Laundry treating appliance with bulky item detection

• US 8,528,230 B2
• Filed: 02/19/2009
• Issued: 09/10/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Original Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Inventors: Ashrafzadeh, Farhad, Carow, James P., Kanchanavally, Shreecharan
• Primary Examiner(s): Rinehart, Kenneth
• Assistant Examiner(s): MCCORMACK, JOHN PATRICK
• Application Number:
  US12/388,620
• Publication Number:
  US 20100205825A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,664 Days
• Field of Search: 344/86, 344/45, 345/24, 345/29, 344/49, 34/88, 345/60, 341/30, 813/7, 356/914, 73/15.6, 382/107.111, 725/12, 700/259, 700/275, 116/213
• US Class Current: 34/560
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2103/02 Characteristics of laundry or load
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2105/02 Water supply
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2105/20 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2105/38 Conditioning or finishing, e.g. control of perfume injection
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2105/46 Drum speed; Actuation of motors, e.g. starting or interrupting
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2105/48 Drum speed
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 2105/52 Changing sequence of operational steps; Carrying out additional operational steps; Modifying operational steps, e.g. by extending duration of steps
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 25/00 Washing machines with receptacles, e.g. perforated, having a rotary movement, e.g. oscillatory movement, the receptacle serving both for washing and for centrifugally separating water from the laundry and having further drying means, e.g. using hot air control of washing or of washing and drying D06F33/00, D06F34/00; domestic laundry dryers D06F58/00
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 33/00 Control of operations performed in washing machines or washer-dryers D06F31/00 takes precedence; details of control systems therefor D06F34/00; control of operations performed in domestic laundry dryers D06F58/32
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 33/32 Control of operational steps, e.g. optimisation or improvement of operational steps depending on the condition of the laundry
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 33/52 Control of the operational steps, e.g. optimisation or improvement of operational steps depending on the condition of the laundry
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 34/18 Condition of the laundry, e.g. nature or weight
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 34/28 Arrangements for program selection, e.g. control panels therefor; Arrangements for indicating program parameters, e.g. the selected program or its progress
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 58/02 having dryer drums rotating about a horizontal axis
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 58/203 Laundry conditioning arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 58/30 Drying processes controlling a series of operations in domestic laundry dryers D06F58/32
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 58/36 Control of operational steps, e.g. for optimisation or improvement of operational steps depending on the condition of the laundry
• CPC Class Codes: F26B 11/02 in moving drums or other mainly-closed receptacles F26B11/18 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F26B 25/00 Details of general application not covered by group F26B21/00 or F26B23/00 loading, conveying, and unloading in general B65G

Abstract

A laundry treating appliance and method for controlling the operation of a laundry treating appliance comprising a treating chamber by determining the presence of a bulky laundry item based on image data of the laundry.

Claims

1. A method for controlling an operation of a laundry treating appliance comprising a rotatable drum at least partially defining a treating chamber for receiving laundry for treatment in accordance with a treating cycle of operation, the method comprising:

imaging the laundry to generate image data with an imaging device having at least a portion located within the laundry treating appliance during execution of the cycle of operation;

comparing the image data to reference image data indicative of either bulky or non-bulky items by a controller having memory in which is stored computer software for comparing the image data; and

determining a presence of a bulky laundry item based on the comparison of the image data to reference image data.

2. The method according to claim 1, and further comprising setting at least one parameter of the treating cycle of operation based on the determined presence of a bulky laundry item.

3. The method according to claim 2 wherein the at least one parameter is one of a rotational speed of a drum, a direction of drum rotation, a temperature in the treating chamber, an air flow through the treating chamber, a type of treating chemistry, an amount of treating chemistry, a start of cycle condition, an end of cycle condition, a start of cycle step condition, an end of cycle step condition, a rotational speed of an agitator, a direction of agitator rotation, or a wash liquid fill level.

4. The method according to claim 1, and further comprising selecting the treating cycle of operation based on the determined presence of a bulky laundry item.

5. The method according to claim 1 wherein the imaging comprises capturing at least one image of a portion of the treating chamber.

6. The method according to claim 5 wherein determining the presence of a bulky laundry item comprises analyzing the at least one image by isolating the laundry from a background in the at least one image.

7. The method according to claim 1 wherein the imaging comprises taking at least one of a still image or a moving image.

8. The method according to claim 7 wherein the imaging comprises capturing a digital image.

9. The method according to claim 1 wherein the imaging comprises taking at least one of a visible light image, an ultraviolet light image or an infrared image.

10. A method for controlling an operation of a laundry treating appliance comprising a rotatable drum at least partially defining a treating chamber for receiving laundry for treatment in accordance with a treating cycle of operation, the method comprising:

imaging the laundry to generate image data with an imaging device having at least a portion located within the laundry treating appliance during execution of the cycle of operation;

comparing a movement of a feature of the laundry relative to the drum by processing the image data with computer software stored in a controller; and

determining a presence of a bulky laundry item based on the comparison of the movement of the feature of the laundry relative to the drum.

11. The method according to claim 10, and further comprising setting at least one parameter of the treating cycle of operation based on the determined presence of a bulky laundry item.

12. The method according to claim 11 wherein the at least one parameter is one of a rotational speed of a drum, a direction of drum rotation, a temperature in the treating chamber, an air flow through the treating chamber, a type of treating chemistry, an amount of treating chemistry, a start of cycle condition, an end of cycle condition, a start of cycle step condition, an end of cycle step condition, a rotational speed of an agitator, a direction of agitator rotation, or a wash liquid fill level.

13. The method according to claim 10, and further comprising selecting the treating cycle of operation based on the determined presence of a bulky laundry item.

14. The method according to claim 10 wherein the imaging comprises capturing at least one image of a portion of the treating chamber.

15. The method according to claim 14 wherein determining the presence of a bulky laundry item comprises analyzing the at least one image by isolating the laundry from a background in the at least one image.

16. The method according to claim 10 wherein the comparing the movement comprises comparing the movement of the feature to a movement of the drum.

17. The method according to claim 16 wherein the comparing the movement of the feature comprises identifying an edge feature.

18. The method according to claim 17 wherein the identifying an edge feature comprises identifying at least one of an entire edge, a portion of an edge, or a prominent edge feature.

19. The method according to claim 10 wherein the imaging comprises taking at least one of a still image or a moving image.

20. The method according to claim 19 wherein the imaging comprises capturing a digital image.

21. The method according to claim 10 wherein the imaging comprises taking at least one of a visible light image, an ultraviolet light image or an infrared image.

22. A method for controlling an operation of a laundry treating appliance comprising a rotatable drum at least partially defining a treating chamber for receiving laundry for treatment in accordance with a treating cycle of operation, the method comprising:

imaging the laundry to generate image data with an imaging device having at least a portion located within the laundry treating appliance during execution of the cycle of operation;

determining a color signature of at least a portion of the laundry from the image data by processing the image data with computer software stored in a controller; and

determining a presence of a bulky laundry item based on the determined color signature.

23. The method according to claim 22, and further comprising comparing the color signature to a reference color signature.

24. The method according to claim 22, and further comprising setting at least one parameter of the treating cycle of operation based on the determined presence of a bulky laundry item.

25. The method according to claim 24 wherein the at least one parameter is one of a rotational speed of a drum, a direction of drum rotation, a temperature in the treating chamber, an air flow through the treating chamber, a type of treating chemistry, an amount of treating chemistry, a start of cycle condition, an end of cycle condition, a start of cycle step condition, an end of cycle step condition, a rotational speed of an agitator, a direction of agitator rotation, or a wash liquid fill level.

26. The method according to claim 22, and further comprising selecting the treating cycle of operation based on the determined presence of a bulky laundry item.

27. The method according to claim 22 wherein the imaging comprises capturing at least one image of a portion of the treating chamber.

28. The method according to claim 27 wherein determining the presence of a bulky laundry item comprises analyzing the at least one image by isolating the laundry from a background in the at least one image.

29. The method according to claim 22 wherein the imaging comprises taking at least one of a still image or a moving image.

30. The method according to claim 29 wherein the imaging comprises capturing a digital image.

31. The method according to claim 22 wherein the imaging comprises taking at least one of a visible light image, an ultraviolet light image or an infrared image.

32. A method for controlling an operation of a laundry treating appliance comprising a rotatable drum at least partially defining a treating chamber for receiving laundry for treatment in accordance with a treating cycle of operation, the method comprising:

automatically determining by a controller having memory storing computer software for controlling the operation of the laundry treating appliance, a presence of a bulky laundry item in the treating chamber;

setting at least one parameter of a treating cycle of operation of the laundry treating appliance based on the determined presence of a bulky laundry item; and

dispensing a treating chemistry into the treating chamber;

wherein at least one of a type or amount of the treating chemistry is selected based on the determined presence of a bulky laundry item.

33. The method according to claim 32 wherein the at least one parameter is one of a rotational speed of a drum, a direction of drum rotation, a temperature in the treating chamber, an air flow through the treating chamber, a start of cycle condition, an end of cycle condition, a start of cycle step condition, an end of cycle step condition, a rotational speed of an agitator, a direction of agitator rotation, or a wash liquid fill level.

34. The method according to claim 32, further comprising capturing at least one image of at least a portion of the treating chamber, and wherein determining the presence of a bulky laundry item comprises analyzing the at least one image by isolating the laundry from a background in the at least one image.

35. The method according to claim 32, further comprising imaging the laundry to generate image data, and wherein the determination of the presence of a bulky item comprises comparing the image data to reference image data indicative of either bulky or non-bulky laundry items.

36. The method according to claim 35 wherein the determination of the presence of a bulky laundry item comprises determining a color signature of at least a portion of the laundry from the image data.

37. The method according to claim 32 wherein the determining of a bulky laundry item comprises comparing a movement of a feature of the laundry relative to the drum.

38. A laundry treating appliance for treating laundry in accordance with a treating cycle of operation, comprising:

a treating chamber;

an imaging device having at least a portion located within the laundry treating appliance during execution of the cycle of operation and configured to generate image data representative of laundry in the treating chamber;

a dispensing system configured to dispense a treating chemistry into the treating chamber; and

a controller operably coupled to the imaging device and configured to determine a presence of a bulky laundry item in the treating chamber by processing the image data with computer software stored in the controller and control the treating cycle of operation and the dispensing system based on the presence of the bulky laundry item;

wherein at least one of a type or an amount of the treating chemistry is selected based on the determined presence of a bulky item.

39. The laundry treating appliance according to claim 38 wherein the imaging device comprises a camera.

40. The laundry treating appliance according to claim 38 wherein the imaging device captures at least one of a visible light image, an ultraviolet light image or an infrared image.

41. The laundry treating appliance according to claim 38 wherein the controller is further configured to select the treating cycle of operation based on the determined presence of a bulky laundry item.

42. The laundry treating appliance according to claim 38 wherein the controller is further configured to set at least one parameter of the treating cycle of operation based on the determined presence of a bulky laundry item.

43. The laundry treating appliance according to claim 42 wherein the at least one parameter is one of a rotational speed of a drum, a direction of drum rotation, a temperature in the treating chamber, an air flow through the treating chamber, a start of cycle condition, an end of cycle condition, a start of cycle step condition, an end of cycle step condition, a rotational speed of an agitator, a direction of agitator rotation, or a wash liquid fill level.

44. The laundry treating appliance of claim 38 and further comprising at least one of the following sensors operably coupled to the controller and providing a corresponding input to the controller:

a treating chamber temperature sensor, an inlet air temperature sensor, an exhaust air temperature sensor, a moisture sensor, an air flow rate sensor, a weight sensor, or a motor torque sensor.

45. A method for controlling an operation of a laundry treating appliance comprising a rotatable drum at least partially defining a treating chamber for receiving laundry for treatment in accordance with a treating cycle of operation, the method comprising:

imaging the laundry to generate image data with an imaging device having at least a portion located within the laundry treating appliance during execution of the cycle of operation;

determining a presence of a bulky laundry item from the image data by processing the image data with computer software stored in a controller; and

dispensing a treating chemistry into the treating chamber;

wherein at least one of a type or an amount of the treating chemistry is based on the determined presence of a bulky laundry item.

46. The method according to claim 45, and further comprising setting at least one parameter of the treating cycle of operation based on the determined presence of a bulky laundry item.

47. The method according to claim 46 wherein the at least one parameter is one of a rotational speed of a drum, a direction of drum rotation, a temperature in the treating chamber, an air flow through the treating chamber, a type of treating chemistry, an amount of treating chemistry, a start of cycle condition, an end of cycle condition, a start of cycle step condition, an end of cycle step condition, a rotational speed of an agitator, a direction of agitator rotation, or a wash liquid fill level.

48. The method according to claim 45, and further comprising selecting the treating cycle of operation based on the determined presence of a bulky laundry item.

49. The method according to claim 45 wherein the imaging comprises capturing at least one image of a portion of the treating chamber.

50. The method according to claim 49 wherein determining the presence of a bulky laundry item comprises analyzing the at least one image by isolating the laundry from a background in the at least one image.

51. The method according to claim 45 wherein the imaging comprises taking at least one of a still image or a moving image.

52. The method according to claim 51 wherein the imaging comprises capturing a digital image.

53. The method according to claim 45 wherein the imaging comprises taking at least one of a visible light image, an ultraviolet light image or an infrared image.