WO2011009725A1

WO2011009725A1 - Monitoring consumer usage of a washing receptacle

Info

Publication number: WO2011009725A1
Application number: PCT/EP2010/059735
Authority: WO
Inventors: Geraldine Bridget Griffith; Keith Leslie Rutherford
Original assignee: Hindustan Unilever Ltd; Unilever NV
Current assignee: Hindustan Unilever Ltd; Unilever NV
Priority date: 2009-07-22
Filing date: 2010-07-07
Publication date: 2011-01-27
Anticipated expiration: 2012-01-22

Abstract

A system for monitoring consumer usage of a washing receptacle in which laundry fabrics undergo a washing operation, the system comprising a monitoring device contained in the receptacle during a washing operation, the device comprising a motion sensor, wherein motion patterns are monitored to indicate actual timing of washing process steps.

Description

MONITORING CONSUMER USAGE OF A WASHING RECEPTACLE

The present invention relates to monitoring usage of washing receptacle and laundry treatment product.

Laundry treatment products for use in washing receptacles (such as a drum of an automatic washing machine) and in particular those products which reduce water usage such as laundry washing, are key for the environment. In consumer trials, data relating to consumer usage of washing

receptacles and laundry treatment products for such washing receptacles may be collected.

However, problems arise from consumer-gathered data which may be for example, diary studies, video diaries,

questionnaires etc. Participants often provide inaccurate data as they may forget to record data or they may chose not to record data to hide non-compliance. Video observation provides greater detail, however, data collection and analysis is extremely expensive and the presence of a camera perturbs normal behaviour.

The object of the present invention is to provide an

improved system for accurately monitoring a subject's usage of a washing receptacle and associated laundry treatment product .

Accordingly, in a first aspect the invention provides a system for monitoring consumer usage of a washing receptacle in which laundry fabrics undergo a washing operation, the system comprising a monitoring device contained in the receptacle during a washing operation, the device comprising a motion sensor.

With this arrangement, the motion sensed can be used to interpret precisely the operational steps (filling,

draining, washing, spinning, rinsing) . A very distinctive pattern is created by the motion. The motion patterns are monitored for an indication of actual timing of washing process steps (as opposed to timings often imperfectly recorded by the user or simply timings which are not known without monitoring) . The invention enables monitoring of washing operations when the machine model and type are unknown to the monitoring team or when water usage cannot be predicted for whatever reason.

The motion sensor is preferably capable of sensing

accelerations along one or more axis. Preferably the motion sensor is capable of sensing accelerations along two and further preferably three orthogonal axis.

Upward movement of the motion sensor along a upright axis will indicate filling of the receptacle.

Downward movement of the motion sensor along a upright axis will indicate draining of the receptacle.

Movement of the motion sensor along 3 axis indicates a main wash, a rinse or a spin. The spin is indicated by much greater relative acceleration values compared to those of a corresponding main wash. The relative timing of the 3-axis motion steps can indicate whether it is a pre-wash, a main wash or a rinse.

The acceleration data monitored is preferably timed, and accordingly the system preferably includes a timing device, e.g. real time clock. A timing device to enable the sensed motions to provide an accurate picture of the operation. Data can be collected and/or stored in appropriate memory devices over a period of time. This data can conveniently be interpreted for water usage.

Products which are aimed at encouraging a reduction in resource (water, energy) usage can be used as part of the system to examine whether resource usage does in fact decrease when such products are used.

Even a motion sensor capable of sensing accelerations along one axis can provide indicative data. A 2-axis sensor could be used, since movement along one axis would indicate either a fill or a drain and then movement along 2 axis must indicate a main wash or spin.

A 3-axis sensor would of course provide a more accurate picture of the accelerations in all directions and so is preferred.

The washing receptacle may be a drum of an automatic washing machine and the washing operation be one of a number of possible automated operations (often referred to a

"cycles") . Alternatively the washing receptacle may be part of a washing machine which involves machinery but is not

automated. The washing receptacle may even be a simple tub where all steps are manually controlled: it may filled by turning on a tap or pouring buckets of water into the tub; it may be drained by unplugging a drain plug; agitation of the laundry is by hand to effect a main wash, and a rinse but not a spin.

The motion sensor is preferably an accelerometer . A tri- axial accelerometer could be used or alternatively, two 2- axis ones mounted at right angles capable of sensing 3 dimensional acceleration data.

The device may comprise a first activation device comprising a timing device for delaying activation of the device.

The device may further comprise a secondary activation device by which the device can be activated and/or

deactivated remotely.

In a second aspect the invention provides a method of monitoring consumer usage of a washing receptacle in which laundry fabrics undergo a washing operation, using the system of the first aspect of the invention, the method comprising the steps monitoring motion of the motion sensor during a washing operation conducted in the washing

receptacle . The method preferably comprises monitoring motion in at least one direction, more preferably in two directions, and most preferably in three directions. The method may include the steps of:

1. delaying activation of the device using the first

activation device

2. activating the device using the secondary activation

device .

With this arrangement, by appropriate use of the timing device e.g. selection of the appropriate time delay, the monitoring device can located within the consumer article during manufacture, without monitoring/recording of this activity and other activities not relevant to consumer behaviour e.g. packaging and transportation, activities. The device can be activated by operatives in the field (such as consumer research personnel) and the device then passed to consumers. The consumer may even be able to activate the device as will be clear below.

Preferably the device of the invention is also capable of recording some or all of the monitored usage. Accordingly the device preferably comprises a data storage device for storing data that is sensed by the motion sensor. The data storage device may incorporate erasable non-volatile memory. Erasable (rewritable) memory allows re-use of the device. Non-volatile memory is advantageous because this means the memory is protected in case of a loss of power (e.g. in the case of battery powered devices, when the battery loses power) . The first activation device comprising a timing device may be a real time clock. The real time clock may be digital and/or produces a digital output signal. The secondary activation device by which the device can be activated and/or deactivated remotely may comprise a

secondary switch which is externally accessible on the consumer product. This may be magnetically operated (e.g. a^greed' switch) so that it is not directly connected to the device. This enables the device to be contained wholly within the consumer article (i.e. not visible to the naked eye) .

This secondary switch can be used as an event sensor in its own right. For example detecting lid removal, etc. It can be also used as a trigger signal for the other sensors. For example, a small magnet attached to the product packaging could be used to inhibit acceleration logging during

transit .

The magnet may then be removed prior to use (after

transportation) .

The secondary activation device may function only when the delay in activation caused the first activation device, is completed.

The device may monitor and record acceleration data

continually or for a predetermined number of events. Such events may be monitored may be time-linked in that they may be recorded for a predetermined period of time and/or events may be separated by predetermined time periods.

Alternatively or additionally, the device may monitor and record acceleration data only in response to the motion sensor sensing a predetermined or ^λthreshold' acceleration. The interval of time may begin when the accelerometer senses a threshold minimum acceleration associated with consumer usage of an article e.g. at least 0.2 G.

The device may contain a programmable computing device, such as a microprocessor e.g. microcontroller. This may be connected to the motion sensor, timing device and the data storage device, and capable of reading and execute program instructions from the data storage device to control the various components within the device.

The programmable computing device may be able to record data to the data storage device, said data including digital acceleration signals produced by the accelerometer a digital timer signal produced by the timing device e.g. at the beginning of the interval of time to be stored in the data storage device. The device may be contained discreetly within the consumer article, and preferably it is completely contained within the consumer article so that it is hidden from view (when viewed with the naked eye) . Accordingly the consumer article may include one or more hollow portions for housing the device, to prevent enlarging of the consumer device to fit in the monitoring and recording device. All components may be selected so that they are small as compared with the consumer article.

Preferably the device has a power source which may be a battery or it may be at least in part solar powered.

If a battery is used, this should also preferably be as small as possible. However, with small batteries, the peak current tends to be too low so that high current activities e.g. recording to certain kinds of data storage devices e.g. ^λflash' memory, and transferring between certain kinds of data storage devices e.g. ^λflash' memory and non-volatile memory, exhausts the battery. As a solution the device may include a capacitor within the circuit. Alternatively or additionally the device may be programmed to record for discreet sequential time periods rather than continually to reduce the amount of recording time (and therefore the power needed) . This is particularly advantageous when monitoring the consumer usage of what are generally small products over extended periods of time.

The time periods may be 5 seconds (i.e. 5 seconds recording following by a non-recording period which may be also 5 seconds) . This would reduce the power required but still provide representative data for consumer activity.

The device may be contained and concealed within any type of consumer product e.g. personal care product such as skin product e.g. soaps & creams, hair products e.g. shampoo bottle, oral care product e.g. toothbrush, deodorant product e.g. deodorant stick; or household care products e.g. hard surface cleaning product or laundry or dish washing product, where it will be used to monitor product usage by consumers.

Various non-limiting embodiments of the invention will now be more particularly described.

Fig 1 shows a schematic diagram of the device according to the invention contained within a consumer article. Referring to the drawing, the device comprises a small electronic circuit board housed within a protective, sealed water proof housing (not shown) .

The cover is made up of two parts with water proof sealing.

All of the electronics reside on a single printed circuit board.

In order to minimise board area, surface mount components are used and mounted on both sides of the board.

The device monitors and records 3-axis acceleration data. Recording is triggered by motion i.e. acceleration above a pre-set threshold of 26. Once triggered, the device records acceleration data for a predetermined period of time. This time period is set during initial programming. Multiple recordings can be made according to the remaining

memory/battery capacity. The data storage device incorporates erasable non-volatile memory, allowing re-use of the device and protection in case of a loss of power (e.g. in the case of battery powered devices, when the battery loses power) .

The data storage device comprises flash memory: Atmel

AT45DB321C ^λDataflash' memory IC to provide non-volatile data storage.

The programmable computer comprises a PIC16LF876

microcontroller from Microchip.

Memory capacity is optimised by pre-compressing three accelerometer signals (one per axis) into a single value prior to storage. Data is stored as a series of 'events' so the storage capacity has also to accommodate additional information (e.g. calendar date) relating to each event.

The timing device comprises a Maxim MAX6902 which provides a real-time clock (date/time) information.

The motion sensor comprises a Kionix KXM52-1050 Tri-axis accelerometer to sense acceleration. The secondary activation device comprises a miniature reed (i.e. magnetically operated) switch which is used as a trigger signal for the other sensors. A small magnet is attached to the product packaging and used to inhibit acceleration data recordal during transit. The magnet is removed by operatives in the field prior to consumer

testing. The device further comprises a A MAX3221E RS232 transceiver to enable direct communication between the logger and a PC (via the serial port) . The device electronics are powered from a Lithium Manganese Dioxide (LiMnO₂) CR1225 coin cell.

Since battery voltage can drop by as much as 0.3V during high-current activity (e.g. flash memory activity).

This may be sufficient to cause some ICs to malfunction, especially when the battery is near the end of its life. A MAX1724 DC-DC converter is therefore be used to boost the battery voltage to a constant 3.3V. The net battery life of course depends on the proportion of time the device spends in each state.

In order to prevent depleting the battery while the device is connected to a PC. The device may also be run from an (optional) external DC power supply connected via the data cable .

The device is connectable to a computing device e.g. PC, via standard connectors. A mini-USB type connector is used in this embodiment for data communications. Although smaller connectors are available, the mini-USB type provides a good compromise between size, ease-of-use and lifetime (in terms of how many times the connector can be used) . The physical interface comprises an RS232-type serial connection accessed via a 5-pin mini-USB connector mounted on the device circuit board. A mini-USB to DB9 serial cable connects the logger to a PC. Use

The monitoring device is simply inserted into a washing receptacle (not shown) and activated. It can remain in the washing receptacle over successive washes. Upon completion of the trial, the monitoring device is retrieved and the recorded data downloaded to a computer for analysis. To read and program device the battery is inserted and the device connected to the PC using the mini-usb cable. The computer is then used to program the device parameters.

A timing device (first activation device) is used prior to installing in the consumer product, to delay recording of manufacturing/transportation acceleration data which would be superfluous .

The time delay is set to expire with the commencement of the consumer trial. The device is also programmed with other instructions e.g. date, time etc. and to record data e.g. for a predetermined time period (e.g. 5 seconds) in response to the sensing of a threshold acceleration (on any axis) .

The program instructions are stored on the data storage device. The device is removed from the housing to retrieve data stored and installed within the protective housing for data recording. A magnet (for activation of the device via the reed switch) may be located on the exterior of the device.

It is of course to be understood that the invention is not intended to be restricted to the details of the above embodiments which are described by way of example only.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring consumer usage of a washing

receptacle in which laundry fabrics undergo a washing operation, the system comprising a monitoring device contained in the receptacle during a washing operation, the device comprising a motion sensor, wherein motion patterns are monitored to indicate actual timing of washing process steps.

2. A system according to claim 1 in which the motion sensor is capable of sensing accelerations along one or more axis .

3. A system according to claim 2 in which the motion sensor is capable of sensing accelerations along two and further preferably three orthogonal axis.

4. A system according to any preceeding claim in which

includes a timing device such that the sensed motions are recorded against time.

5. A system according to any preceeding claim in which the washing receptacle is a drum of an automatic washing machine, and motion patterns are monitored to indicate actual timing of the automatic wash cycle process steps.

6. A system according to any preceeding claim in which the washing receptacle is a part of a washing machine which involves machinery but is not automated.

7. A system according to any preceeding claim in which the washing receptacle is a tub where all steps are manually controlled.

8. A system according to any preceeding claim in which the motion sensor is preferably an accelerometer .

9. A system according to any preceeding claim in which the accelerometer is a tri-axial accelerometer.

10. A method of monitoring consumer usage of a washing

receptacle in which laundry fabrics undergo a washing operation, using the system of any claims 1 - 9; the method comprising the step of monitoring motion of the motion sensor during a washing operation conducted in the washing receptacle, wherein motion patterns are monitored to indicate actual timing of washing process steps .

11. A method according to claim 10 including the step of

monitoring motion in at least one direction, more preferably in two directions, and most preferably in three directions.

12. A method according to claim 11 wherein upward motion

along an upright axis indicates filling of the

receptacle; downward motion along an upright axis indicates draining of the receptacle; and movement along three axis indicates a main wash, rinse or spin, depending on timing and/or acceleration amplitude.