed by an electric current as soon as a token 18 is in the detection range of the reader 22.

The use of a permanent magnet or of an electromagnet 28 has the advantage that the respective magnetic field attracts a token 18 made of a ferromagnetic material or containing ferromagnetic material, and thus the magnetic field also acts as a positioning aid for the attachment of the token 18 at the mounting location 16. In the case of an electromagnet 28, there is also the advantage that the data read out from the respective token 18 can be taken into account for its activation and thus for the activation of the magnetic field, so that an active connection can be realized by a corresponding functionality of the control unit 24 such that Only for the respective washing machine 10 approved tokens 18 (recognizable by the deposited on the token 18 data) are attracted to the mounting location 16 and stick to the mounting location 16. Furthermore, in the case of an electromagnet 28 it is possible to apply different current intensities to it under control of the control unit 24 in order to produce magnetic fields of different intensity. This may be exploited to maintain an approved token 18 at the mounting location 16 during the course of a predetermined or modified wash program (greater current, stronger magnetic field) and to facilitate removal of the token 18 at the mounting location 16 (lower current level) upon completion of the wash program , weaker magnetic field).

At an in FIG. 3 likewise schematically illustrated simplified optional embodiment, the washing machine 10 comprises means for visualizing a retrieval of data from a displayed or attached to the mounting location 16 tokens 18. As a means of visualization is a lighting means 30 or a combination of several bulbs 30 into consideration. The illuminant (s) 30 is / are driven under control of the control unit 24 in retrieving data from a token 18 for visualization of that retrieval, for example by alternately driving the illuminant (s) 30 to produce a pulsating or flashing glowing effect. In a particular embodiment, it can be provided that the lighting means 30 are, for example, three light sources 30 in the form of LEDs or the like, which emit light in respectively different wavelength ranges, so that a suitable control of all light sources 30 to form an optical mixture of the each radiated colors results in the result and different colors are available. Then, for example, if the data stored on the token 18 also directly or indirectly include a coding of the color or the base color of the respective token 18, then the illumination means 30 are activated in such a way that the illumination means 30 produce a color effect which corresponds to the color or color the basic color of each token 18 corresponds. The user interprets such an effect as correct recognition of the presented token 18. The already mentioned visual Perceptible effects, that is to say a signal sequence and a colored luminous effect, can also be combined with one another in a basically arbitrary manner, for example in such a way that, when a token 18 is presented, the or each illuminant 30 is activated in a first operating mode and the token is recognized 18 by a colored light effect, in particular a color or base color of the token 18 matching colored light effect is signaled, and that subsequently at a retrieval of a washing program or a modification of a washing program performing data at the token 18, the or each light source 30 in a second Operating mode for displaying a signal sequence is controlled.

For the attachment of the or each illuminant 30 comes in a manner not shown an attachment into consideration, in which the or each illuminant 30 surrounds the mounting location 16 in a circle. For this purpose, the or each illuminant 30 can also be combined with one or more light guides in a manner known per se, so that in this way the respectively emitted light reaches the outside 12 of the washing machine 10 and the respectively desired geometry results, for example a circular, the mounting location 16 enclosing geometry.

The invention relates to a washing machine 10 with means for evaluating an RFID tag and allows the use of a combined with an RFID transponder token 18, which on one at a Outside 12 of the washing machine 10 formed attachment location 16 is presented or attached and there readable by the washing machine 10 and with a program selector switch 14 is selectable.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

washing machine

12

Outside (of the washing machine)

14

Program switch

16

mounting location

18

token

20

start button

22

reader

24

control unit

26

control program

28

electromagnet

30

Lamp

Claims (15)

Automatic washing machine (10) having an information tag reader (22) accessible on or via an outside (12) of the washing machine (10) and means (28) for releasably holding a token (18) comprising a program, parameter or care information on or in an attachment location (16) formed on the outside (12) of the washing machine (10) and located in the detection area of the reading device (22). A washing machine (10) according to claim 1, wherein the tag comprises a token for providing the information to an RFID transponder, a readable QR code or an NFC portable data encoding. A washing machine (10) according to claim 1, comprising a magnet (28) as means for releasably holding a token (18). Automatic washing machine (10) according to claim 1 or 2, having an electromagnet (28), in particular an electromagnet (28) which can be acted upon by different current intensities, as means for releasably holding a token (18). Washing machine (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the mounting location (16) in spatial proximity to a program selector switch (14) of the washing machine (10) and is associated with a discrete position of the program selector switch (14). Washing machine (10) according to claim 4, wherein the reading device (22) and the readout of the token (18) can be activated by a corresponding positioning of the program selection switch (14). A washing machine (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, including means (30) for visualizing retrieval of data from a token (18). A washing machine (10) according to claim 6, wherein a lighting means (30), in particular a mounting means (16) enclosing circular illuminating means (30) when attaching the token (18) at the mounting location (16) in a first mode and the retrieval of data from the token (18) is controllable in a second mode. A method of operating a washing machine (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a user selects a token (18) and attaches it to the mounting location (16) and wherein the washing machine (10) collects data from the reader (22) included therein retrieves from the token (18) and uses it for a selection or adaptation of a washing program. Token (18) with an RFID transponder included or combined therewith for use with a washing machine (10) according to one of claims 1 to 7 or for use in the context of a method according to claim 8. Token (18) according to claim 9, wherein the RFID transponder information on a type of laundry, to a washing temperature, to a spin speed, to a detergent amount and / or to a quantity of water. Token (18) according to claim 9 or 10, having a color or base color indicative of the type of laundry and / or a surface structure indicative of the type of laundry. Token (18) according to claim 9, 10 or 11, having a color or base color indicative of the publisher of the token (18) and / or a surface structure indicative of the publisher of the token (18). Use of a token (18) according to any one of claims 9 to 12 for coding a treatment of a laundry item or a group of laundry items by a washing machine (10). A disc-shaped device comprising an RFID transponder included or combined therewith, comprising data for treating an associated item of laundry or an associated group of items of laundry, for use as a token (18) with a washing machine (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7 or Use as a token (18) in the context of a method according to claim 8.

Images