CN111836925A

CN111836925A - Scanner, scanning system comprising such a scanner and method for sorting items to be washed

Info

Publication number: CN111836925A
Application number: CN201980018651.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: J·盖尔; J·霍夫曼
Original assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Current assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Priority date: 2018-03-15
Filing date: 2019-03-05
Publication date: 2020-10-27
Also published as: DE102018203938A1; WO2019174955A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a scanner (2) for attachment to a laundry container (13), comprising a scanning unit (3), an interface (4) for wireless communication, a control unit (5) and a holding element (6), said scanning unit being provided for determining the composition of a laundry item (12) and/or the composition of a stain located on the laundry item (12). The invention also relates to a scanning system (1) comprising the scanner (2) and to a method for sorting laundry items to be treated.

Description

Scanner, scanning system comprising such a scanner and method for sorting items to be washed

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a scanner, a scanning system comprising such a scanner and a method for sorting laundry items to be treated. The invention relates in particular to a scanner and to a method for sorting items of laundry to be treated, the scanner comprising: a scanning unit arranged to determine the composition of laundry items and/or the composition of stains located on the laundry items; an interface for wireless communication; and a control unit.

Background

The technical development of laundry treatment appliances has achieved improvements in the area of environmental and laundry protection, energy consumption and process optimization. The new washing machine is more environmentally friendly in terms of water and detergent consumption. The continuing development in the art of components and washing methods that enable lower energy consumption and an increasing number of washing programs, options and special programs provides users with a plurality of possibilities for optimally caring for and cleaning laundry items, but also requires users to be aware of the programs and options provided on their washing machines.

In addition, it is known that, depending on the material constituting the laundry items, the latter may be more or less mechanically loaded and only allowed to be heated to a determined temperature. This is to be considered in the washing process and the drying process. There are also limitations in that many laundry items cannot be treated with established chemicals. In addition, the laundry items should be treated differently according to the degree or type of contamination. Generally, laundry items should be treated as gently as possible, but their soiling should be removed as completely as possible. Furthermore, it is important that the energy requirement for the laundry treatment be as low as possible. Finally, it is important that the duration of the treatment of the laundry is as short as possible.

The known laundry treatment appliances therefore comprise, depending on their configuration, a large number of washing programs and other laundry treatment programs (for example drying programs), from which the user of the laundry treatment appliance can select the program which, depending on his own judgement, is most suitable for the laundry to be treated and the dirt to be removed therefrom. For this reason, the user requires a great deal of information and experience in order to be able to decide which material the laundry to be treated relates to and which type of soiling. This is particularly difficult when the laundry item no longer has a label. Thus, it is often not possible to identify the material type of the laundry and to determine the permitted treatment method. Thus, extremely efficient removal of the dirt also becomes at least more difficult.

On the other hand, the correct loading of the laundry treatment appliance by the user is often uncertain for different treatment programs. In this case, for example, there is a risk of overloading the laundry treatment appliance, since the washing performance is then insufficient and/or there is a risk of the appliance having a shorter service life. On the other hand, if the entire accommodating capacity of the drum of the laundry treatment appliance is not fully utilized, there is a fear that resources are wasted.

It would therefore be desirable to improve the treatment of items of laundry in the home in such a way that, on the one hand, the negative effects of the treatment on the items of laundry and the duration and energy consumption of the treatment program carried out are minimized as much as possible, but, on the other hand, the soiling is also removed effectively.

Thus, the batch of laundry to be used for the laundry treatment

Optimal combination may be helpful. Furthermore, it may be relevant to establish in advance an optimum laundry treatment program (for example, an optimum washing program). For optimum laundry care, it is important here, for example, to classify the laundry items to be washed according to different criteria. Basic criteria are the color of the items being washed, for example dark (black, dark blue, grey), white (white, beige, light watercolor), colored (blue/green/red/orange/pink). Further criteria are the type of textile and the washing temperature and the type of items to be washed (e.g. shirt, underwear, kitchen towel, bedding). It is important to make the correct decision in the classification in order to ensure that the items of laundry are not damaged in the subsequently performed laundry treatment process. The wrong color in the wash load may cause discoloration to occur. Washing certain types of laundry in an inappropriate program (e.g., at inappropriate washing temperatures) may cause it to be irreparably damaged.

In the occupational and personal activities of the user (e.g. of a washing machine) and the large number of reservations associated therewith, an effective household plan is important in the treatment of laundry. Although household appliances already offer a number of possibilities with regard to optimal treatment of laundry items. However, real-time planning and execution is still always up to the user. The aforementioned complex sorting and decision process is therefore made difficult by other events or objectives of the user, such as the desire for efficiency in the sense of as few wash loads as possible, a fixed wash time, or an urgent need to wash certain laundry immediately. In this case, the classification of the different items of laundry to be washed, the selection of the items of laundry to be washed at a specific point in time or the indication of when the specific laundry treatment program should be started represents a significant additional expenditure for the user of the laundry treatment appliance, depending on the professional or private time plan. It is therefore desirable to improve the sorting of laundry items to be treated, in particular to be cleaned.

Publication US 2013/0086520 a1 describes a method for sorting articles on a mobile appliance for subsequent treatment in a domestic appliance. The method comprises the following steps: receiving an input of an item to be processed on a mobile appliance; identifying at least one processing criterion for each entered item; grouping the input items corresponding to the processing criteria; displaying at least one of the groups and the determined operating flow on the mobile appliance.

Publication EP 2441871 a2 describes a control method of a washing machine, comprising: receiving target data of the washed object; obtaining an operation flow based on target data of the washing object; and controlling the washing of the laundry items in response to the determined operation flow. The control method additionally comprises predicting the material of the washing articles, the stain type of the washing articles and the stain degree of the washing articles based on the target data of the washing articles.

Publication DE 102013200374 a1 describes a household appliance having a remote control for controlling at least one function of the household appliance and a display device, wherein the display device is arranged exclusively in the remote control, the household appliance comprises a communication interface for wireless communication with the remote control, and the remote control comprises a non-volatile memory for storing data of the household appliance and a processor for implementing an operating program.

Publication DE 102008036943 a1 describes a washing machine for cleaning or treating textiles with a detergent that can be supplied by the washing machine, which washing machine comprises a control unit, wherein the washing machine is assigned a detection device which is able to ascertain information about the textiles supplied to the washing machine or the detergent supplied to the washing machine and to transmit said information to the control unit, which determines an appropriate washing program on the basis of the transmitted information.

Household appliances and methods for improved laundry treatment are known, as are also household appliances with stain recognition.

Publication DE 102011076991 a1 describes a household appliance (in particular a washing machine or a washer dryer) having a liquid guiding region, which has at least one radiation source, in particular at least one UVC radiation source, wherein the at least one radiation source is mounted in the household appliance at a protected location, and the radiation of the radiation source is guided substantially by means of a mirror or reflection assembly into a target region (in particular of a liquid, for example lye) and in particular in relation to an article to be treated, for example a laundry item. Furthermore, UV radiation, e.g. UVA radiation, with a larger wavelength is disclosed, which can be used to better identify stains on laundry.

Publication WO 2001/046509 a1 describes an appliance for treating textiles, which appliance has a device for identifying a characteristic of the textile, wherein the device comprises at least one transmitting element and at least one receiving element for transmitting or receiving electromagnetic radiation and an evaluation circuit connected to the receiving element, wherein radiation transmitted by the transmitting element and reflected and/or emitted by the textile can be received by the receiving element and can be evaluated in the evaluation circuit.

Publication DE 102015100395 a1 describes a spectrometer, in particular for being incorporated into a sensor module having a radiation source and the following components defining or arranged along a beam path: a sample space for a fluid to be examined, a first lens, a diffraction element, a second lens and a detector.

Publication EP 1242665B 1 describes an appliance for treating textiles, which has an evaluation circuit for identifying the type of textiles and/or the moisture of the laundry items. The appliance uses a transmitting and receiving element for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic radiation and an evaluation circuit connected to the receiving element. A method for identifying characteristics of textiles (e.g. in a washing machine or a washer-dryer) is also described.

In order to better design the laundry treatment program, it is also known to analyze laundry items before they are placed in the laundry treatment appliance.

Publication DE 102013210996 a1 describes an analysis device for analyzing laundry items outside a laundry treatment appliance, which analysis device has at least one camera and an evaluation device for determining at least one laundry care-relevant property of at least one laundry item on the basis of at least one image recorded by means of the camera. In one embodiment, the at least one laundry care-related property of the laundry items may be selected from the group of properties comprising at least maximum treatment temperature, suitability for machine drying, degree of drying, suitability for chemical cleaning, color, structure, type of textile, degree of soiling, and type of laundry items. Furthermore, the analysis device is preferably provided for displaying a recommendation for at least one laundry treatment program and/or for at least one laundry care agent on the basis of at least one identified laundry care-relevant property of one or more laundry items. The evaluation device is provided to allow the selection of the at least one laundry treatment program on the part of the operator and to transmit the result of the selection to the laundry treatment appliance.

Publication DE 102014102531 a1 describes a method for operating a household appliance, in which images of encoded information are captured by means of a mobile telephone comprising a camera and the encoded information or usage data comprised by the encoded information are transmitted to the household appliance. The home appliance extracts the usage data included therein from the encoded information and receives these usage data or directly received usage data into an internal memory, wherein the home appliance interprets the usage data as an automatic program and processes it as an automatic program.

Publication WO 00/32865 a1(EP 1135553 a 1; DE 19855503 a1) describes a laundry treatment machine with an electronic control device for automatically carrying out a laundry treatment program, wherein a decision device is provided for mechanically recognizing the type of laundry items and for mechanically deciding which laundry treatment program the identified laundry items can be treated by, and an information output device is provided. An information output device is provided, by means of which the mechanically determined laundry treatment program can be presented to the person as a recommendation, and an input device is provided, which can be actuated by the person, for ascertaining the mechanically determined laundry treatment program. For the identification of the items of laundry, the items of laundry can be placed manually one behind the other in front of a measuring head or sensor of the determination device, wherein the measuring head can be a hand-held instrument and the determination device preferably contains a spectrometer for identifying the type of the items of laundry.

Publication US 2001/0049846 a1 describes a method for optimizing process conditions (based on environmental conditions), comprising the steps of:

providing a household appliance having one or more sensors in communication with a controller (Direktor);

sensing one or more environmental conditions and/or one or more characteristics of the soiled item with the aid of the sensor; communicating the environmental condition and/or the characteristic of the soiled item to the controller; and

an optimization mode is provided in communication with the controller, the optimization mode configured to optimize process conditions corresponding to the environmental conditions and/or characteristics of the soiled item.

Here, the household appliance is in particular a washing machine and the environmental condition is in particular a water condition. In one embodiment, each item to be washed is identified, wherein a cleaning factor is determined for each item to be washed. A potential washing conflict is also determined and communicated to the user. In addition, the optimum washing conditions displayed to the user are determined so that the user can react thereto.

Publication EP 3159448 a1 describes a system for treating textile articles, which system comprises: a home appliance for treating a textile article according to a treatment program (selected among a number of available programs), the home appliance comprising a portable appliance, the portable appliance being a first appliance for analysing at least one textile article; a portable accessory separate from the portable and household appliances and in signal communication with the first device; an evaluation unit in signal communication with the carrier for determining the type of the at least one textile product that has been analyzed by the first device. The first component is configured to generate electromagnetic radiation, to direct the electromagnetic radiation onto the textile product to be analyzed, to receive the radiation to be analyzed reflected from the textile product, to generate a first signal representing the reflected electromagnetic radiation, to transmit the first signal to a portable device, which is configured to receive the first signal transmitted by the first component and to transmit the first signal to an evaluation unit. The evaluation unit is configured to obtain and process the first signal in order to generate a second signal which represents a processing program of the household appliance which should be selected for the analyzed at least one textile product. The evaluation unit comprises a transmission unit configured to transmit the second signal to the household appliance.

Disclosure of Invention

Against this background, the object of the present invention is to provide an improved scanner, a scanning system and a method for sorting laundry items to be treated, in particular to be cleaned. In this case, it is preferably possible to take into account the requirements of the user of the laundry treatment appliance and/or to be able to carry out resource-and laundry-protecting treatments on the laundry items.

Preferably, the user of the laundry treatment appliance should always be able to wash the optimum batch of laundry according to his target at change and to obtain a profile of his laundry items currently to be cleaned (dirty laundry).

In this case, it is preferable that the user should be allowed to better recognize and remove stains from the laundry items. Preferably, the user of the domestic appliance should be made gentler, more energy-efficient and clean the laundry items in an optimal period of time, without the user having a large amount of information about the type of soiling and/or laundry items. Preferably, the most suitable laundry treatment program in terms of type and amount of fibrous material, fibre content and colour of the laundry items should be advised to the user and/or carried out. Furthermore, it would be desirable to be able to use wireless networked appliances, so that the networked appliances can be used particularly efficiently and conveniently in the home.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a scanner, a scanning system comprising such a scanner and a method for sorting laundry items to be treated, having the features of the respective independent claims. Preferred embodiments of the scanner according to the invention, of the scanning system according to the invention and of the method for sorting laundry items to be treated are listed in the respective dependent claims. Even if not explicitly stated here, preferred embodiments of the scanner according to the invention correspond to preferred embodiments of the scanning system according to the invention and of the method according to the invention, and vice versa.

The subject matter of the invention is therefore a scanner for fastening to a laundry container, comprising a scanning unit, an interface for wireless communication, a control unit and a holding element, the scanning unit being provided for determining the composition of laundry items and/or the composition of stains present on these laundry items. Thus, the scanner can be integrated into the home network.

In the sense of the present invention, "laundry articles" are all textiles in the household which are treated by means of a treatment program.

Preferably, the scanner has a display, in particular a touch-sensitive display (i.e. a touch screen). The scanner preferably includes a touch sensitive display for user input. This is in particular the input of additional information about the soiling of the items of laundry, and preferably also about the items of laundry themselves, for example in their form or other configuration; whether it concerns, for example, short-or long-sleeved shirts, blouses, etc. The input of additional information can also be, in particular, a selection under predefined decision options. The decision options can be related to a suggested stain removal program or other suggestions for removing stains from the laundry items. It should be noted at this point that the terms "smudge" and "stain" are used synonymously.

The control unit of the scanner enables data exchange with other appliances through the interface for wireless data communication. The scanner can thus also be controlled by an external display and input unit (e.g. a smartphone with a suitable App).

In one embodiment of the invention, the selection of the treatment program to be executed by the laundry treatment appliance or of the stain removal program for treatment can be made by a user directly or indirectly via an input on the scanner. In principle, the laundry treatment appliance can therefore also be controlled by the scanner.

The scanner can also have an input option for the location of the items to be washed that are read in. The location may be, for example, a dirty laundry container. This can be linked to the following assumptions: the items of laundry read in at that location are considered as dirty laundry.

The manner in which the touch sensitive display may optionally be used according to the invention is not limited. This may also be configured for processing voice input and outputting voice information. Thus, input may be made by touch, voice, or input text.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the scanner has a motion detector (bewegungsmarder). If the motion detector is present in the scanner, the motion detector can cause the scanning unit to switch automatically, e.g. from a standby mode to a scanning mode.

According to the invention, a flexible strip element is preferably used as a holding element in the scanner. However, the retaining element is not limited in accordance with the present invention. The holding element can also consist of a magnet or a hook, for example, only.

It is generally preferred that the scanner comprises a magnet and/or an iron block. They enable the holding element to be mounted on the laundry container in an improved manner. The place of placement and the choice of magnets and/or iron blocks depend on the configuration of the holding element. If the holding element is configured, for example, as a flexible strip, so that, for example, the scanner can be suspended in the laundry container or in the wall of the laundry container, a magnet or iron block can advantageously be mounted at the end of the holding element, and a corresponding iron block or a corresponding magnet can be mounted on the rear wall of the scanner. The flexible band may also be referred to as a Clip or the Scanner in this case as a Clip-Scanner (Clip-Scanner).

It is very particularly preferred in the scanner according to the invention that the scanning unit has an IR spectrometer with a radiation source and a radiation detector and/or an RGB sensor. Here, it is further preferred that the scanning unit has an NIR spectrometer and an RGB sensor.

The scanning unit may have any shape and structure, wherein the components can be arranged in any manner and method. In a preferred embodiment, the scanner has an optical and/or acoustic display device for the evaluated data of the IR spectrometer and/or of the RGB sensor.

According to the present invention, the type of the at least one radiation detector is not limited. Any radiation detector capable of detecting in the IR range, in particular in the NIR range, may be used. NIR spectrometers typically operate in the wavelength range of 800 to 2500 nm. Typically, the structure of at least one IR spectrometer is used in reflection.

RGB sensors are usually signal-emitting optical devices for selective detection and evaluation of the visible spectral range, wherein broadband light sources (mainly high-power white LEDs) are usually used. In general, RGB sensors operate according to the tristimulus method (Dreibereichsverfahren), in which colorimetric values (Farbma β zahl) are determined broadband and separately for red, green and blue using suitable color filters in the three channels.

Generally, certain washing and care information is available for the laundry items. These information are usually assigned to the respective items of laundry in the scanner, in a database assigned to the scanner and/or in an external server, wherein, if necessary, the user also manually enters or can scan the markings (for example RFID markings) of the items of laundry. Thereby enabling access to an external database (e.g., stored on an external server). The database can be provided with predefined information about the laundry items by the manufacturer of the laundry items. However, it is also possible to assign additional information to the laundry items, for example by means of the change or expansion possibilities available to the user of the database. Depending on the contents of the database that have already been provided, these information can relate, for example, to the color, the image, the date of purchase, the owner and similar items of laundry, which can be disposed of together or used instead in the absence of a clean substitute according to the user's specifications.

The scanner is generally arranged for identifying the laundry item in terms of its textile type and preferably also in terms of its fibre composition. Preferably, the scanner is also provided for additionally identifying stains and then dispensing these to the laundry items. The scanner is not particularly limited in other respects. Preferably, the scanner is arranged for transmitting the raw data obtained in the scanning to an evaluation device (e.g. an external server). The transmission may be done wired or wirelessly. Since the scanner according to the present invention has a communication interface for wireless communication, the use of the interface is suitable.

The term "laundry container" is to be understood in a broad sense. It may be a container in the narrow sense (for example a laundry basket), but also a cabinet, a cabinet compartment or, in general, a place where the laundry items to be treated are temporarily stored before treatment.

The laundry container cannot have an internal structure, so that laundry items are stored therein without order. However, in order to better sort the items of laundry and to subsequently carry out the treatment (in particular the washing process), it is advantageous if the laundry container can have a compartment (Fach) for different batches of laundry. In order to make effective use of the compartments, in this embodiment, after the items of laundry have been recorded, a recommendation is displayed to the user, for example on a display of the scanner, to assign the recorded items of laundry to a defined compartment.

In a supplementary or alternative embodiment of the method according to the invention, the laundry container comprises a device for combining laundry items of a laundry batch taken out of the laundry container for at least one treatment program. In this case, this may involve, for example, a robot which combines the items of laundry of such laundry batches according to the analysis result. The user can then take the combined batch of laundry out and introduce it into the laundry treatment appliance. Alternatively, a suitable conveying device can undertake the transport to and the placement into the laundry treatment appliance.

The subject matter of the invention is also a scanning system for sorting laundry items to be treated, comprising a scanner for fastening to a laundry container, which scanner comprises a scanning unit arranged for determining the nature of the laundry items and/or of stains present on these laundry items, an interface for wireless communication, a control unit and a holding element, and an external server and/or a mobile display and/or operating unit for wireless communication with the scanner.

The term "treatment" here encompasses, in particular, the cleaning of laundry items, preferably by a washing method in a domestic appliance. However, the term "treating" as used herein also includes drying, staining and soaking of laundry items. The laundry items to be treated therefore preferably relate to laundry items to be cleaned by washing. Not only washing by hand (hand washing) but also washing in a washing machine or a washer dryer can be considered here. Thus, the treatment program may also include hand washing.

In a preferred embodiment of the scanning system, the scanning unit has an IR spectrometer with a radiation source and a radiation detector and/or an RGB sensor. According to the present invention, the configuration of the scanning unit is not limited.

The scanning system is preferably arranged for carrying out a method for sorting laundry items to be treated, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a laundry container for laundry items to be treated, wherein a scanner is mounted on the laundry container, said scanner comprising a scanning unit, an interface for wireless communication, a control unit and a holding element, said scanning unit being arranged for determining the nature of the laundry items and/or the nature of stains present on the laundry items, and an external server and/or a mobile display and/or operating unit being provided for wireless communication with said scanner;

(b) scanning the laundry items brought in front of the scanning unit in terms of the composition of the laundry items and/or the composition of stains located on said laundry items as an analysis result;

(c) introducing the laundry items scanned in step (b) into the laundry container, thereby enabling recording of the laundry items introduced into the laundry container based on the results of the analysis of the laundry items;

(d) creating a inventory of laundry items present in the laundry container after introduction according to step (c), wherein each laundry item is assigned a characteristic important for the treatment;

(e) evaluating a list of contents for the batch of laundry to be extracted for at least one treatment program from the list of contents; and

(f) the result of the evaluation is displayed on a display device.

In a preferred embodiment, the scanning system is provided for specifying (i.e. suggesting and/or automatically executing) a treatment program to the user for the laundry batches determined in step (e) or for taking into account a predefined treatment program when combining the laundry batches in step (e).

Provision may be made for the user to be informed by means of a display device when scanning the items to be washed: for example, the laundry items can be treated by a predefined treatment program or generally cannot be treated by a treatment program available in the assigned laundry treatment appliance. The laundry treatment appliance is dispensed when it is in the same household and in particular in an in-home network which also comprises a scanning system.

The scanning system is preferably arranged for identifying soiling on the laundry items. The term "detecting soiling on laundry items" is to be interpreted broadly here. In particular, the following is also detected thereby: the scanner scans the laundry item (typically at the reference site and the spot site) and sends the measured IR spectrum and/or RGB values to an external appliance (e.g. an external server) for further evaluation. The results of the assessment are then typically sent back to the scanner and displayed to the user of the scanner (typically together with a recommendation for further action to remove the smudge, i.e. stain). When a mobile display and/or operating unit (for example a smartphone) is used, the results of the evaluation can also be sent, preferably or alternatively, to the mobile display and/or operating unit.

In a further preferred embodiment, the scanning system and in particular the scanner thereof has a motion detector. It is then preferred that the scanner also adopts a Standby mode (Standby-Modus) after switching on, from which it can be woken up again when a movement is detected by the movement detector. The scanner is then preferably in a ready mode (Bereitschaftsmodus) in which items to be washed can be scanned.

The term "laundry batch" relates in particular to a group of laundry items which can be treated with a defined treatment program (in particular a washing program).

In a preferred embodiment, the scanning system according to the invention is provided with a holding element which allows mounting on a laundry container (e.g. a laundry basket) or other container or washing machine. According to the invention, the holding element is not limited thereto, as long as it can be used, for example, for mounting the scanner on a laundry basket. In a preferred embodiment, the holding element is a flexible strip which is mounted on the scanner and has a width such that it can be securely mounted on the laundry container. The holding element preferably also has a magnet, so that the holding function can be supported (for example in the case of a thin-walled dish washing basket). For example, a magnet or ferrous part on the rear wall of the scanner may be assigned to a corresponding ferrous part or magnet at the end of the fixation strap, thereby supporting the fixation.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the scanning system according to the invention, the laundry container has at least one sensor for a condition in the laundry container. For this purpose, temperature sensors and/or moisture sensors are preferably used. Particularly preferably, a temperature sensor and a humidity sensor are used. In general, the storage time of the items to be treated in the laundry container should be as short as possible at higher temperatures and/or higher humidity values, the air humidity usually being measured.

The display device of step (f) may for example relate to a touch sensitive display of the scanner and/or an external operating and/or display unit (e.g. a smartphone or tablet computer). When using one of the two mobile appliances, the user can check anywhere whether the respective laundry item is still in the laundry container (for example a dirty laundry container) or has been washed, for example.

Different information in the form of recommendations or facts can be displayed to the user on the display device. The user can thus be informed, for example by the App in the smartphone or tablet computer, about the current status of his laundry items. The user can be informed whether the laundry items are already in the dirty laundry container, for example, and which laundry items are already in the dirty laundry container and which laundry items are not. The latter would mean in particular that these laundry items can still be used as clean laundry items in a wardrobe. In particular, the user can also be given advice in the display device about the (possibly preferred) best washing object, wherein preferably the changing target of the user can also be taken into account. For example, the recommendation is determined according to a determined algorithm based on information in a database in the cloud.

The scanning system can be started up in different ways. When referring to scanning herein, one-time scanning may be referred to as follows: possible soiling is not particularly taken into account in this one-time scan, in that generally any part of the laundry item is scanned.

In a preferred embodiment, the scanners are switched on individually in order to carry out the method according to the invention. In this case, after the scanner is switched on, the items to be washed can be scanned in. If the desired items of laundry are scanned in, the scanner is typically turned off. In principle, it is also possible here to switch over to the standby mode after a predetermined time.

However, the scanning of the laundry items is preferably performed at least twice. In this case, a clean reference area and at least one spot area are preferably scanned. The scanner is preferably or can be set by the user in such a way that it assigns these different scans to specific items to be washed.

It may also be provided that the scanning system is capable of receiving further input from the user when actually touching, for example, a touch-sensitive display. The corresponding input menu is then displayed to the user, typically via a touch sensitive display.

Finally, the subject of the invention is also a method for sorting laundry items to be treated, comprising the following steps:

(f) the result of the evaluation is displayed on a display device.

The items of laundry to be treated preferably relate to the items of laundry to be cleaned.

Preferably, the following steps are performed in the method according to the invention:

(i) performing a first scan of the at least one laundry item at the reference site with the scanner and receiving the IR spectrum and/or RGB sensor signals;

(ii) (ii) transmitting the IR spectrum obtained in step (i) and/or the RGB sensor signals obtained in step (i) as first data to an external server;

(iii) (ii) performing a second scan of the at least one laundry item of step (i) with the scanner at a soiled portion of the at least one laundry item having soiling;

(iv) (iv) transmitting the IR spectrum obtained in step (iii) and/or the RGB sensor signals obtained in step (iii) as second data to an external server;

(v) evaluating the IR spectrum and/or RGB sensor signals as third data in terms of type and/or amount of soiling; and

(vi) the third data are transmitted to the scanner, to an external display and input unit and/or to the laundry treatment appliance.

In the method according to the invention, at least two IR spectra are preferably taken from each laundry item by means of a scanning unit, which are then typically sent to an external server with suitable software, which may also be referred to as "(stoichiometric) cloud prediction model".

The reference location is typically an uncontaminated location on the laundry item that serves as a reference. According to the invention, the reference location can also be located on a clean laundry item.

Here, the "spot portion" has the same meaning as the "spot portion having stains". Since soiled laundry items may have a plurality of different stains, it is possible, in accordance with the inventive arrangements, to carry out step (iii) one or more times, so as to take into account a plurality of stains if necessary. The second data then preferably comprises data on a plurality of stains.

The spot area essentially comprises a mixture of a plurality of substances which form a stain and which are located on the fibers of the laundry item.

In one embodiment of the invention, the fiber material and the fiber content are advantageously determined in the external server on the basis of the first and second data in addition to the soiling of the laundry items. These may then be displayed to the user as part of the third data.

In this case, it is preferred that the third data are transmitted to the scanner, where they are displayed, for example on a touch-sensitive display, preferably in the form of selection possibilities, and the user can make additional inputs for soiling and preferably for the measured laundry items on the basis of the third data. Here, connections to other appliances are also possible, so that for example a display can also be made on a smartphone or tablet.

In general, a still more suitable laundry treatment program or stain removal program is suggested or selected on the basis of these inputs by the user, which enables improved stain removal. Such a laundry treatment program or stain removal program can be stored in the control unit of the scanner or in the accessible control unit of the household appliance. However, according to the invention, the user can also modify the program to be executed in the laundry treatment appliance, for example by means of other inputs on the scanner, for example the drum rotational speed, the duration and direction of the drum rotation, the treatment temperature.

Finally, other soiling-removing recommendations can also be made to the user of the scanner, wherein the recommended measures do not necessarily have to be carried out in the laundry treatment appliance. It is therefore also possible to advise the user of the scanner to soak the items to be washed, wherein advice can be made about the duration and temperature of the soaking, i.e. in particular can be displayed on the scanner.

If the user additionally enters the measured soiling and laundry items, for example by selecting a soil type and a laundry type or a group of laundry types, a plurality of laundry treatment programs (for example washing or drying programs) can be assigned to this selection. Based on the determined color or color class and the mechanical energy input allowed by the selected laundry item, the number of possible treatment programs to achieve soil removal can be greatly limited, so that an optimal treatment program is suggested or automatically performed to the user.

In the method according to the invention, the color information is preferably received by means of an RGB sensor and preferably transmitted to the cloud prediction model on an external server. These color information are usually three color values (red, green and blue, respectively) of a clean part of the items to be washed, in particular a reference area. Furthermore, a so-called net value (Clear-Wert) is usually received by the RGB sensor, which corresponds to the total retroreflected light. The net value is then usually referred to here.

Likewise, three corresponding color values (red, green and blue) are typically recorded for one or more stains located on the laundry items, respectively. In addition, a net value is usually also recorded here, which corresponds to the total retroreflected light. The net value is then referred to here.

In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the treatment program is provided to the user (i.e. suggested and/or automatically executed) for the laundry batches determined in step (e), or a predefined treatment program is taken into account when combining the laundry batches in step (e).

In principle, therefore, two possibilities are made possible with regard to the operation of the scanner, which indicate whether the laundry container is to be filled within a predefined longer or shorter time period before the treatment program is executed. In the latter case, it is generally provided that the items of laundry introduced into the laundry receptacle (also referred to as short-term laundry basket) are to be washed as far together as possible.

In such a short-term laundry basket, the scanning system is preferably provided for automatically selecting a washing program on the basis of the scanning of the laundry that has taken place, wherein the user's specification also influences the selection of such a washing program if necessary. Preferably, the scanning system is provided for informing the user: certain laundry items cannot be washed together with other laundry items in the laundry basket. The reason for this can preferably also be displayed to the user. For example, it may be indicated to the user that the laundry item may be unclean and/or may be damaged. In an embodiment of the invention (where the user can determine the washing program himself), the user can then decide whether he still wants to add laundry to the batch of laundry or whether he wants to match the treatment program.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the washing program desired by the user is specified, for example, manually set, for example, on a washing machine or on a mobile display and/or operating unit (for example, a mobile phone or tablet computer). Here, the scanned laundry may not be washed together with the remaining laundry items. Then, the reason can also be given here as described above, and if possible, a new washing recommendation can also be given based on the previously scanned items to be washed. The user may then preferably select himself whether he wants to e.g. keep a manually set washing program or accept a newly recommended washing program.

In the method according to the invention, it is preferred in step (d) that the characteristics which are important for the treatment of the laundry items comprise the type, the material, the color, the point in time of introduction into the laundry container and/or the inventory of such laundry items or comparable laundry items.

Furthermore, a method is preferred in which the items of laundry in the laundry container are arranged in a treatment batch taking into account properties that are important for the treatment of the items of laundry.

In a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, in the method, a laundry basket (laundry batch) for a washing program to be carried out for a short period of time is combined or filled, preferably with feedback as to whether it can be washed together with the items of laundry already in the laundry basket. Here, the appropriate washing program may be determined automatically or selected manually by the user. The feedback may be via a display screen on the scanner and/or an external operating and/or display unit.

If the scanner is arranged for determining soiling, the user is preferably prompted by, for example, a touch-sensitive display mounted on the scanner and/or by an external operating and/or display unit (for example a mobile telephone or tablet computer): first, a clean site (reference site) is scanned, and then a soiled site (stained site) is scanned. According to the invention, preferably, a dark spectrum is automatically recorded at the switched-off illumination source immediately before scanning of the clean site (performed at the switched-on illumination source), which is then usually also sent to an external server. Preferably, the dark spectrum is taken into account when evaluating the first and second data.

In order to obtain the reflectance spectrum R of the stain itself (i.e. to exclude the influence of the material of the laundry), the reflectance spectrum I taken at the stained area is compared with the reflectance spectrum I at a reference area (usually a clean area)_cA comparison is made. The reflection spectrum of the stain itself obtained in this way contains, for example, qualitative and quantitative information of the substance in the stain, which information is analyzed, for example, on an external server (i.e. in the cloud), usually by applying chemometric algorithms (e.g. PLS-DA, SIMCA, PLS regression or integrated methods).

Furthermore, in the method according to the invention, it is preferred that the first data and the second data are assigned to different contaminations depending on the contamination determined in the external server. Soiling (i.e. stains) usually comprises hydrocarbons, fats, proteins, inorganic and organic acids and/or sugars, wherein the share of these chemical components is usually different.

In this case, the individual soiling substances can be assigned to different soiling category, which are usually assigned in the washing machine in each case as laundry treatment program a so-called stain removal program, in order to be able to remove the soiling substances from the laundry items most effectively. These classes of stains are: red wine, coffee, tea, cosmetics (e.g. lipstick), eggs, chocolate, tomatoes, butter/oil, baby food, blood, stains on socks, sweat, earth/sand, strawberries and oranges.

These stain classes are typically separately assigned characterizing chemicals. By evaluating the RGB sensor data and the IR spectrum, these chemicals can be determined, so that the soiling on the laundry items can be assigned to a soil class. The more chemicals stored (e.g., on the external server described above) in the form of their IR spectra and RGB data, the more accurate the determination of the contamination can be made.

The allocation of the characteristics in step (d) can be carried out via an already existing database in which data provided by the manufacturer of the laundry items can be used if necessary. However, if necessary, the user may extract the washing and care information from the laundry and directly assign it to the laundry. This can be done, for example, manually or by copying the care label. The user can also add additional information, such as purchase date, subjectively determined soiling, color, etc. The user can in any case create his own list of contents as a personal database, which can for example be destined to be stored in the cloud (as part of or assigned to an external server). The personal database may also be provided for other services if desired. However, alternatively or additionally, local storage of the personal database (i.e. storage in a domestic appliance or in a mobile appliance such as a smartphone or tablet) is possible.

Information about the laundry treatment appliances available in the household and their possible loading and treatment programs can preferably be stored in the personal database and taken into account by suitable algorithms (or evaluation software in general) for determining the laundry batches and, if necessary, treatment recommendations.

The personal database preferably contains areas relating to the contents of the laundry container and the contents of the wardrobe, which areas together define the laundry inventory of the relevant household or household personnel if all laundry items not present in the laundry container are assigned to the wardrobe.

The evaluation of the bill of contents according to step (d) may then also include the absence or presence of the same type of clean laundry items in the wardrobe.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, all laundry items which have been introduced into the laundry container up to this point are therefore evaluated with regard to the laundry inventory. This enables the user to better organize the items of laundry to be treated, since the user can determine how many (for example of a laundry type) still clean items of laundry are still present in the wardrobe on the basis of the amount of laundry and a comparison with the contents of the laundry container. This assumes that the laundry inventory is updated with respect to the items of laundry removed from the laundry inventory. This may be done automatically, for example, by placing the scanner in a wardrobe or by user input (e.g., through a touch-sensitive display of a portable mobile appliance). In any case, this statement is preferably also taken into account in the evaluation according to step (d).

According to the invention, a warning message can also be output to the user on the display device when it has been determined that there are no more laundry items of the predefined type in the wardrobe.

In a preferred embodiment of the method, the introduction of laundry items into the laundry receptacle and the removal of laundry items from the laundry receptacle are evaluated with respect to user behavior over a predefined reference time period. This is possible in particular if the evaluation software also takes into account the point in time of addition to the laundry container, the holding time (i.e. the storage time in the laundry container) and the point in time of removal of the laundry items. In this way, for example, the textile flow, the washing frequency and the wearing frequency of the individual items of laundry can be determined. This information may also be used for other services.

Furthermore, it is preferred according to the invention that the items of laundry in the laundry container are arranged in the treatment batch taking into account characteristics which are important for the treatment of the items of laundry. In this case, the processing batch is preferably displayed to the user on a display device automatically or on request of the user. It is further preferred here that the display of the processing batch takes place in accordance with a predefined priority of the processing batch. In contrast to the term "laundry batch", the term "treatment batch" means here that a spatial combination of the laundry items of the laundry batch has taken place or is present.

It is generally preferred that in step (d) also more or less spontaneous prescriptions of the user are carried out, i.e. the batches of laundry to be treated are recommended in accordance with these prescriptions. Therefore, a user of the washing machine or the washer-dryer may desire to wash as many dirty laundry as possible in as few times as possible at a certain point in time. The cloud can then calculate, for example, the most efficient division of the dirty laundry in the laundry container into different laundry batches by means of an algorithm, wherein loading recommendations, textile type, color, temperature, etc. can be taken into account. In this case, the characteristics of one or more laundry treatment appliances in the household, in particular the possibility of carrying out a treatment program, can also be taken into account.

On the other hand, the user may desire to immediately wash a portion of the dirty laundry. The evaluation in the cloud can then inform the user which dirty laundry items can also be washed together here.

With regard to the evaluation in step (d), the user can also specify, for example, by means of suitable instructions to be taken into account by the evaluation software: the dirty laundry is stored in a dirty and damp manner for a short period of time. In the sense of the invention, this hygienic aspect can be of interest in particular in habitats, treatment vessels with high humidity and temperature. When the predetermined residence time is reached or exceeded, the arrangement according to the invention of the items of laundry to be treated can provide a recommendation for the laundry to be washed and a corresponding display on the display device, wherein in particular the ambient temperature and the air humidity can be taken into account in the calculation of the residence time.

The laundry treatment appliance used in the sense of the present invention is not limited according to the present invention. In a preferred embodiment, however, the laundry treatment appliance is a washing machine or a washer-dryer.

The laundry treatment appliance usable for the purposes of the present invention preferably comprises an interface for wireless data transmission, so that it can be integrated into the scanning system according to the invention. The laundry treatment appliance can then transmit information about the executable treatment program to the remaining components of the scanning system, on the one hand, and information about the treatment program to be executed, or the laundry batch to be treated, on the other hand, via its control unit. The latter is particularly relevant if the laundry container is filled in the sense of the invention in respect of a treatment program to be carried out for a short period of time, immediately before being introduced into the laundry treatment program.

The present invention has numerous advantages. The invention enables the user of the invention to obtain an optimal suggestion about the classification of the laundry, wherein the user's goal can be predetermined. In general, it is possible to improve the efficiency of the laundry treatment, not only the efficiency of the sorting of the laundry items to be treated (i.e. in particular to be cleaned by washing), but also the efficiency of their actual treatment (in particular in laundry treatment appliances such as washing machines). The user can thus save time and effort, since in the embodiment of the invention he can always wash the laundry batch to the greatest possible extent and therefore has less washing load overall. Furthermore, the user can use the specific program better and with less effort for the targeted treatment (especially cleaning) of his laundry items and thus more differently attend to his laundry items. In addition, resource-saving laundry treatment can be realized. In general, small laundry batches for the treatment program can be avoided, since in an embodiment of the invention, small laundry batches can be filled with suitable further laundry items in an emergency. Finally, improved efficiency can be achieved by integration into everyday life. That is, the user is enabled, for example, to optimally integrate laundry care into daily life, since he can obtain advice in the embodiments of the invention, for example, the laundry treatment can be matched to a fixed time slot between two activity schedules. The invention enables the items of laundry to be scanned already at an earlier point in time, i.e. when the items of laundry to be treated are brought into the "basket of laundry". In this case, only a single, at least a few items of laundry are usually thrown into the container at one time. Then, a large number of laundry items can be simply scanned.

The invention enables in an embodiment to obtain information about the soiling of the items of laundry and their removal in a simple and quick manner. Here, the user of the scanner can obtain advice about a suitable decontamination procedure or other stain removal method in the household appliance. Furthermore, the invention makes it possible to realize identification and communication possibilities between the user, the laundry treatment appliance and the laundry items to be cleaned, wherein the user is supported by the scanner and the scanning system according to the invention in his decision about laundry treatment or stain removal. However, it is also possible in principle for the combined wash batches in the wash basket to start the washing program with suitable stain removal directly (i.e. without further decision of the user) after introduction into the washing machine. Here, different types and amounts of soiling as well as different textile materials, types of clothing and colors can generally be taken into account. By means of the possible optimized laundry treatment according to the invention (in particular stain removal), negative effects of the laundry treatment program on the laundry items themselves, such as color loss, damage and wear, can be prevented or at least significantly reduced.

The invention enables a user of a suitable laundry treatment appliance to connect and control the laundry treatment appliance simply and conveniently. All this can be achieved with a minimum of user interaction according to the invention.

In an embodiment of the invention, the user can also obtain an improved overview of his laundry items, not only with respect to clean laundry items in a wardrobe, but also with respect to laundry items to be washed in a laundry container. Finally, it should be pointed out that the invention enables improved hygiene to be achieved, since long storage of soiled and possibly damp items of laundry can be avoided.

Overall, the invention makes it possible to combine suitable laundry batches automatically (if necessary changed due to a user's specification) for optimum laundry care and to display them as suggestions to the user on the basis of the contents of the laundry container. In an embodiment of the invention, the laundry treatment appliance, which may be included in the home network, can then be arranged for preparing and/or executing a laundry treatment program by input to an external operating and/or display unit (e.g. a smartphone or tablet computer).

Drawings

Further details of the invention emerge from the following description of non-limiting embodiments. Reference is made herein to fig. 1 and 2.

Fig. 1 schematically shows a first embodiment of a scanning system for sorting laundry items according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 shows an enlarged view of a scanner used in the scanning system of fig. 1.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 schematically shows a first embodiment of a scanning system 1 according to the invention for sorting laundry items 12 to be treated. The laundry items 12 are already placed in the laundry container 11. The scanner 2 is suspended in the upper region of the laundry container 11 by means of the retaining element 6 on the laundry container wall 13 and is therefore assigned to it. In the embodiment shown here, the fixation of the scanner 2 on the laundry container 11 is supported by the interaction of a magnet 9 on the holding element 6 and an iron block 10 on the rear wall of the scanner 2, which iron block is complementary to the magnet 9.

In the embodiment shown here, the scanner 2 is equipped with an interface 4 for wireless communication with an external server 15 and a mobile telephone (in particular a smartphone) 14 as external operating and/or display unit. In the embodiment shown here, the wireless communication also enables access to a washing machine (not shown here) provided with an interface for wireless communication.

In this embodiment, the external server 15 in the cloud evaluates the information transmitted by the scanner 2, which information includes a description of the position of the scanner, here the position of the dirty laundry container as laundry container 11 relative to the laundry items 12 scanned by the scanning unit 3 and introduced into the laundry container 11, and creates a list of contents in which the laundry items 12 present in the laundry container 11 and the properties of the laundry items 12 assigned to them, which properties are meaningful here for the washing of the laundry items 12, are recorded. Additionally, a description of the laundry care appliances present in the household concerned and their properties is also contained in the personal database, since the available laundry care appliances also have an influence on the determination of the laundry batch.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 1, the scanner 2 also has a touch-sensitive display 8. The results of the scanning of step (b) of the method according to the invention, which results, if necessary after evaluation by the server 15 in the cloud, for example relate to the contents of the laundry container 11 or a recommendation for a laundry batch with the laundry to be washed, can be displayed on the display.

The smartphone 14 may be considered herein in addition to or instead of the touch-sensitive display 8. In particular, the scanner 2 can also be controlled here by means of the smartphone 14. Furthermore, the smartphone 14 may also serve as a connection between the scanner 2 and a washing machine, not shown here, so that the user can control the washing machine in a suitable manner depending on the result of the scanner 2.

The scanner 2 has a control unit 5, which, in the embodiment shown here, controls, inter alia, the scanning by means of the scanning unit 3 and the communication with an external server 15, a smartphone 14 and a washing machine not shown here.

7 means a motion detector. If the motion detector 7 determines that there is motion, the scanner 2 is made ready so that the laundry items 12 held in front of the scanning unit 3 are scanned for a few seconds. The scanner 2 is provided here to enable the setting that each scanning process corresponds to only one laundry item 12 or that each laundry item 12 is scanned at least twice (i.e. in clean places and on soiling) in order to obtain further information for a washing program to be executed later in the washing machine.

Fig. 2 shows an enlarged view of the scanner 2 used in the scanning system of fig. 1. The scanner 2 has a scanning unit 3, a touch-sensitive display 8, a motion sensor 7, a control unit 5 and an interface 4 for wireless communication with other appliances not shown here, such as external servers and mobile terminal appliances like smartphones and washing machines.

The scanner 2 has a wide flexible strip as a holding element 6. The holding element 6 has a magnet 9 at its end, which can interact with an iron block 10 on the rear wall of the scanner 2, in order to thus enable better mounting of the scanner 2 on a laundry receptacle, not shown here.

List of reference numerals

1 scanning system

2 scanner

3 scanning unit

4 interface for wireless communication

5 control unit of scanner

6 holding element

7 motion detector

8 (touch sensitive) display

9 magnet

10 iron block complementary to magnet

11 Container for washings

12 washing article

13 container wall for washing articles

14 an operating and/or display unit external to the housing; smart phone and tablet computer

15 (in cloud) external servers

Claims

1. A scanner (2) for attachment to a laundry container (13), comprising a scanning unit (3) which is provided for determining the composition of laundry items (12) and/or the composition of dirt located on these laundry items (12), an interface (4) for wireless communication, a control unit (5) and a holding element (6).

2. The scanner (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a display (8).

3. Scanner (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it has a motion detector (7).

4. Scanner (2) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a flexible strip element is used as holding element (6).

5. Scanner (2) according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises a magnet (9) and/or an iron block (10).

6. Scanner (2) according to one of the claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the scanning unit (3) has an IR spectrometer with a radiation source and a radiation detector and/or an RGB sensor.

7. Scanner (2) according to claim 6, characterized in that the scanning unit (3) has a NIR spectrometer and an RGB sensor.

8. A scanning system (1) for sorting laundry items (2) to be treated, comprising a scanner (2) for fastening on a laundry container (11), which scanner comprises a scanning unit (3) which is arranged for determining the nature of laundry items (12) and/or of stains present on these laundry items (12), an interface (4) for wireless communication, a control unit (5) and a holding element (6), and an external server (15) and/or a mobile display and/or operating unit (14) which is arranged for wireless communication with the scanner (2).

9. The scanning system (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the scanning unit (3) has an IR spectrometer with a radiation source and a radiation detector and/or an RGB sensor.

10. Scanning system (1) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that it is provided for carrying out a method for sorting laundry items (12) to be treated, comprising the steps of:

(a) -providing a laundry container (11) for laundry items (12) to be treated, wherein a scanner (2) is mounted on the laundry container (11), said scanner comprising a scanning unit (3) arranged for determining the nature of the laundry items (12) and/or of stains present on these laundry items (12), an interface (4) for wireless communication, a control unit (5) and a holding element (6), and an external server (15) and/or a mobile display and/or operating unit (14) arranged for wireless communication with the scanner (2);

(b) scanning the laundry items (12) brought in front of the scanning unit (3) as an analysis result with respect to the composition of the laundry items (12) and/or the composition of stains located on the laundry items (12);

(c) introducing the laundry items (12) scanned in step (b) into the laundry container (11), so that the laundry items (12) introduced into the laundry container (11) can be recorded on the basis of the result of the analysis of the laundry items (12);

(d) creating a list of contents of laundry items (12) present in the laundry container (11) after the introduction according to step (c), wherein each laundry item (12) is assigned a property important for the treatment;

(e) evaluating said inventory in respect of laundry batches to be extracted for at least one process from said inventory;

(f) the result of the evaluation is displayed on a display device (8, 14).

11. Scanning system (1) according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the scanning system (1) is provided for specifying a treatment program to the user for the laundry batches determined in step (e) or for taking into account a predefined treatment program when combining the laundry batches in step (e).

12. A method for sorting laundry items (12) to be treated, the method comprising the steps of:

(f) the result of the evaluation is displayed on a display device (8, 14).

13. Method according to claim 12, characterized in that the items of laundry (12) to be treated relate to items of laundry to be cleaned.

14. Method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the characteristics which are relevant for the treatment of the laundry items (12) comprise the type, material, colour, point of time of introduction into the laundry container (11) and/or the inventory of such laundry items or comparable laundry items (12).

15. Method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the laundry items (12) in the laundry container (11) are arranged in a treatment batch taking into account characteristics important for the treatment of the laundry items (12).