Dosing method for a dispensing module

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a method including capturing and/or obtaining a reservoir information item at a dispensing module for a detergent and/or cleaning agent, with the reservoir information item representative of at least one property of a reservoir for the detergent and/or cleaning agent, an application specification for the detergent and/or cleaning agent contained in the reservoir, and/or a property of the detergent and/or cleaning agent contained in the reservoir, and the reservoir is connected or connectable to the dispensing module. The method further includes determining and/or causing the determination of a dispensing control information item depending at least in part on the reservoir information item, with the dispensing control information item configured to at least partly control the dispensing of the detergent and/or cleaning agent by the dispensing module.

Claims

1. A method comprising the steps of: receiving, at a dispensing module having a sensor, a reservoir having an information item wherein the reservoir is connected detachably to the dispensing module such that the sensor is aligned with the information item; capturing the reservoir information item at the dispensing module for a cleaning agent, wherein the reservoir information item is representative of a property of the cleaning agent contained in the reservoir; capturing a washing information item at the dispensing module wherein the washing information item includes a temperature of a cleaning solution, a duration of a cleaning process and a concentration of cleaning solution in a washing machine; determining a dispensing control information item in response to the reservoir information item and the washing information item; sending the reservoir information item and the washing information item from the dispensing module to a server apparatus; receiving a dispensing quantity, a dispensing time and a dispensing duration for dispensing the cleaning agent from the server apparatus at the dispensing module wherein the dispensing quantity, the dispensing time and the dispensing duration for dispensing the cleaning agent is determined in response to the reservoir information item and the washing information item; adjusting the dispensing control information in response to the dispensing quantity, the dispensing time and the dispensing duration for dispensing the cleaning agent to generate an adjusted dispensing control information; and controlling a dispensing of the cleaning agent by the dispensing module in response to the adjusted dispensing control information item.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the reservoir information item is supplied by the reservoir as a pattern capable of being captured mechanically and/or optically, and wherein the pattern capable of being captured mechanically and/or optically is a part of the reservoir and/or is arranged on the reservoir.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the capturing the reservoir information item is assured via a wireless communication interface of the dispensing module chosen from a RFID interface and/or a NFC interface.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the reservoir information item is provided via a wireless communication interface of the reservoir chosen from a RFID interface and/or a NFC interface.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: dispensing and/or causing the dispensing of the cleaning agent by the dispensing module depending at least partly on the dispensing control information item.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the dispensing and/or the causing of the dispensing of the cleaning agent only takes place when the reservoir is connected to the dispensing module.

7. The method according to claim 5, wherein the dispensing module comprises a control unit and at least one actuator, wherein the control unit is configured to control the at least one actuator to cause a movement of the at least one actuator with the movement of the at least one actuator causes the cleaning agent to be dispensed.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the dispensing module comprises at least one power supply feature, and wherein the at least one power supply feature is configured to supply the at least one actuator and/or the control unit with energy.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The present disclosure will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and:

(2) FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a system according to the third aspect of the present disclosure;

(3) FIG. 2a is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a dispensing module according to the first aspect of the present disclosure;

(4) FIG. 2b is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a server apparatus according to the second aspect of the present disclosure;

(5) FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a reservoir;

(6) FIG. 4a is a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a method according to the first aspect of the present disclosure;

(7) FIG. 4b is a flowchart of a further exemplary embodiment of a method according to the first aspect of the present disclosure;

(8) FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a method according to the second aspect of the present disclosure; and

(9) FIG. 6 shows various exemplary embodiments of a storage medium.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(10) The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the disclosure or the application and uses of the subject matter as described herein. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the preceding background or the following detailed description.

(11) FIG. 1 represents an exemplary system according to the third aspect of the present disclosure, comprising a dispensing module 11 and a server apparatus 12. The dispensing module 11 is shown in FIG. 1 is in the form of a mobile dispensing module for dispensing detergent and/or cleaning agents. Alternatively, the dispensing module 11 may also be embodied as a stationary dispensing module.

(12) The dispensing module 11 and the server apparatus 12 may communicate for example across the communication link 10. The communication link 10 is for example a connection according to a wireless communication technology. For example, the communication link 10 is a communication link according to a mobile telephony technology. Of course, the communication link 10 may alternatively also be connected by wire. Of course the communication link 10 may also include wire-connected and wireless segments, for example in any number and order.

(13) FIG. 2a shows a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the dispensing module 11. The dispensing module 11 comprises a control unit 110, an actuator 120 and a power supply feature 130.

(14) The control unit 110 comprises at least one processor 113, a program memory 111, a main memory 112, an optional communication interface 114 and one or more optional sensors 115.

(15) The processor 113 is in particular in the form of a Microprocessor, microcontrol unit, microcontroller, digital signal processor (DSP), application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or field programmable gate array (FPGA). Of course, the dispensing module 11 may also comprise multiple processors 113.

(16) Processor 113 executes software instructions which are stored in program memory 111, and stores for example intermediate results or the like in working or main memory 112. Program memory 111 is for example a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory, a magnetic memory, an EEPROM memory (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory), and/or an optical memory. Main memory 112 is for example a volatile or non-volatile memory, particularly a random access memory (RAM) such as a static RAM memory (SRAM), a dynamic RAM memory (DRAM), a ferroelectrical RAM memory (FeRAM), and/or a magnetic RAM memory (MRAM).

(17) Program memory 111 contains for example software instructions of a computer program according to the first aspect of the present disclosure, comprising software instructions which cause the processor 113 to execute the method according to the first aspect of the present disclosure (e.g., the method according to the flowcharts 410 and 420 represented in FIGS. 4a and 4b) and/or control when the processor 113 executes these software instructions stored in program memory 111. Further information may also be stored in program memory 111, for example reservoir information and/or dispensing control information.

(18) Program memory 111 is preferably a local data carrier which is permanently connected to the dispensing module 11. Data carriers permanently connected to the dispensing module 11 are for example hard disks which are installed in the dispensing module 11. Alternatively, the data carrier may also be for example a data carrier which is detachably connected to the dispensing module 11, such as a memory stick, a removable storage device, a portable hard disk, a CD, a DVD and/or a diskette.

(19) Program memory 111 contains for example the operating system of the dispensing module 11, which is loaded at least partly into main memory 112 when the dispensing module 11 is started and is then executed by the processor 113. In particular, at least a part of the core of the operating system is loaded into the main memory 112 and executed by the processor 113 when the dispensing module 11 is started. Examples of an operating system are a Windows, UNIX, Linux, Android, Apple iOS and/or MAC operating system.

(20) The operating system in particular enables the dispensing module 11 to be used for processing data. For example, it manages resources such as program memory 111 and main memory 112, communication interface 114 and sensor 115, makes basic functions available to other computer programs via programming interfaces, for example, and controls the execution of computer programs.

(21) Program memory 111 and main memory 112 may also be configured as one memory. Alternatively, program memory 111 and/or main memory 112 may each include several memories. And program memory 111 and/or main memory 112 may also be part of the processor 113.

(22) Processor 113 controls the optional communication interface 114. The communication interface 114 is for example a communication interface according to a wire-connected and/or a wireless communication technology. An example of a wireless communication technology is a local wireless network technology such as Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and/or Near Field Communication (NFC) and/or Bluetooth (e.g., Bluetooth Version 2.1 and/or 4.0) and/or Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN). RFID and NFC are specified for example according to ISO standards 18000, 11784/11785 and ISO/IEC standards 14443-A and 15693. The Bluetooth specifications are currently available on the internet at www.bluetooth.org. WLAN is specified for example in the IEEE-802.11 family of standards. A further example of a wireless communication technology is a regional wireless network technology such as for example a mobile phone technology, for example Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) and/or Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) and/or Long Term Evolution (LTE). The GSM, UMTS and LTE specifications are maintained and developed by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) and are currently available on the internet at www.3gpp.com and elsewhere. Examples of a wired communication technology are a Local Area Network (LAN) and/or a bus system, for example a Controller Area Network bus (CAN-Bus) and/or a Universal Serial Bus (USB). CAN bus is specified for example according to the ISO standard ISO 11898. The USB specifications are currently available on the internet at www.usb.org. LAN specified in the standards of the IEEE-802.3 family, for example.

(23) For example, the communication interface 114 is a mobile telephony interface which is configured to create a wireless communication link (e.g., communication link 10) with other apparatuses (e.g., with server apparatus 12) and to communicate with them. Alternatively or additionally, the communication interface 114 is configured for example to capture and/or read out one or more information items (e.g., one or more reservoir information items), to receive one or more information items according to a wire-connected and/or wireless communication technology, and/or to send one or more messages according to a wire-connected and/or wireless communication technology (e.g., one or more reservoir information items, one or more dispensing control information items and/or one or more washing and/or cleaning information items).

(24) The dispensing module 11 comprises one or more optional sensors 115. Examples of a sensor 115 are a mechanical sensor (e.g., a pressure sensor) and/or an optical sensor (e.g., a CCD sensor).

(25) In the following text, it is assumed for exemplary purposes that the dispensing module 11 comprises an optical sensor as optional sensor 115 for capturing the reservoir information of a reservoir. Besides the optical sensor, the dispensing module may comprise a light generating features (e.g., one or more LEDs) to support the capture of the reservoir information of a reservoir by the sensor 115.

(26) Of course, the dispensing module 11 may also comprise other sensors in addition or alternatively thereto.

(27) The actuator 120 is controlled for example by the processor 113 of the control unit 110. For example, the processor 113 actuates the actuator 120. For example, the processor 113 actuates the actuator 120 in such manner that the actuator 120 is caused to move, for example to cause dispensing of a detergent and/or cleaning agent.

(28) The optional power supply feature 130 is for example a battery, a capacitor and/or a rechargeable battery.

(29) The components 111-115 of the control unit 110 of the dispensing module 11 are connected to enable them to communicate with each other for example via one or more bus systems (e.g., one or more serial and/or parallel bus connections).

(30) The control unit 110, the actuator 120 and/or the power supply feature 130 are connected to enable them to communicate with each other for example via one or more bus systems (e.g., one or more serial and/or parallel bus connections). For example, one or more components of the control unit 110 are each connected to the actuator 120 and/or to the power supply feature 130 connected.

(31) Of course, the control unit 110 may comprise additional components in addition to the components 111-115. Alternatively or additionally, the dispensing module 11 may comprise further components as well as the control unit 110, the actuator 120 and the power supply feature 130.

(32) FIG. 2b shows a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the server apparatus 12 and comprises at least one processor 213, a program memory 211, a main memory 212, and/or a communication interface 214.

(33) Processor 213 executes software instructions which are stored in program memory 211, and stores for example intermediate results or the like in main memory 212. The program memory 211 contains for example software instructions of a computer program according to the second aspect of the present disclosure, comprising software instructions that cause the processor 213 to execute and/or control the method according to the second aspect of the present disclosure (e.g., the method according to the flow diagram 500 represents in FIG. 5) when the processor 213 executes these software instructions stored in program memory 211.

(34) Program memory 211 further contains for example the operating system of the server apparatus 12, which is at least partly loaded into main memory 212 and executed by the processor 213 when the server apparatus 12 is started.

(35) Main memory 212 and program memory 211 may also be configured as one memory. Alternatively, main memory 212 and/or program memory 211 may each include several memories. And main memory 212 and/or program memory 211 may also be part of the processor 213.

(36) Processor 213 controls the communication interface 214, which is embodied for example as a wireless communication interface, for example a communication interface according to a mobile telephony technology. The communication interface 214 is in particular configured to create a wireless communication link (e.g., communication link 10) to connect the server apparatus 12 to other apparatuses (e.g., with dispensing module 11) and enable it to communicate with them.

(37) The components 211-214 of the sensor apparatus 12 are connected to each other for communication purposes for example via one or more bus systems (e.g., one or more serial and/or parallel bus connections).

(38) Of course, the server apparatus 12 may comprise other components besides the components 211-214.

(39) FIG. 3 shows an exemplary reservoir 300 which is constructed to accommodate detergents and/or cleaning agents. The reservoir 300 is of dimensionally stable construction for the purpose of the example. For the purposes of the example, the reservoir 300 is connected detachably to the dispensing module 11. The connection between reservoir 300 and dispensing module 11 may for example be separated non-destructively. Alternatively or additionally, the dispensing module 11 and the reservoir 300 may be permanently connected to each other.

(40) The reservoir 300 serves as the site for a pattern 301. In the example of FIG. 3, the pattern 301 has the form of a barcode located in a subarea of the reservoir 300. A barcode is an example of a pattern which can be captured optically. Of course, other patterns which can be captured optically might also be used instead of a barcode. Further examples of a pattern which can be captured optically are sequences of letters and/or digits, geometric patterns, barcodes, quick response codes (QR codes), and/or 2D codes.

(41) The pattern 301 is arranged on the reservoir 300 in the form of a label for the purposes of the example. Alternatively or additionally, the pattern 301 may also be a part of the reservoir 300 and/or printed on the reservoir 300. For example, the pattern 301 may also be realised at one or more additional and/or other, e.g., predetermined or not predetermined positions on the reservoir 300.

(42) The pattern 301 provides an item of reservoir information, for example.

(43) As was disclosed earlier, the reservoir information item represents for example a characterizing property of the reservoir 300. Characterizing for a property of a reservoir 300 is for example an item of information which represents and/or contains one or more indicators relating to a maximum date of use of the reservoir 300, regarding the spatial configuration of the reservoir 300, regarding a volume and/or fill quantity of the reservoir 300 and/or for identifying the reservoir 300 or the type of the reservoir 300.

(44) The reservoir information item may also represent an application specification for a detergent and/or cleaning agent contained in the reservoir 300. Such an application specification contains and/or represents for example one or more indicators regarding a dosage of the detergent and/or cleaning agent recommended for a given application. An item of reservoir information that represents an application specification for a detergent and/or cleaning agent contained in the reservoir 300 may also be understood to be information which identifies the dispensing control information and/or represents and/or contains at least a part of the dispensing control information.

(45) Alternatively or additionally, as disclosed previously the reservoir information item may represent a property of a detergent and/or cleaning agent contained in the reservoir 300. Characterizing of a property of a detergent and/or cleaning agent contained in a reservoir is for example an information item which represents or contains one or more indicators regarding a chemical and/or physical property of the detergent and/or cleaning agent, regarding the type of the detergent and/or cleaning agent and/or for identifying the detergent and/or cleaning agent. The chemical and/or physical property is for example a chemical and/or physical composition of the detergent and/or the aggregate state of the washing and/or cleaning agent (e.g., solid, liquid or gaseous). The type of he detergent and/or cleaning agent specifies for example whether it is a detergent which contains bleach, a mild detergent, a detergent for coloured fabrics, a disinfectant, a machine-dishwashing detergent and/or another type of detergent and/or cleaning agent, and/or what ingredients and/or structural composition the detergent and/or cleaning agent contains.

(46) In the following text, it is assumed for the purposes of the example that the barcode (e.g., in encoded form) represented in FIG. 3 as an example of a pattern 301 which can be captured optically provides at least one indicator for identifying the detergent and/or cleaning agent contained in the reservoir 300 as an item of reservoir information. For example, this indicator may be an identifier for identifying the detergent and/or cleaning agent such as a product name and/or a product number.

(47) FIG. 4a shows a flow diagram 410 of an embodiment of a method according to the first aspect of the present disclosure. In the following text, it is assumed for the purposes of the example that the steps 411 to 414 of the flow diagram 410 are executed by the dispensing module 11 in the system 1 of FIG. 1.

(48) In a step 411, an item of reservoir information is captured by the sensor 115 of the dispensing module 11. The item of reservoir information captured in step 411 is stored and/or stored temporarily for example in the program memory 111 and/or in the main memory 112 of the dispensing module 11.

(49) Of course, one or more further items of reservoir information may be captured and/or obtained in step 411 (e.g., reservoir information items from other reservoirs 300, connected with the dispensing module 11, for example).

(50) In the following text, it is assumed for the purposes of the example that the reservoir information item captured in step 411 is the reservoir information item provided by the pattern 301 on the reservoir 300 which can be captured optically. However, the present disclosure is not limited to patterns which can be captured optically. Alternatively or additionally, the reservoir information may also be provided for example in the form of a pattern on a reservoir which can be captured mechanically and/or via a communication interface of the reservoir.

(51) In a step 412, a dispensing control information item is determined by the dispensing module 11, which is configured to at least partly control the dispensing of a detergent and/or cleaning agent by the dispensing module 11. For example, the dispensing control information item is determined by the processor 113 of the dispensing module 11.

(52) In step 412, for example, the dispensing control information item is selected from a multiplicity of prescribed dispensing control information items for example depending at least partly on the reservoir information captured in step 411. The selection may be made for example according to predefined rules of determination and/or selection, which assign a determined dispensing control information item to a determined reservoir information item (or a determined combination of reservoir information items). A representation of the multiplicity of prescribed dispensing control information items and/or of the rules for determination and/or selection is stored for example in the program memory 111 of the dispensing module 11 as a table representation.

(53) In such a table, for example various dispensing control information item may be assigned to information for identifying a detergent and/or cleaning agent (e.g., various product numbers and/or product names) and/or determined combinations of information for identifying a detergent and/or cleaning agent. If the reservoir information item captured in step 111 contains and/or represents such information for identifying the detergent and/or cleaning agent contained in the reservoir 300, in step 412 for example the dispensing control information item is determined that has been assigned to this information for identifying a detergent and/or cleaning agent in the table.

(54) Of course, in step 412 the dispensing control information item may also be determined (e.g., calculated) in another way, at least partly depending on the reservoir information item.

(55) The dispensing control information item prescribes one or more dispensing parameters, for example. For example, these are dispensing parameters of the dispensing module 11. Examples of a dispensing parameter are a dispensing quantity, a dispensing time and/or a dispensing duration. For example, a dispensing parameter prescribes a dispensing quantity, a dispensing time and/or a dispensing duration for the dispensing of detergents and/or cleaning agents by the dispensing module 11.

(56) For example, the dispensing module 11 is configured to dispense and/or cause dispensing of the detergent and/or cleaning agent contained in the reservoir 300 in accordance with the dispensing parameters prescribed by the dispensing control information item determined in step 411 when the reservoir 300 is connected to the dispensing module 11. For example, the control unit 110 of the dispensing module 11 is configured to control the actuator 120 of the dispensing module 11 in such manner that the detergent and/or cleaning agent is dispensed in accordance with the dispensing parameters prescribed by the dispensing control information item determined in step 411 and/or the dispensing of the detergent and/or cleaning agent contained in the reservoir (e.g., by the reservoir) is caused in accordance with the dispensing parameters prescribed by the dispensing control information item.

(57) In the following text, the optional steps 413 and 414 are described which may be executed optionally for example when the dispensing control information item in step 412 was selected from a multiplicity of prescribed dispensing control information items.

(58) In the optional step 413, a washing and/or cleaning information item is captured and/or received at the dispensing module 11.

(59) The washing and/or cleaning information item represents for example measurement values of one or more physical and/or chemical variables which are characterizing of a washing and/or cleaning process, such as a temperature of the washing and/or cleaning solution, a duration of the washing and/or cleaning process and/or a concentration of detergents and/or cleaning agents in the washing and/or cleaning solution. In the following text, it is assumed for the purposes of the example that the washing and/or cleaning information item is a washing and/or cleaning information item that was captured in the course of a washing and/or cleaning process, during which a detergent and/or cleaning agent was dispensed in accordance with the dispensing control information item determined by the dispensing module in step 412.

(60) The washing and/or cleaning information item is captured for example by a sensor 115 of the dispensing module 11.

(61) Alternatively or additionally, the washing and/or cleaning information item may be captured for example by an external sensor of a washing and/or cleaning machine in which the washing and/or cleaning process takes place, and then communicated to the dispensing module. In this case, the washing and/or cleaning information item is received for example via the communication interface 114 of the dispensing module 11.

(62) In the optional step 414, at least the dispensing control information item determined in step 412 is adjusted to the multiplicity of prescribed dispensing control information items depending at least in part on the washing and/or cleaning information item captured and/or obtained in step 413.

(63) For example, the dispensing control information item determined in step 412 is adjusted to the multiplicity of prescribed dispensing control information items depending at least in part on a measurement value included in the washing and/or cleaning information item (e.g., in the event of an absolute and/or relative deviation of the value from a prescribed value). A representation of the adjusted dispensing control information item is then stored for example in the program memory 111 of the dispensing module 11 as part of the representation of the multiplicity of prescribed dispensing control information items. The adjustment may be made for example according to an algorithm for optimising the dispensing control information items. Such an algorithm may be for example an algorithm for machine self-learning, such as an algorithm which is applied by an artificial neural network and/or a support vector machine.

(64) For example, if the concentration of a detergent and/or cleaning agent in the washing and/or cleaning solution captured in step 413 is lower (or higher) than a prescribed concentration, in step 414 for example the dispensing quantity of the dispensing control information item determined in step 412 may be adjusted to the multiplicity of prescribed dispensing control information items in such manner that the specification of the dispensing quantity is raised (or lowered). In this way, it is possible to bring about an increase (or reduction) in the concentration of the detergent and/or cleaning agent in der washing and/or cleaning solution for future washing and/or cleaning processes during which a detergent and/or cleaning agent will be dispensed in accordance with this (now adjusted) dispensing control information item.

(65) FIG. 4b shows a flow diagram 420 of a further embodiment of a method according to the first aspect of the present disclosure. In the following text, it is assumed for the purposes of the example that the steps 421, 422 and 423 and the optional steps 424 and 425 of the flow diagram 420 are executed by the dispensing module 11 in the system 1 of FIG. 1.

(66) In a step 421, a reservoir information item is captured and/or obtained at a dispensing module 11. Step 421 corresponds to step 411 of FIG. 4a, for example.

(67) The steps 422 and 423 of FIG. 4b described hereafter are exemplary for effecting the determination of a dispensing control information item by the dispensing module 11. For example, the dispensing control information item is determined by an apparatus (e.g., the server apparatus 12) other than the dispensing module 11.

(68) In step 422, the reservoir information item captured and/or obtained at the dispensing module 11 in step 421 is sent to the server apparatus 12 by the dispensing module 11. For example, the reservoir information item is sent to the server apparatus 12 by the communication interface 114 of the dispensing module 11 (e.g., via the communication link 10).

(69) Alternatively or additionally, in step 422 the dispensing module may cause the reservoir information item to be sent to the server apparatus 12. For example, the dispensing module 11 addresses an external communication interface to cause the reservoir information item to be sent to the server apparatus 12 by the external communication interface.

(70) In step 423, a dispensing control information item from the server apparatus 12 which is configured to at least partly control the dispensing of a detergent and/or cleaning agent by the dispensing module 11 is then received at the dispensing module 11. For example, the dispensing control information item is received by the dispensing module 11 via the communication interface 114. As disclosed earlier in step 412 of the flow diagram 410, the dispensing control information item for example specifies one or more dispensing parameters.

(71) In an optional step 424, a washing and/or cleaning information item captured and/or obtained at the dispensing module 11. Step 424 corresponds for example to optional step 413 of flow diagram 410.

(72) In an optional step 425, the washing and/or cleaning information item captured and/or obtained in step 424 is sent to the server apparatus 12 by the dispensing module 11. For example, the washing and/or cleaning information is sent to the server apparatus 12 by the communication interface 114 of the dispensing module 11 (e.g., via the communication link 10).

(73) Alternatively or additionally, the dispensing module 11 causes the washing and/or cleaning information item to be sent to the server apparatus 12 in optional step 425. For example, the dispensing module 11 instructs an external communication interface, to cause the washing and/or cleaning information item to be sent to the server apparatus 12 by the external communication interface.

(74) FIG. 5 shows a flow diagram 500 of an embodiment of a method according to the second aspect of the present disclosure. In the following text, it is assumed for the purposes of the example that steps 501-505 of the flow diagram 500 are executed in the system 1 of FIG. 1 by the server apparatus 12. For example, at least steps 501-503 are carried out after step 422 of flow diagram 420. For example, at least steps 501-503 are caused by the sending of the reservoir information item.

(75) In a step 501, a reservoir information item is received at the server apparatus 12. For example, the reservoir information item is received via the communication interface 214 of the server apparatus 12 (e.g., via the communication link 10 from the dispensing module 11). The reservoir information items received in step 501 is for example the reservoir information item which was sent to the server apparatus 12 in step 422 of the flow diagram 420.

(76) The reservoir information item received in step 501 is stored for example in the program memory 211 and/or in the main memory 212 of the server apparatus 12. Multiple reservoir information items may also be received in step 501, for example.

(77) In a step 502, the dispensing control information item is determined depending at last in part on the reservoir information item received in step 501. The determination in step 501 corresponds for example to the determination disclosed previously for step 412 of the flow diagram, with the difference that the server apparatus 12 (e.g., the processor 213 of the server apparatus 12) carries out the determination instead of the dispensing module. Accordingly, the representation of the multiplicity of prescribed dispensing control information items and/or of the rules for determination and/or selection is stored as a table representation for example in the program memory 211 of the server apparatus 12.

(78) In a step 503, the dispensing control information item is sent to the dispensing module 11 by the server apparatus 12. For example, the dispensing control information item is sent to the dispensing module 11 via the communication interface 214 of the server apparatus 12 (e.g., via the communication link 10).

(79) In the following text, the optional steps 504 and 505 are described, which are executed optionally for example when the dispensing control information item in step 502 has been selected from a multiplicity of prescribed dispensing control information items.

(80) In the optional step 504, a washing and/or cleaning information item is received at the server apparatus 12. For example, the washing and/or cleaning information item is received by the communication interface 214 of the server apparatus 12 (e.g., via the communication link 10 from the dispensing module 11). The washing and/or cleaning information item received in step 501 is for example the reservoir information item sent to the server apparatus 12 in step 425 of flow diagram 420.

(81) In the optional step 505, at least the dispensing control information item determined in step 502 is adjusted to the multiplicity of the prescribed dispensing control information items depending at least partly on the washing and/or cleaning information item received in step 504. The adjustment in step 505 corresponds for example to the adjustment disclosed earlier for step 414 of flow diagram 400 with the difference that the server apparatus 12 (e.g., the processor 213 of the server apparatus 12) carries out the adjustment instead of the dispensing module.

(82) One advantage of the present disclosure is for example the capability to dispense the detergent and/or cleaning agent contained in the reservoir 300 with temporal separation and in the calculated quantity. In this way, for example not only is the cleaning result improved, but the consumption of both energy and detergent and/or cleaning agent is minimised. Moreover, at the same time an optimal cleaning result is enabled for example despite the reduced consumption of detergent and/or cleaning agent. The reservoirs 300 may also be combined freely, for example. And for example the washing and/or cleaning chemistry can be adapted freely to the washing and/or cleaning process. For example, the dosing at the correct time with the correct quantity of detergent and/or cleaning agent is guaranteed, with the result that too much and also too little detergent and/or cleaning agent is never used in a treatment step of a washing and/or cleaning process.

(83) Furthermore, it may also be ensured for example that, unlike the use of a fixed multichamber reservoir an optimal combination of reservoirs is used for a washing and/or cleaning process. Thus for example detergents and/or cleaning agents, machine cleaning agents and/or disinfectants can be combined freely. For example, different dosages are possible without the need to consider that the reservoir would have to be emptied at the same time and/or at the same rate. It is possible to avoid forced emptying of residues, for example, which in turn reduces the consumption of detergent and/or cleaning agent considerably.

(84) FIG. 6 shows various embodiments of storage media on which an embodiment of a computer program as contemplated herein may be stored. The storage medium may be for example a magnetic, electrical, optical and/or other kind of storage medium. The storage medium may be for example part of a processor (e.g., of the processor 113 of FIG. 4 and/or of the processor 213 of FIG. 5), for example a (non-volatile or volatile) program memory of the processor or a part thereof (such as program memory 111 in FIG. 4 and/or program memory 211 in FIG. 5). Embodiments of a storage medium are a flash memory 60, a SSD hard disk 61, a magnetic hard disk 62, a memory card 63, a memory Stick 64 (e.g., a USB stick), a CD-ROM or DVD 65, or a diskette 66.

(85) The embodiments of the present disclosure and the optional features and properties associated with each of said designs as explained in the preceding text are intended to be considered disclosed also in all combinations thereof with each other. In particular, the description of a feature included as part of one embodiment—unless the contrary is explicitly indicated—is not to be construed in the present case as an indispensable or essential feature for the functioning of said embodiment. The sequence of method steps set forth in this specification is not mandatory, alternative sequences of the method steps are conceivable. The method steps may be implemented in various ways, for example an implementation in software (by program instructions), hardware or a combination of the two is conceivable for implementing the method steps.

(86) Terms used in the patent claims such as “comprise”, “include”, “contain” “have” and the like do not preclude further elements or steps. The formulation “at least in part” includes the notions of both “partly” and “completely”. The formulation “and/or” is intended to be construed to mean that both the alternative and the combination are to be disclosed, i.e. “A and/or B” means “(A) or (B) or (A and B)”. The use of the indefinite article does not preclude a plurality. A single apparatus may perform the functions of several units and/or apparatuses described in the patent claims. Reference signs appearing in the patent claims are not to be considered as limiting of the means and steps used.

(87) While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the various embodiments in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing an exemplary embodiment as contemplated herein. It being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope of the various embodiments as set forth in the appended claims.