A dishwasher includes an image-based detergent sensor that in some instances is configured to sense a type of detergent for use in optimizing a wash cycle based upon the type of detergent, and that in some instances is configured to direct one or more controllable sprayers to facilitate dissolution or mixing of detergent into a wash fluid during a wash cycle.

A prewashing system includes a dish recognizing unit that recognizes a dish that is an object of prewashing executed prior to main washing, a first prewashing unit that performs prewashing of the dish that is the object of prewashing by a flow of water, a second prewashing unit that performs prewashing of the dish that is the object of prewashing by a washing tool, a prewashing method deciding unit that decides a prewashing method using at least one of the first prewashing unit and the second prewashing unit, on the basis of a form of the dish that is the object of prewashing, which is recognized by the dish recognizing unit, and a prewashing executing unit that executes prewashing of the dish that is the object of prewashing, by the prewashing method decided by the prewashing method deciding unit.

A system includes a dishwasher including a washing chamber, a sensor unit designed to detect a time curve of at least one sensor signal of a washing liquor and to output the detected time curve of the at least one sensor signal, a memory unit designed to store the time curve of the at least one sensor signal, an ascertaining unit designed to ascertain a temporal functional value based on the time curve of the at least one sensor signal, and a control device designed to carry out a washing program for washing washware in the washing chamber of the dishwasher and to carry out a specified action as a function of the temporal functional value..

A dishwasher has a liquid supply system with a first conduit portion through which the liquid passes, and an air supply system with a second conduit portion through which the air passes. The first conduit portion at least partially forms the second conduit portion to define a thermal transfer interface. A heating system includes a heating element provided on the thermal transfer interface. Activation of the heating element provides heat to both the liquid supply system and the air supply system.

A method of operating a dishwasher includes receiving a user-input signal indicative of a hidden operating mode, selecting the hidden operating mode of a dishwasher based on the user-input signal, accessing a plurality of pre-programmed dishwashing cycles associated with the selected hidden operating mode, and operating the dishwasher in accordance with one of the plurality of pre-programmed dishwashing cycles.

A system includes a dishwasher, an image capturing device designed to capture an image of washware arranged in the washing chamber, with the image including a plurality of sub-images, each of which having different spectral information of the washware. An illumination unit illuminates the washware in the washing chamber, and an image analysis unit receives the captured image from the image capturing device and to carry out a chemical analysis of soiling on the washware based on the plurality of sub-images of the received image and to ascertain a dirt characteristic of soiling as a result of the chemical analysis. A control device carries out a washing program for washing the washware in the washing chamber. The control device receives the dirt characteristic from the image analysis unit and adapts the washing program for washing the washware as a function of the received dirt characteristic.

A dishwasher may include a spray arm arrangement and a washing chamber. The spray arm arrangement may include a spray arm arranged to rotate around a first axis of rotation within said washing chamber. The spray arm may be provided with one or more spray nozzles arranged to spray washing liquid into said washing chamber. The dishwasher may also include a mechanical switch for detecting an angular position of said spray arm. The spray arm arrangement may further include an activating device arranged to rotate with said spray arm, which activating device may include at least one activating structure arranged to cyclically activate said mechanical switch during rotation of said spray arm.

Systems and/or methods for the monitoring and/or control of thermal sanitization in automated cleaning machines are described. A cleaning machine controller may predict a number of heat unit equivalents that will be delivered during a cleaning process based on a sump temperature difference (i.e., a change in the temperature of the cleaning solution in the sump) experienced at or near the beginning of the cleaning process. One or more cleaning process parameters may be adjusted and/or controlled based on the sump temperature difference in order to ensure that a target number of heat unit equivalents are delivered in order to achieve thermal sanitization of the wares subjected to the cleaning process.

A method of operating a dishwashing machine including determining user satisfaction with a dishwashing cycle, adjusting at least one operational parameter of the dishwashing cycle based on the user satisfaction, and incorporating the adjusted operational parameter into a subsequent dishwashing cycle.

The present invention relates to a household appliance and a method for controlling same. The household appliance includes: at least one chamber for accommodating a to-be-processed object and at least one door for closing the chamber; a collection module, at least for collecting a time signal when the door is opened; a controller, connected to the collection module to receive and analyze the time signal generated by the collection module when the door is opened, count a high-frequency time segment when the door is opened in a predetermined time period T1, and generate a control signal for controlling an operation state of a function loading module; and the function loading module, connected to the controller to receive the control signal for controlling operation of the function loading module. Therefore, the present invention provides a household appliance with a new control method.