ES2924888T3 - Load Sensing Dishwashers - Google Patents

Abstract

A dishwasher (1) is described, comprising: an optical unit (2) which is designed to record an image of a container for washing; and a computing unit that is designed to recognize at least one mark (4, 4a-4f) applied to the washing container based on the image of the washing container (3) recorded by the optical unit and, based on the al least one recognized mark, a load status of the To determine the crockery container with crockery, the computing unit (6) being designed to generate the determined loading status of the crockery container with crockery. Also described is a method of operating a dishwasher, the method comprising: taking an image of a washing container by means of an optical drive; based on the image of the laundry container recorded by the optical unit, recognizing at least one mark applied to the laundry container by means of a computer unit; on the basis of the at least one identified mark, determining a loading status of the crockery container with crockery by means of the computing unit; and outputting the determined status of the loading of the crockery container with crockery by means of the computer unit. (Automatic translation with Google Translate, without legal value)

Description

DESCRIPTION

Load Sensing Dishwashers

Technical field of the invention

The present invention relates to a dishwasher and a corresponding method of operating a dishwasher.

Background of the invention

In dishwashers, dishes are usually cleaned with a rinse solution and then rinsed with clean fresh water. Depending on the type of construction, a distinction is made between transport dishwashers (basket or belt transport machines), hood type dishwashers and automatic program machines.

Dishwashers usually have a treatment area where the dishes are exposed to water and detergent, as well as an area for loading the dishwasher with the dishes, where this area for loading the dishes generally comprises a curtain or a door in in the case of a transport dishwasher, a hood in the case of a hood dishwasher and a door in the case of an automatic program machine, through which the crockery is introduced into the treatment zone.

In order to apply the rinsing liquid to the items to be cleaned, the dishwasher has a spray device, such as spray nozzles, in the treatment area.

To load the dishwasher with the articles to be washed, containers for the articles to be washed are generally used, such as, for example, rinse baskets, which can be removed from the dishwasher or from the treatment area by the user. .

In particular, for reasons of environmental protection and economical use of resources, these dishwashers are increasingly demanded. In addition to operating parameters such as rinsing liquid temperature, caustic solution ratio, rinsing mechanism and contact time, the rinsing result largely depends on the dirtiness of the rinsing water, which is introduced into the dishwasher for dirty dishes.

In existing systems, energy, clean water, and detergent are often wasted by rinsing incompletely loaded wash containers, especially in the same manner as fully loaded wash containers.

US 2012/138092 A1 describes an automatic dishwasher and a method of controlling the operation of the automatic dishwasher, including an image capture device that repeatedly captures images of a subsection of a washing chamber while a dish rack is moved from a loading position to a use position. The repeated acquisition of images is synchronized with the movement of the dish rack, and the areas of the dish rack where there are dishes are determined from the repeatedly acquired images.

Summary of the invention

Therefore, one of the tasks of the present invention is to provide a dishwasher that saves as many resources as possible while maintaining a good dishwashing result and, at the same time, offers a high level of reliability and ease of operation.

This task is solved by a dishwasher according to claim 1 and a method of operating said dishwasher according to claim 11. Claims 2 to 10 and 12 to 14 refer to particularly advantageous embodiments.

The invention solves this problem because the dishwasher according to the invention comprises: an optical unit designed to capture an image of a container of washing products; and a calculation unit designed to detect at least one mark attached to the washing product container based on the image of the washing product container captured by the optical unit and to determine a loading state of the washing product container with products based on the at least one detected mark, wherein the calculating unit is designed to output the determined load status of the washing product container with washing products.

The invention solves this problem in that the method according to the invention for operating a dishwasher comprises the following: taking an image of a washing container by means of an optical unit; based on the image of the washing container taken by the optical unit, detecting at least one mark applied to the washing container by means of a calculation unit; based on the at least one detected mark, determining a loading status of the washing container with the washing material by means of the calculation unit; and outputting the determined state of charge of the washing container with the washing material by means of the calculation unit.

This dishwasher according to the invention and the method according to the invention can each improve the program sequence in the dishwasher ecologically and economically and simplify the operation for the staff washing. In particular, incompletely loaded washing article containers can be prevented from being put into the dishwasher or incompletely loaded washing article containers being washed in the same way as fully loaded washing article containers. By determining the load status of the washing container, it is possible to react to the still free capacities in the washing container in such a way that the resources required by the dishwasher are used optimally and thus a better supply can be provided. money-saving laundering operation. The fact that at least one mark affixed to the washing container is recognized on the basis of the image of the washing container recorded by the optical unit and that the load status of the washing container is determined on the basis of the mark recognized additionally provides the advantages of easy integrability and a high level of system maintenance freedom, while also providing high benefits for the ecology and economics of the overall system. Furthermore, the fact that the state of the load in the wash container is determined by means of markings affixed to the wash container means that the calculation unit of the dishwasher does not have to show any items to be washed and therefore the determination of the state of the load in the washing container is robust in relation to changes in the items to be washed and their arrangement in the washing container.

These and other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of other preferred embodiments.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1 shows a schematic functional diagram of a dishwasher showing its essential components, and some optional components, and their interaction.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of the possible designs of the markings on the washing container and the type indicator on the washing container.

Fig. 3 shows an exemplary arrangement of type markings and indicators on the washing container.

Fig. 4A, 4B and 4C show where and how the optical unit can be arranged in relation to the washing container and the treatment zone by means of a hood type dishwasher.

Fig. 5 shows a flow diagram indicating the essential and optional operations of the method according to the invention.

Detailed description

Figure 1 shows a schematic functional diagram of a dishwasher 1 showing its essential components, and also some optional components by broken lines, and their interaction.

The dishwasher 1 can be designed, for example, as a transport dishwasher, a hood dishwasher or as an automatic program machine. The dishwasher 1 comprises an optical unit 2, which is designed to record an image of a container 3 of washing articles; and a calculating unit 6 which is designed to recognize at least one mark 4 attached to the washing article container 3 on the basis of the image of the washing article container 3 recorded by the optical unit 2 and to determine a state of loading of the washing article container 3 with the washing articles 14 on the basis of the recognized mark 4, the calculation unit 6 being designed to output the determined state of charge of the washing article container 3 with the washing articles 14 (exit 13).

It may further comprise an optional control unit 7, which is designed to select a washing program and/or a value of one or more operating parameters of the dishwasher 1, which are adapted to the determined state of the load of the washing container 3 washing articles, on the basis of the determined state of the loading of the washing article container 3 with the washing articles 14 issued by the calculation unit 6. Alternatively or additionally, the dishwasher 1 may further comprise an optional display device 8 on which the determined state of loading of the washing article container 3 with laundry 14 output by the calculating unit 6 is graphically displayed. In response, the user can make a user input 9 through the display device 8, which causes a corresponding adjustment of one or more operating parameters of the dishwasher 1. These optional means 7 and 8 of the dishwasher 1 can thus improve the sequence of programs in the dishwasher in an ecological and economical way, maintaining a simple operation for the washing staff.

In particular, the display device 8 can prevent incompletely loaded washing article containers 3 from being put into the dishwasher 1. For example, the display device 8 may graphically highlight to the user the sections of the wash item container 3 that are not fully occupied by the wash items 14 (such as the unoccupied sections 15 in Figure 3), so that the user can increase and optimize the load of the washing article container 3 with the washing articles 14 in a selective way and thus contribute to the ecology and economy of the dishwasher 1.

In addition, the control unit 7 can adjust - automatically or by activation by the user input 9 - the operating parameters of the dishwasher 1 to the actual state of load of the item container 3 with the washing items 14 based on the outlet 13, so that the ecology and economy of the dishwasher 1 is also improved.

The display device 8 may, for example, be designed to graphically display the selected rinsing program and/or the selected value of one or more operating parameters. The display device 8 may also be designed, for example, to receive an input 9 from a user and the control unit 7 may be designed, based on the input 9 received, to change the selected washing program and/or value. selected from one or more dishwasher operating parameters.

For example, in a first step, an already predefined program could be selected. The user can then switch between the washing programs based on the output 13, for example, between the glasses and dishes program, using the user input 9. In addition, the operating parameters in the "Sinner's circle" of the programs Individual wash items could then be changed in the background to perform an even better adaptation to the loading status of the wash item container 3 with the wash items 14 . Sinner's circle contains the four segments of time, chemistry, temperature, and mechanics.

The dishwasher 1 shown in Figure 1 may comprise one or more treatment zones 11 with dispensing nozzles 12 located therein.

The one or more operating parameters (eg, of Sinner's circle) may comprise, individually or in any combination, from the following list: a nozzle pressure at the dispensing nozzles 12, a volumetric flow rate of cleaning fluid used by the dishwasher 1 for rinsing the washing articles 14, a distribution of the rinse fluid sprayed within one of the one or more treatment zones 11, an amount of rinse fluid sprayed in a post-rinse zone, a temperature of the rinse fluid sprayed at the dispensing nozzles 12, a dosage of a washing cleaning agent within the washing liquid sprayed at the dispensing nozzles 12, a speed of a conveyor belt that transports the washing articles through one of the one or more zones 11 of treatment of the dishwasher 1 and/or an action time of a washing liquid sprayed through the dispensing nozzles 12 on the articles 14 located in the container 3 of washing articles. The one or more operating parameters are selected so as to improve the program sequence in the dishwasher and, in particular, to optimally use the resources (energy, water, chemicals) required by the dishwasher and therefore Therefore, a washing operation can be provided which is specifically adapted to the loading state of the washing article container and thus saves resources.

In addition to these advantages in the field of ecology and economy, there are also others in the field of data processing. The described calculation unit 6 is designed to determine the state of loading of the washing article container 3 with the washing articles 14 without using a comparison of the image of the washing article container 3 taken by the optical unit 2 with a stored reference image. Such a comparison would place a relatively heavy load on the calculation unit 6 with calculation operations (eg pixel-by-pixel comparison of the captured image and the reference image). The calculating unit 6, on the other hand, is designed to determine a number of at least one detected mark 4 fixed on the washing article container 3 within the image of the washing article container 3 recorded by the optical unit 2 and to determine the state of loading of the washing article container 3 with the washing articles 14 on the basis of this determined number of marks 4. The number of at least one mark 4 detected on the washing article container 3 within the image of the washing article container 3 taken by the optical unit 2 can thus be determined using common algorithms for pattern recognition. The calculation unit 6 can execute said algorithm on the captured image to determine the number of marks contained in the image. The calculation unit 6 may be designed to determine the state of charge of the washing article container 3 with the washing articles 14 by comparing this determined number of marks 4 with a stored reference value. The stored reference value may correspond to a wash item container 3 that is not loaded with wash items 14 . The stored reference value may indicate a total number of one or more marks 4 attached to the washing article container 3, which are fully visible to the optical unit 2 in the case of a washing article container 3 unloaded from articles 14 of washed.

The calculating unit 6 may also be designed to recognize one or more optional type indicators 5 attached to the washing container on the basis of the image of the washing article container 3 recorded by the optical unit 2 and to determine a type of washing article container 3 on the basis of one or more recognized type indicators 5, wherein the calculating unit 6 is also designed to read the stored reference value associated with the given type of washing article container 3 from a optional storage medium 10 . In this way, the dishwasher 1 can respond optimally in each case to different types of washing article container 3, the number of possible types of washing article container 3 being small compared to the number of possible types of articles 14 and their possible arrangement in the container 3 of washing articles, so that a high degree of reliability can be provided with a high degree of flexibility in determining a total number of one or more marks 4 that are applied to the container 3 of washing articles and which would be fully visible to the optical unit 2 in the case of a washing article container 3 which is not loaded with washing articles 14 . Partially visible markings 4 mark the occupied sections in the washing article container 3 .

The image can be two-dimensional. The optical unit 2 may comprise or be a camera. The optical unit 2 can be mounted on a loading area of the dishwasher 1 with the washing articles 14. As shown by the dashed line in Figure 1, the optical unit 2 can be mounted inside or outside the dishwasher 1. The optical unit 2 can be mounted outside the dishwasher 1 on a cantilever arm 2a or directly on the casing or on a dishwasher door 1. In the case of a hood type dishwasher, the optical unit 2 may be attached directly to the outside of the hood. In the case of a transport dishwasher, there may be a means of fixing the optical unit 2 above the loading area. In the case of an automatic program machine with one door, the optical unit 2 may be fixed at the top, above the door, and the optical unit 2 is then directed downwards at an angle to the side of the door.

The calculation unit 6 may be adapted to filter or post-process the image of the washing article container 3 captured by the optical unit 2 and detect the at least one mark 4 fixed on the washing article container 3 in the filtered or post-processed image. . This filtering or post-processing may include, for example, one or more of edge adjustments, contrast modification, or artifact removal. In addition, the dishwasher 1 may comprise a light source (for example, the light source 20 in Figures 4A, 4B, 4C) which illuminates the container of the washing article and therefore the optical unit 2 detects the light. reflected or transmitted from the at least one mark 4 and type indicator 5 from the light source.

Figures 2 and 3 show schematic representations of various possibilities 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, 4e and 4f of the design of the markings 4 on the wash item container 3 and an example representation of the type indicator 5 on the container 3 of washing articles, as well as exemplary arrangements of the markings 4 and the type indicators 5 on the container 3 of washing articles.

The at least one mark 4 fixed on the washing article container 3 may be fixed to the bottom or to a wall of the washing article container 3 . The one or more type indicators 5 fixed on the washing article container 3 may be fixed at a place (for example, on the edge) of the washing article container 3 where the type indicators 5 are fully visible to the user. optical unit 2, regardless of the state of charge of the container 3 of washing articles. Both the marking 4 in the case of an unloaded section 15 and the type indicator 5 must be positioned so that they can be detected by the optical unit 2 from above or below.

The at least one marking 4 fixed on the washing article container 3 may differ from the type indicators 5 fixed on the washing article container 3 in terms of colour, shape and/or material.

The calculation unit 6 knows the number and the design of the markings 4 placed on the container 3 of washing articles. Thus, the recorded image is searched by these marks 4 and any type flags 5 after any processing. In this way, the respective degree of loading of the washing article container 3 can be determined on the basis of the counted characteristics 4 .

As shown in Figure 3, a plurality of markings 4 may be provided on the washing article container 3, wherein the washing article container 3 comprises a plurality of sections 15 for receiving the washing articles 14, one of the plurality of marks 4 is provided on each of the sections 15, and the plurality of marks 4 on the washing article container 3 comprises the at least one mark 4 detected by the calculation unit 6. The detected state of loading of the washing article container 3 with the washing articles 14 may comprise a degree of loading of the washing article container 3 with the washing articles 14.

The marks 4 made on the washing article container 3 can no longer be detected by the optical system, in particular by the optical unit 2, when the washing container 14 is occupied. These markings then indicate that this place or section 15 in the laundry item container 3 is "occupied". In other words, one or more marks 4 are attached to the washing article container 3 comprising the detected mark 4 attached to the washing article container 3, wherein the one or more marks 4 attached to the washing article container 3 are designed to cease to be fully visible to the optical unit 2 when the wash item bin 3 is occupied with the wash items 14 and thus mark a section 15 of the wash item bin 3 as occupied. These markings 4 can be designed in a variety of shapes, colors and materials, each with different optical properties, and can be permanently affixed to the base or sidewall of the washware container 3, or installed retrospectively. For example, the sections 15 of the washing article container 3 intended for the glasses may be provided with round features 4c, 4f, the sections 15 of the washing article container 3 intended for the dishes may be provided with triangular markings 4a, 4d. and the sections 15 of the washing article container 3 intended for the small articles may be provided with square features 4b, 4e. The markings in the different sections 15 may differ in size, colour, shape and orientation. In Figure 2, some examples of different shapes and sizes are shown. For example, the triangle 4a, 4d can be used for a section 15 of the washing article container 3 intended for flat and deep dishes. If triangle 4d is detected to be rotated by 90°, then the system assumes, for example, that section 15 of washware container 3 is loaded with soup plates. A large 4c circle could be used for wine glasses. In the case of glasses, the detection of the mark 4 can be of such a nature that even when the glasses are transparent, there is a distinction that can be noticed by the calculation unit 6 . This can be achieved, for example, by different optical properties, such as refraction, reflection or absorption of light (eg from the light source 20). A simple example would be that, due to optical refraction, the mark 4, 4c, 4f would change in such a way that it could no longer be recognized with total precision by the calculation unit 6. The mark 4, at least, placed on the washing article container 3, detected by the calculation unit 6, can be completely visible to the optical unit 2.

The calculating unit 6 may be designed to determine a number, an area, a size, a shape or a color of the marks 4, 4a-4f detected on the washing article container 3 within the image of the article container 3 recorded by the optical unit 2 and to determine the loading status of the washing article container 3 with the washing articles 14 based on the determined number, area, size, shape or color. The calculation unit 6 may be designed to determine the load status of the washing article container 3 with washing articles 14 by comparing a specific number, area, size, shape or color with a stored reference.

As already mentioned, the type indicators 5 can be fixed on each washing article container 3 in addition to the marks 4 on the washing article container 3, so that they can always be recognized by the calculation unit 6 . In this way, the calculation unit 6 recognizes what type of washing article container 3 it is, even if all the sections 15 of the washing article container 3 are fully occupied and, therefore, all the markings 4 on the container 3 of washing articles are covered.

A plurality of markings 4 may be attached to the wash item container 3, comprising at least one marking 4 attached to the washing item container 3, wherein the plurality of markings 4 comprise one or more markings 4 that are at least partially invisible to the optical drive 2. The marks 4 of the plurality of marks 4 which are at least partially invisible to the optical unit 2 cannot be detected by the computing unit 6. The at least one mark 4 detected by the calculation unit 6 may be located in a section 15 of the plurality of sections 15 of the washing article container 3 that is not loaded with washing articles 14 .

The calculation unit 6 may be designed to determine a number of the marks 4 detected on the washing article container 3 within the image of the washing article container 3 taken by the optical unit 2, and to determine the state of charge of the washing article container 3 with the washing articles 14 on the basis of this determined number, wherein the determined state of charge of the washing article container 3 with the washing articles comprises a degree of charge of the container 3 of washing articles with the washing articles and the degree of loading of the washing article container 3 with the washing articles 14 is determined by the calculation unit 6 by a comparison of this determined number with the stored number of the plurality of sections 15 of the washing article container 3 for receiving the washing articles 14.

As an alternative to the locally limited marks 4 shown in Figures 2 and a mark 4 which extends over a wider area, for example over several sections 15, may also be used. The calculation unit 6 may then be configured to determine an area of such detected mark 4 fixed on the washing article container 3 within the image of the washing article container 3 captured by the optical unit 2, and to determine the loading state of the washing article container 3 with the washing articles 14 based on a comparison of this determined area with a total area of the mark 4 affixed to the washing article container 3 stored in the storage means 10. In other words, a single continuous marking zone 4 can alternatively be applied to the bottom of the washing article container 3 and the state of charge can be determined on the basis of the zone still visible to the optical unit 2.

However, the shapes shown here for the type mark 4 and type indicator 5 are only examples that do not limit the claimed type marks and indicators, since other shapes for the type mark 4 and type indicator 5 can also be used.

Figures 4A, 4B, 4C show where and how the optical unit 2 can be arranged in relation to the washing article container 3 and the treatment zone 11 by a hood dishwasher 1.

An area 30 for loading the dishwasher 1 with washing articles 14 may be located on the side of the hood dishwasher 1 . From this loading zone 30, the container 3 for washing articles is introduced into the dishwasher 1, in particular in the treatment zone 11. The washing article container 3 can be introduced into the dishwasher 1 or treatment zone 11 manually or by means of an automatic guiding device which is not shown here.

The optical unit 2 is fixed to the outside of the dishwasher 1. An optional cantilever arm 2a can be fixed to the outside of the dishwasher 1 and present the optical unit 2. The optical unit 2 may be a camera. The optical unit 2 is arranged outside the dishwasher 1 so that it can receive reflected or transmitted light from the marking 4 and type indicators 5. As shown in Figures 4A, 4B, 4C, the optical unit 2 can be arranged outside the dishwasher 1 by means of the cantilevered arm 2a, in such a way that the optical unit 2 is arranged above the loading area 30 and, therefore, above the washing article container 3 during the loading process. The optical unit 2 then picks up the mark 4 and the optional type indicator 5 from above.

Furthermore, the dishwasher 1 may include a light source 20. For example, the light source 20 may be located below the loading area 30, as shown in Figures 4A, 4B, and may illuminate the mark 4 and type indicator 5 from below, so that the unit 2 optic receives the light transmitted from the 4 mark and the 5 indicators of Type. Alternatively, the light source 20 can be arranged on the cantilevered arm 2a (above the loading area 30), as shown in Figures 4A, 4C, so that the optical unit 2 receives, for example, the light from the light source 20 reflected from the markings 4 and the type indicators 5. The arrangement of the light source 20 on the cantilever arm 2a has the advantage that the optical alignment of the optical unit 2 and the light source 20 can be better adjusted to each other and, moreover, that the cantilever arm 2a together with the light source 20 and the optical unit 2, they form an optical system that is portable and can be installed at various points in the dishwasher 1 to determine the state of charge of the washing article container 3 with the washing articles 14. However, the dishwasher 1 can also dispense with the light source 20, since the light incident on the environment is sufficient to take an image of the mark 4 and the optional type indicator 5 by the optical unit 2 and to determine the state of loading of the washing article container 3 with the washing articles 14 by the calculation unit 6 of the dishwasher 1.

After the treatment of the washing articles 14 by the dishwasher 1, in particular after the rinsing of the washing articles 14 in the treatment zone 11, the washing article container 3 together with the washing articles 14 can be removed from new from the dishwasher 1, in particular from the treatment zone 11, either manually or by means of an automatic process. In Figure 4B, an area to the right of the hood type dishwasher 1 and opposite the loading area 30 is provided to receive the laundry item container 3 together with clean laundry items 14 .

Figure 5 shows a flow diagram indicating the essential and optional operations (dotted in Figure 5) of the method 100 according to the invention for the operation of a dishwasher 1.

In operation 101, the procedure 100 begins by capturing an image of a container 3 of washing articles by means of an optical unit 2.

In the optional operation 102, then, based on the image of the washing article container 3 taken by the optical unit 2, a recognition of a type indicator 5 attached to the washing article container 3 by the unit is performed. 6 calculation.

In the optional operation 103, the calculation unit 6 determines the type of the washing article container 3 based on the detected type indicator 5 .

In operation 104, then, based on the image of the washing article container 3 taken by the optical unit 2, a recognition of at least one mark 4 fixed on the washing article container 3 is performed by means of an optical unit. 6 calculation.

In operation 105, based on the detected mark 4, the calculation unit 6 determines the state of loading of the washing article container 3 with the washing articles 14.

Determining 105 a state of loading of the washing article container 3 with the washing articles 14 by means of the calculating unit 6 may optionally comprise: determining 105a a number of at least one detected mark attached to the article container 3 inside the image of the washing container captured by the optical unit 2.

Determining 105 a state of charge of the washing article container 3 with the washing articles 14 by means of the calculation unit 6 may optionally comprise: reading 105b the stored reference value associated with the determined type of article container 3 by means of the calculation unit 6, where the reference value indicates a total number of one or more marks 4 applied to a container 3 of washing articles of the determined type.

The determination 105 of a state of charge of the washing article container 3 with the washing articles 14 by means of the calculating unit 6 may optionally comprise: comparing 105c this determined number of at least one detected mark 4 fixed on the container 3 of washing items with the queried stored reference value.

In operation 106, after operation 105 (for example, after operation 105c), the determined state of loading of the washing article container 3 with the washing articles 14 is output by means of the washing unit 6 . calculation.

In the optional operation 107, the control unit 7 can perform operation control of the dishwasher according to the determined state of charge. The operation 107 may comprise the following: on the basis of the determined state of the load of the washing article container 3 with washing articles 14 issued by the calculation unit 6, a washing program and/or a washing program can be (automatically) selected. a value of an operating parameter of the dishwasher 1, which is adapted to the determined state of the load of the container 3 of washing articles, by means of the control unit 7.

The one or more operating parameters (eg, of Sinner's circle) may include, individually or in any combination, from the following list: a nozzle pressure at the dispensing nozzles 12, a volumetric flow rate of cleaning liquid used by the dishwasher 1 to rinse the washing items 14, a distribution of the rinse liquid sprayed into one of the one or more treatment zones 11, an amount of rinse liquid sprayed into a subsequent rinse zone, a temperature of the rinse liquid sprayed into the dispensing nozzles 12, a dosage of an agent cleaner of the washing articles within the washing liquid sprayed at the dispensing nozzles 12, a speed of a conveyor belt that transports the washing articles through one of the one or more treatment zones 11 of the dishwasher 1 and/or a action time of a washing liquid sprayed through the dispensing nozzles 12 on the washing articles 14 located in the washing article container 3. The one or more operating parameters are selected so as to improve the program sequence in the dishwasher and, in particular, to optimally use the resources (energy, water, chemicals) required by the dishwasher and therefore Therefore, a washing operation can be provided which is specifically adapted to the loading state of the washing article container and thus saves resources.

Alternatively or in addition to the (automatic) control by the control unit 7, the dishwasher 1 may further comprise an optional display device 8 in which the determined state of the load of the container 3 of washing articles with the items is graphically displayed. washing items 14 during operation 106, as output by computing unit 6. In response, the user may make a user input 9 through the display device 8, which causes an adjustment of one or more of the operating parameters of the dishwasher 1 in operation 107. Furthermore, in operation 106, the device The display 8 can graphically highlight for the user the sections 15 of the wash item container 3 that are not fully occupied by the wash items, so that the user can increase and optimize the load of the wash item container 3 with the items. 14 washing articles and thus contribute to the ecology and economy of the dishwasher. In this way, the operations 106 and/or 107 can be used to adapt the operating parameters of the dishwasher 1 to the actual state of loading of the washing article container 3 with the washing articles 14, so as to improve ecology and hygiene. dishwasher economy 1.

Claims (14)

1. A dishwasher (1) comprising: an optical unit (2) designed to capture an image of a container (3) of washing articles; Y a calculation unit (6) that is designed to detect at least one mark (4, 4a-4f) applied to the washing article container (3) on the basis of the image of the washing article container (3) taken by the optical unit (2) and for determining a loading status of the washing article container (3) with the washing articles (14) on the basis of the detection of at least one mark (4, 4a-4f), in where the calculation unit (6) is designed to issue the determined state of the load of the washing article container (3) with the washing articles (14), one or more marks (4, 4a-4f) being adhered to the washing article container (3) comprising the at least one mark (4, 4a-4f) fixed on the washing article container (3) and detected; characterized because the one or more markings (4, 4a-4f) affixed to the washing item container (3) are designed to cease to be completely visible to the optical unit (2) when the washing item container (3) is occupied with the washing articles (14) and thus mark a section (15) of the washing article container (3) as occupied. 2. Dishwasher (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the dishwasher (1) further comprises a control unit that is designed to select a washing program and/or a value of one or more operating parameters of the dishwasher. dishwasher (1) on the basis of the determined state of the load of the washing article container (3) with the washing articles (14) issued by the calculation unit (6), which adapts to the determined state of the load of the container (3) for washing articles. Dishwasher (1) according to one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the calculation unit (6) is designed to determine the state of charge of the washing article container (3) with the washing articles (14). washing without using a comparison of the image of the washing article container (3) taken by the optical unit (2) with a stored reference image. Dishwasher (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the calculation unit (6) is designed to determine a number, an area, a size, a shape or a color of the at least one mark (4 , 4a-4f) detected fixed on the washing article container (3) within the image of the washing article container (3) recorded by the optical unit (2) and to determine the loading state of the container (3) of washing articles with washing articles (14) on the basis of a specific number, surface, size, shape or color. Dishwasher (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the calculation unit (6) is designed to determine the state of charge of the washing article container (3) with washing articles (14) by means of a comparison of a specific number, surface, size, shape or color with a stored reference. 6. Dishwasher (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the stored reference indicates a total number or a total area of the one or more marks (4, 4a-4f) fixed on the container (3) of washing articles , which are fully visible to the optical unit (2) in the case of a washing article container (3) not loaded with washing articles (14). Dishwasher (1) according to one of claims 5 to 6, characterized in that the calculation unit (6) is designed to recognize one or more type indicators (5) fixed on the container (3) of washing items based on the image of the washing article container (3) recorded by the optical unit (2) and for determining a type of the washing article container (3) on the basis of the one or more indicators (5) of recognized type, where the calculation unit (6) is further designed to read from a storage medium the stored reference value that is assigned to the determined type of container (3) of washing articles. 8. Dishwasher (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the at least one mark (4, 4a-4f) fixed on the container (3) of washing articles differs in color, shape and/or material from the indicators (5) of type fixed in the container (3) of washing articles. 9. Dishwasher (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that a plurality of markings (4, 4a-4f) are fixed on the container (3) for washing items, comprising the at least one marking (4, 4a-4f) detected affixed to the washing article container (3), and the calculation unit (6) is designed to determine a number of the at least one detected mark (4, 4a-4f) affixed to the washing article container (3) within the image of the washing article container (3) taken by the optical unit (2) and determine the loading status of the washing article container (3) with the articles ( 14) of washing on the basis of this determined number, wherein the determined state of charge of the washing article container (3) with the washing articles (14) comprises a degree of loading of the washing article container (3) with the washing articles (14) and the degree of loading of the washing article container (3) with the articles washing s (14) is determined by the calculation unit (6) by a comparison of this determined number with the stored number of the plurality of sections (15) of the washing article container (3) for receiving the articles (14). ) washing. Dishwasher (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the dishwasher (1) further comprises a display device (8) in which the determined state of the container load ( 3) of washing articles with the washing articles (14) issued by the calculation unit (6). 11. A method of operating a dishwasher (1), wherein the method comprises: taking an image of a washing article container (3) by means of an optical unit (2); from the image of the washing article container (3) taken by the optical unit (2), recognizing at least one mark (4, 4a-4f) fixed on the washing article container (3) by a unit ( 6) of calculation, where one or more marks (4, 4a-4f) are fixed on the container (3) of washing articles that comprise the at least one detected mark (4, 4a-4f) fixed on the container ( 3) of washing articles, on the basis of the at least one mark (4, 4a-4f) detected, determining a state of loading of the container (3) of washing articles with washing articles (14) by means of the calculation unit (6); and outputting the determined state of loading the washing article container (3) with the washing articles (14) by means of the calculation unit (6), characterized in that the one or more marks (4, 4a-4f) fixed on the washing article container (3) are designed to cease to be completely visible to the optical unit (2) when the washing article container (3) is occupied with washing articles (14) and thus mark a section (15) of the container (3) of washing articles as occupied. Method according to claim 11, wherein determining a state of charge of the washing article container (3) with the washing articles (14) by means of the calculation unit (6) comprises the following: determining a number of the at least one detected mark (4, 4a-4f) affixed to the washing article container (3) within the image of the washing article container (3) taken by the optical unit (2); and comparing this determined number of the at least one detected mark (4, 4a-4f) attached to the washing article container (3) with a stored reference value. 13. Process according to claim 11 or 12, further comprising: from the image of the washing article container (3) taken by the optical unit (2), recognizing a type indicator (5) fixed on the washing article container (3) by the calculation unit (6) ; from the recognized type indicator (5), determining a type of washing article container (3) by the calculation unit (6); reading the stored reference value associated with the detected type of the washing article container (3) by means of the calculation unit (6), wherein the reference value indicates a total number of one or more marks (4, 4a -4f) fixed in a container (3) of washing articles of the type detected; 14. Method according to any of claims 11 to 13, further comprising: selecting a washing program and/or a value of an operating parameter of the dishwasher (1) by means of a control unit on the basis of the determined state of the load of the laundry container (3) with laundry issued by the calculation unit (6), which adapts to the determined state of the load of the laundry container (3).