Method of using image recognition processes for improved operation of a laundry appliance
US11739463B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 4, 2020 |
| Grant date | Aug 29, 2023 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 27, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06T2207/20084
- WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A washing machine appliance includes a wash basket that is rotatably mounted within a wash tub and that defines a wash chamber for receiving a load of clothes. A camera assembly is mounted within the wash tub for taking images of the load of clothes during and/or after a wash or rinse cycle. A controller is operably coupled to the camera for obtaining and analyzing the images using a neural network image recognition process (such as an R-CNN process) to determine a whether the level of suds or bubbles exceeds a suds threshold. If there are too many suds in the wash tub, the controller may implement corrective action, e.g., by decreasing a water temperature, adding more water, or reducing the amount of detergent that is auto-dispensed in a subsequent wash cycle.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.