RU2728751C1 - Device with light indicators for clothes care - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: physics.SUBSTANCE: invention relates to a garment care device (100) comprising sensor (101) connected to control unit (104) for generating an output signal characterizing movement of the garment care device, and display (102) for displaying at least one light of indicator (103). Control unit (104) is configured to determine certain displacement characteristics in the output signal. Movement characteristics are indicative of movement of the garment care device. Control unit (104) is also configured to control inclusion of said at least one light indicator (103) based on said movement characteristics. Control unit (104) is also configured to switch said at least one light indicator (303) in accordance with a predetermined light circuit.EFFECT: disclosed is a device with light indicators for care of clothes.5 cl, 7 dwg

Description

AREA OF TECHNOLOGY

The invention relates to the field of clothing care.

LEVEL OF TECHNOLOGY

Displacement sensor garment care devices are already known. However, these prior art devices do not provide any feedback to the user regarding movement information. This has negative consequences when the user would like to proactively change the movement of the device to optimize the ironing settings for better ironing results.

US 2004/133295 discloses a controller for a fabric care device for optimum usability, the controller having at least an interface.

Document US 2013/125427 discloses an iron comprising: a water tank; heated sole; at least one water outlet; water spraying and distribution unit; sensor; Control block.

US 2010/242314 discloses a steam iron containing a sensor for detecting and measuring the movement of the steam iron.

US 2006/081588 discloses an iron interface with a graphic display indicating the current temperature selection, user controls for adjusting the current temperature selection, and a ready indicator.

WO 82/03520 discloses a device containing an audible signal and a visual indicator to alert the user of an impending power outage if the use detector does not detect the use of the device.

US Pat. No. 6,104,009 discloses an electric clothes iron with a circuit to automatically turn off the power supply to the iron when the iron is left unattended for a period of time.

US Pat. No. 6,452,501 discloses an electrical heating device configured to signal a user to turn off the heating element by means of an indicator.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to provide an improved garment care device preventing or eliminating the above problems.

The invention is defined by the independent claims. The dependent claims define advantageous embodiments.

In this regard, the garment care device according to the invention comprises:

- a sensor connected to the control unit for generating an output signal indicative of the movement of the garment care device,

- a display for displaying at least one indicator light,

the control unit is configured to:

a) determining some movement characteristics in said output signal, said movement characteristics indicating movement of the garment care device,

b) controlling the lighting of said at least one indicator light based on the movement characteristics

c) turning on the specified at least one indicator light (303) in accordance with a predetermined light pattern.

This solution provides the user with visual feedback on the movement characteristics of the device. First, visual feedback through indicator lights informs about movement characteristics. For example, visual feedback may indicate that the user is moving the device in short motions or long motions. Second, visual feedback also helps the user change the way the device moves. For example, if the indicator lights are turned on to indicate that movement of the device is characterized by short movements, the user may decide to move the device with longer movements, in particular if he knows that the device can switch to a specific mode of operation associated with long movements.

The invention also relates to a method for controlling at least one indicator light in a garment care device as described above.

Detailed explanations and other aspects of the invention follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Specific aspects of the invention will be described below with reference to the embodiments described below in this document and considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which identical parts or sub-steps are identified in the same way:

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a garment care device according to the invention,

FIG. 2 shows a display for displaying at least one indicator light in the garment care device of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of a garment care device according to the invention,

FIG. 4 shows a display for displaying at least one indicator light in the garment care device of FIG. 3,

FIG. 5A-5B show examples of signals generated by an accelerometer used in a garment care device in accordance with the invention,

FIG. 6 shows a flow chart of a method in accordance with the invention.

CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a garment care device according to the invention.

The garment care device 100 comprises a sensor 101 coupled to a control unit 104 to generate an output indicative of movement of the garment care device.

The garment care device also includes a display 102 for displaying at least one indicator light 103.

The control unit 104 is configured to:

a) determining some movement characteristics in the output signal, said movement characteristics indicating movement of the garment care device,

b) controlling the activation of said at least one indicator light 103 based on said movement characteristics

c) turning on the specified at least one indicator light (303) in accordance with a predetermined light pattern.

This also applies to the device shown in FIG. 3.

For example, the indicator lights 103 are surface mounted light emitting diodes (“LEDs”). Alternatively, the indicator lights are discrete light emitting diodes or a light emitting diode module.

For example, sensor 101 is a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) type accelerometer capable of generating at least one acceleration signal along any X, Y, Z axis to form an orthonormal reference in which Z corresponds to the vertical direction and XY forms a horizontal projection. ...

For generating steam, the garment care device shown in FIG. 1 comprises a water tank 105, a steam generator 106 receiving water from the tank 105. The steam generated in the steam generator 106 exits through the steam outlet holes 107 located in the base S. A water pump 108 is used to control the amount of steam generated, preferably controlled by the control unit 104 to move water from the water tank 105 to the steam generator 106.

Preferably, the sensor 101 is located in the handle 109. As a result, the risk of damage to the sensor 101, for example, due to water leakage from the reservoir 105, can be reduced. Additionally, an additional protective housing (not shown) can provide additional protection for the sensor 101 (and / or control unit 102).

Indicator light control means any of the following control types:

- switching on at full brightness,

- shutdown,

- an increase in light intensity by a certain percentage,

- decrease in light intensity by a certain percentage.

The brightness of the predetermined indicator light is shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4 darkened surface (in whole or in part) of the corresponding indicator light.

FIG. 2 shows a display 102 for displaying at least one indicator light in the garment care device of FIG. 1.

In this example, for ease of explanation, only two indicator lights are included, a first indicator light 103a and a second indicator light 103b. However, more indicator lights can be used in this manner.

Preferably, the indicator lights are of different sizes.

The movement characteristics correspond to the amount of linear displacement along the predetermined direction (D) of the garment care device.

The amount of linear displacement may preferably correspond to the length of movement in this predetermined direction (D) of the garment care device when used by the user.

For example, the specified direction (D) corresponds to the X axis.

FIG. 5A shows an example of an AS signal generated by a sensor 101 used in a garment care device in accordance with the invention.

In this case, the sensor 101 is an accelerometer, and the output signal generated by the sensor 101 is an acceleration signal AS varying over time in a given direction D, such as, for example, the X-axis. The unit for the vertical axis of the graph is milli-g (or abbreviated as "mg"), with 1 g = 9.81 m / s ² .

The characteristics of the output signal correspond to the time interval d1 between two successive zero crossing points of the output signal. In order to classify the length of the movement performed by the user, the time interval d1 is compared with a predetermined threshold value d0 of the duration:

- if the measured time interval d1 is less than the predetermined duration threshold d0, the movement of the user using the garment care device is considered short.

- if the measured time interval d1 is greater than the predetermined threshold value d0 of the duration, the movement of the user using the garment care device is considered long.

The predetermined threshold value d0 of duration corresponds to the average value of the time interval between two successive zero crossing points of the output signal corresponding to the average value of the length of the movement performed by the user.

By definition, the length of movement along the predetermined direction D corresponds to the linear distance of the garment care device between the start position at zero speed and the next position at zero speed.

By definition, the average value of the length of the movement performed by the user is the average linear distance that allows the classification of the length of movement between a short movement and a long movement. The short movement is less than the average linear distance, and the long movement is greater than the average linear distance.

The garment care device is preferably configured to modify the characteristics of certain modes of operation of the device based on whether a short or long movement is detected. For example, the temperature of the soleplate can be changed, the temperature of the steam chamber can be changed, the amount of steam generated can be changed accordingly.

It should be noted that if the output signal generated by the sensor 101 contains a certain noise level, for example +/- 50 mg, the time interval d1 between two successive zero crossing points of the output signal should be calculated with an offset corresponding to the estimated noise level. An example is shown in FIG. 5B.

Preferably, the predetermined duration threshold d0 has a value in the range [200; 800] ms, preferably 550 ms.

The control unit 104 is configured to control the activation of a certain number of indicator lights, and this number of indicator lights depends on the amount of linear displacement (i.e., distance).

In particular, the number of indicator lights turned on at full brightness is less if the amount of linear displacement is lower than a predetermined threshold value than the number of indicator lights turned on at full brightness if the amount of linear displacement is higher than the specified predetermined threshold. The specified threshold value corresponds to the amount of linear displacement between a short movement and a long movement.

For example:

- when a short movement is detected, one indicator light is turned on.

- when a long movement is detected, two indicator lights are activated.

Alternatively:

when a short movement is detected, one indicator light is turned on at full brightness and one indicator light is turned on at partial brightness, as shown in (b) of FIG. 2,

- when long movement is detected, the two indicator lights are turned on at full brightness, as shown in (c) FIG. 2.

Preferably, the movement characteristics indicate no movement of the garment care device.

For example, a stationary state of the garment care device can be detected by measuring the acceleration signal (s) along any of the X, Y, Z axes.In particular, if the value of the acceleration signal along a given axis is below 50 mg (or more generally, the level noise), where 1 g = 9.81 m / s ² , it can be considered that the device does not move along this given axis.

The stationary state of the garment care device can be detected along one or multiple axes X, Y, Z. In the case of multiple axes, the acceleration signal must be below 50 mg along each of these axes to conclude that the garment care device does not move. ...

Preferably, upon detecting a stationary state of the garment care device, the control unit 104 is configured to turn on at least one indicator light out of said at least one indicator light 103. This also applies to the device shown in FIG. 3.

For example, upon detecting a stationary state of the garment care device, it is provided:

- turning on only one indicator light, for example, indicator light 103a, at a lower brightness than full brightness, as shown in the form (a) of FIG. 2, or

- turning on all indicator lights at full brightness, as shown in the form (c) of FIG. 2.

Preferably, the movement characteristics are indicative of movement of the garment care device.

For example, the state of movement of the garment care device can be detected by measuring the acceleration signal (s) along any of the X, Y, Z axes.In particular, if the value of the acceleration signal along a predetermined axis is greater than 50 mg (or more generally, the level noise), where 1 g = 9.81 m / s ² , it can be considered that the device moves along this given axis and, therefore, moves as a whole.

Preferably, upon detecting a moving state of the garment care device, the control unit 104 is configured to turn on said at least one indicator light 303 in accordance with a predetermined light pattern, the predetermined light pattern corresponding to either: turning on a predetermined amount of said at least one light indicator; the brightness of the light, or the effect of "running fire" ("knight rider").

In this case, when the light circuit corresponds to the inclusion of a predetermined number of the specified at least one indicator light, the indicator light (s) may be turned on or off in accordance with the detected movement of the device. The exact number of indicator lights that turn on, in which there are several in the example, may vary depending on the detected movement.

In an example in which the light circuit is a light intensity circuit, the brightness of the indicator light (s) may change in accordance with the detected movement of the device. In the single indicator light example, multiple levels of indicator brightness may be provided according to the detected movement of the device. Alternatively, in the case of multiple indicator lights, the brightness of each indicator may be changed to a predetermined pattern in response to a predetermined detected movement.

FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of a garment care device 300 in accordance with the invention.

This embodiment comprises an iron 301 communicating with a base unit 302 via a cordless hose 308. The base unit 302 includes a water reservoir 304, a boiler 307, and a water pump 305 for supplying water from the water reservoir 304 to a boiler 307. Boiler 307 generates steam as a fluid in a cordless hose 308. The steam reaching the iron 301 is then heated in the steam generator 106. The control unit 104 is preferably located in the base unit 302 and is configured to communicate with the sensor 101 via a wire embedded inside the cord hose 308. The cordless hose 308 is also configured to transmit power to the steam generator 106.

The garment care device also includes a display 302 for displaying at least one indicator light 303 that functions similarly to the display 102 described above. One difference is that there are more indicator lights (i.e. five indicator lights 303a, 303b, 303c, 303d, 303e). The display 302, sensor 101, and control unit 104 operate similarly to the embodiment of FIG. 1.

Preferably, upon detecting a moving state of the garment care device 300, in particular a moving state of the iron 301, the control unit 104 is configured to turn on said at least one indicator light 303 in accordance with a predetermined light pattern.

Preferably, the light pattern is a "knight rider" effect. The "running fire" effect is characterized by the fact that at any given time, one of the indicator lights is on with full brightness, and the adjacent two indicator lights have a limited brightness, for example, 30%. The rest of the indicator lights are off. The position of the indicator light illuminated at full brightness on the display 302 shifts over time in accordance with the display sequence depicted in FIG. 4: (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (e), (d), (c), (b), etc ...

In other words, the "running fire" effect is defined as a firing sequence in which, in the first step in the firing sequence, one indicator light out of a plurality of indicator lights is illuminated at full brightness, the indicator lights next to the illuminated indicator illuminate at a limited brightness, and the other indicators are off as shown in FIG. 4 (b). In the second step of the firing sequence, one of the lights lit at limited brightness is illuminated at full brightness, the lights next to this indicator are illuminated at limited brightness, and the other lights are off, as shown in FIG. 4 (c). This transition provides the visual effect of moving a fully lit indicator to an adjacent indicator in the first direction, as shown by the transition from FIG. 4 (b) to FIG. 4 (c). This transition is repeated sequentially until the indicator lit with full brightness is the last indicator in the first direction, i.e. the next adjacent indicator lights in this first direction are absent as shown in FIG. 4 (f). At this point, the direction of the progression is reversed and the indicator illuminated at full brightness moves in a sequential manner along the second direction opposite to the first direction, as shown in the transition from FIG. 4 (f) to FIG. 4 (e). The transition described above is carried out in the second direction until the indicator illuminated at full brightness becomes the last indicator in the second direction. This above-described firing sequence can then be repeated alternately between the first and second directions. Thus, the "running fire" effect provides the visual effect of a full-brightness indicator light moving sequentially back and forth across a plurality of indicator lights.

Preferably, the movement characteristics are displacement speed (ie, speed) along a given direction (D) of the garment care device. For example, this applies to the devices shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3. For example, the displacement rate can be obtained by integrating the appropriate acceleration signal (s).

Preferably, the control unit 104 is configured to control the switching on of a certain number of indicator lights among said at least one indicator light 103, 303, the number of available indicator lights depending on the displacement speed.

For example, the number of indicator lights that turn on (at full or partial brightness) is proportional to the displacement rate. In other words, the faster the device is, the more indicator lights will be on.

Preferably, the portable device is a garment care device of any of the following types:

- iron for dry ironing,

a steam iron as shown in FIG. 1,

- a pressurized steam generator (with a base connected to the iron through a hose with a cord, or a hose that transfers water, or a hose with a cord that transfers steam, as shown in FIG. 3),

- handheld garment steamer,

- garment steamer on the rack.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of a method according to the invention for controlling at least one indicator light in a garment care device, such as the garment care device shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3. The method includes the stages at which:

- generate 601 output signal indicative of movement of said garment care device,

- define 602 some characteristics of movement in the specified output signal,

- controlling 603 to turn on said at least one indicator light based on said movement characteristics.

Preferably, the step of determining 602 includes:

- determining the amount of linear displacement along a given direction (D) of the garment care device, or

- determining that the garment care device is not moving, or

- determining that the garment care device is moving, or

- determination of the displacement speed along a predetermined direction (D) of the garment care device.

In a further example, the control unit (104) may be configured to:

a) determining some movement characteristics in said output signal, said movement characteristics indicating no movement of the garment care device, and

b) controlling the activation of the specified at least one indicator light (103, 303) in accordance with a predetermined light scheme.

A given light scheme can correspond to either:

- the inclusion of a predetermined number of the specified at least one indicator light, or

- luminescence brightness scheme.

The above described embodiments are illustrative only and are not intended to limit the methods of the present invention. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the methods of the present invention may be altered or replaced by equivalents without departing from the protection scope of the claims of the present invention. In the claims, the term "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and grammatical means of expressing the singular do not exclude multiple elements. Any reference numbers in the claims are not to be understood as limiting their scope.

Claims (17)

1. Device (100) for the care of clothes, containing: - a sensor (101) connected to the control unit (104) to generate an output signal indicative of the movement of said garment care device, - display (102, 302) for displaying a plurality of indicator lights (103, 303), wherein the control unit (104) is configured to: a) determining some movement characteristics in said output signal, said movement characteristics indicating movement of the garment care device and corresponding to the amount of linear displacement along a predetermined direction (D) of the garment care device; b) controlling the activation of said plurality of indicator lights (103, 103) based on said movement characteristics, and c) turning on the specified plurality of indicator lights (303) in accordance with a predetermined light pattern, and characterized in that the control unit (104) is configured to control the activation of a number of indicator lights from the specified plurality of indicator lights (103, 303), and the number of indicator lights depends on the amount of linear displacement. 2. The garment care device of claim 1, wherein the number of indicator lights illuminated at full brightness is less if the linear offset is less than a predetermined threshold than the number of indicator lights illuminated at full brightness if the linear offset is greater than said specified threshold value. 3. Device for the care of clothes according to any one of paragraphs. 1, 2, in which the specified sensor (101) is an accelerometer of the type of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS). 4. Device for the care of clothes according to any one of paragraphs. 1-3, corresponding to any of the types limited to: dry iron, steam iron, pressurized steam generator, handheld garment steamer, rack mounted garment steamer. 5. A method for controlling a plurality of indicator lights in a garment care device, comprising the steps of: - generate (601) an output signal indicative of the movement of said garment care device, - determining (602) some movement characteristics in said output signal, said movement characteristics corresponding to the amount of linear displacement along a given direction (D) of the garment care device, - control (603) the inclusion of the specified set of indicator lights based on the specified characteristics of movement, and characterized in that the method also includes controlling the inclusion of a number of indicator lights from said plurality of indicator lights, the number of indicator lights depending on the amount of linear displacement

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