DISHWASHER FOR TREATING WASHWARE

Abstract

A dishwasher (100) and a method for treating washware, where the dishwasher (100) comprises a washing cavity (110) configured to receive washware (200), a rack (120) removably inserted in the washing cavity (110), and a washware recognition system (300) configured to detect a washware characteristics (310) for each washware (200) in the washing cavity (110). The washware recognition system (300) comprises two image capturing devices (320, 330) capturing at least one first, second and third image (321, 331, 332) of the washware in the rack (120), a neural network (340) configured to, based on the at least one first (321), second (331) and third images (332), determine a washware characteristics (310), and a control unit (360) configured to evaluate the washware characteristics (310) and determine a washware treatment cycle (350) based on the washware characteristics (310).

Claims

1-18. (canceled)

19. A dishwasher (100) for treating washware, comprising: a washing cavity (110) configured to receive washware (200); a rack (120) removably inserted in the washing cavity (110), and configured to hold said washware (200); a washware recognition system (300) configured to detect a washware characteristics (310) for each washware (200) in the washing cavity (110), the washware recognition system (300) comprising a first image capturing device (320) capturing at least one first image (321) of the washware in the rack (120), a second image capturing device (330) capturing at least one second image (331) and at least one third image (332) of the washware (200) in the rack (120), a neural network (340), NN, configured to, based on the at least one first (321), second (331) and third images (332), determine a washware characteristics (310); and a control unit (360) configured to evaluate the washware characteristics (310) and determine a washware treatment cycle (350) based on the washware characteristics (310).

20. The dishwasher (100) according to claim 19, wherein the washware characteristics (310) comprises information about a type of the washware (200).

21. The dishwasher (100) according to claim 19, wherein the washware characteristics (310) comprises information about a material of the washware (200).

22. The dishwasher (100) according to claim 20, wherein the type of washware is at least partly associated with a predetermined washware treatment cycle (350).

23. The dishwasher (100) according to claim 21, wherein the material of the washware is at least partly associated with a predetermined washware treatment cycle (350).

24. The dishwasher (100) according to claim 19, wherein the washware treatment cycle (350) comprises a set of parameters determined by the control unit (360), the parameters including at least one of the following: a time duration of the washware treatment cycle; a temperature of a washing liquid; a temperature of a rinsing liquid; a temperature of a drying medium; a time duration of a drying cycle; an amount of detergent; and an amount of washing liquid.

25. The dishwasher (100) according to claim 24, wherein the washware (200) in the rack (120) is a plurality of washware (200) having different washware characteristics (310); and wherein the washware treatment cycle (350) is determined based on the washware characteristics (310) associated with the washware treatment cycle (350) with the lowest temperature of a washing liquid.

26. The dishwasher (100) according to claim 19, wherein the second image capturing device (330) is configured to capture the at least one second (331) and at least one third images (332) in an infrared light spectrum.

27. The dishwasher (100) according to claim 19, wherein the dishwasher (100) further comprises a closing (130), the closing (130) being switchable between at least two states: an open state configured to provide access to the washing cavity (110); and a closed state configured to close the washing cavity (110).

28. The dishwasher (100) according to claim 19, wherein the first (320) and second (330) image capturing devices are cameras, or wherein the first (320) and second (330) image capturing devices are one camera.

29. A method (400) for treating washware (200) using the dishwasher (100) of claim 19, the method comprising: a. loading the rack (120) with washware (200); b. capturing at least one first image (321) of the washware (200) in the rack (120) using the first image capturing device (320); c. capturing at least one second image (331) of the washware (200) in the rack (120) using the second image capturing device (330); d. heating the washware (200) in the rack (120) using a heating medium at a predetermined temperature (T1) for a predetermined amount of time (T2); e. capturing at least one third image (332) of the washware (200) in the rack (120) using the second image capturing device (330); f. determining a washware characteristics (310); g. determining, based on the washware characteristics (310), a washware treatment cycle (350); and h. treating the washware (200) in the washing cavity (110) according to the determined washware treatment cycle (350).

30. The method (400) according to claim 29, wherein the washware characteristics (310) comprises information about a type of the washware (200).

31. The method (400) according to claim 29, wherein the washware characteristics (310) further comprises information about a material of the washware (200).

32. The method (400) according claim 29, wherein the washware treatment cycle (350) comprises a set of parameters determined by the control unit (360), the parameters including at least one of the following: a time duration of the washware treatment cycle; a temperature of a washing liquid; a temperature of a rinsing liquid; a temperature of a drying medium; a time duration of a drying cycle; an amount of detergent; and an amount of washing liquid.

33. The method (400) according to claim 32, wherein the washware (200) in the rack (120) is a plurality of washware (200) having different washware characteristics (310), and wherein the washware treatment cycle (350) is determined based on the washware characteristics (310) associated with the washware treatment cycle (350) with the lowest temperature of a washing liquid.

34. The method (400) according to claim 29, wherein the heating medium in step d is water or air being supplied to the washing cavity (110) for a predetermined amount of time (T2), the water or air having the predetermined temperature (T1).

35. The method (400) according to claim 29, wherein the washware characteristics (310) is at least partly determined based on a temperature increase of each heated washware (200) in the rack (120), as a result of step d.

36. The method (400) according to claim 35, wherein the temperature increase is determined by comparison of the at least one second image (331) from step c and the at least one third image (332) from step e.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] Exemplifying embodiments will now be described in more detail, with reference to the following appended drawings:

[0041] FIGS. 1a-b illustrates a perspective view of a dishwasher according to the present invention;

[0042] FIGS. 2a-b illustrates a perspective view of a dishwasher according to the present disclosure, comprising a closing;

[0043] FIGS. 3a-d illustrates schematic views of a rack loaded with washware according to the present invention;

[0044] FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic view of a washware recognition system according to the present invention;

[0045] FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic view of a control unit according to the present invention;

[0046] FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic view of exemplifying washware classifications according to the present invention;

[0047] FIG. 7 illustrates a schematic view of a method for treating the washware in the dishwasher according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] As illustrated in the figures, the sizes of the elements and regions may be exaggerated for illustrative purposes and, thus, are provided to illustrate the general structures of the embodiments. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

[0049] Exemplifying embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which currently preferred embodiments are shown. The invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided for thoroughness and completeness, and fully convey the scope of the invention to the skilled person.

[0050] With reference to FIG. 1a a dishwasher 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. The dishwasher 100 is configured to treat washware 200. The dishwasher 100 may for example be a dishwasher intended for use in professional kitchen environments, such as in restaurants, schools, or similar. The dishwasher 100 may also be a dishwasher 100 intended for private use. The washware 200 may for example be plates, glasses, mugs, pots and pans. The dishwasher 100 comprises a washing cavity 110 configured to receive the washware 200. Further, inside the washing cavity 110 there is a rack 120 in which the washware 200 is loaded. The rack 120 is removably inserted into the washing cavity 110 such that it can be inserted or extracted by a user wishing to load the rack 120 with washware 200 or empty the rack 110 from washware 200. The rack 110 may for example be arranged on wheels or guiding rails (not shown) for insertion and extraction from the washing cavity 110.

[0051] The washing cavity 110 is closed by a closing 130. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1a, the closing 130 is a door. In other embodiments, the closing 130 may for example be a type of curtain. The closing 130 is configured to being switchable between two states, an open state configured to provide access to the washing cavity 110 and a closed state configured to close the washing cavity 110. FIG. 1a illustrates the closing 130 in the open state. Access is thus provided to the washing cavity 110 through an opening in the dishwasher 100. The closing 130 may be moved between the two states using by for example arranging the closing 130 on the dishwasher 100 using hinges. A user may then open and close the closing 130 by folding the closing 130 to cover the opening in the dishwasher 100 (closed state) or folding the closing 130 to uncover the opening in the dishwasher 100 (open state).

[0052] The dishwasher 100 further comprises a first image capturing device 320 configured to capture at least one first image of the washware 200 in the rack 120. The first image capturing device 320 may for example be a type of camera, such as a camera taking pictures in the visible light spectrum or the infrared light spectrum. The first image capturing device 320 is arranged in the dishwasher 100 such that its field of view includes the washware 200 in the rack 120. With field of view is herein meant the area across which the image capturing device can image. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1a, the first image capturing device 320 is arranged on a side of the dishwasher 100, on an outside of the washing cavity 110. The dishwasher 100 may comprise a window 101 where the first image capturing device 320 can visibly access the washing cavity 110. The first image capturing device 320 may be mounted on the dishwasher 100 or on a surface nearby, and oriented in a way that allows the washing cavity 110 into its field of view.

[0053] With reference to FIG. 1b a dishwasher 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. The dishwasher 100 comprises a second image capturing device 330 configured to capture at least one second and at least one third image of the washware 200 in the rack 120. The second image capturing device 330 may for example be a type of camera, such as a camera taking pictures in the infrared light spectrum. The second image capturing device 330 is arranged inside the washing cavity 110 such that its field of view includes the washware 200 in the rack 120. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1b, the second image capturing device 330 is arranged in a corner of the washing cavity 110. The second image capturing device 330 may be arranged in a different position than illustrated in the present figure. For example, the second image capturing device 330 may be mounted in any of the top corners of the washing cavity 110. The second image capturing device 330 may also be mounted on an inside wall of the washing cavity 110. In another example, the first and/or the second image capturing devices 320, 330 may be mounted on the closing 130 of the dishwasher 100.

[0054] Furthermore, the first image capturing device 320 and the second image capturing device 330 may be the same image capturing device. Thus, the first image capturing device 320 as illustrated in FIG. 1a may comprise both the first and second image capturing devices 320, 330. Similarly, the second image capturing device 330 as illustrated in FIG. 1b may comprise both the second and the first image capturing devices 320, 330. The image capturing device may be a camera suitable for capturing images in both the visible light spectrum and the infrared light spectrum.

[0055] With reference to FIG. 2a, a dishwasher 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. The dishwasher 100 is shown with the closing 130 in the closed state. The dishwasher may further comprise a lighting device (not shown) configured to at least partly illuminate the washing cavity 110. The lighting device may illuminate the washing cavity 110 regardless of the state of the closing 130. In another example, the lighting device may only illuminate the washing cavity 110 in a closed state of the closing 130.

[0056] With reference to FIG. 2b, a dishwasher 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. The embodiment in the present figure illustrates a washing cavity 110 wherein the washware 200 is subject to being heated with a predetermined temperature T1. The heating of the washware 200 in the rack 120 is performed using a heating medium (not shown) at a predetermined temperature T1, for a predetermined amount of time. The heating medium may be steam, hot water or hot air having the predetermined temperature T1. In the present figure the closing 130 is in an open state while the heating medium is heating the washware 200 in the washing cavity 120. In a preferred embodiment the closing 130 is in a closed state when the heating medium heats the washware 200. The above FIG. 2b is included for illustrative purposes.

[0057] With reference to FIG. 3a-d, four racks 120 loaded with washware 200 according to exemplifying embodiments of the present invention are disclosed. The present figures are meant to provide examples of how a rack 120 may be loaded with washware 200 by a user of the dishwasher 100. The racks 120 shown in the figures are shown from a side view. The racks 120 are rectangular from a side view, with a length L and a height H. The racks 120 may have four sides having the same lengths L and heights H. Furthermore, the racks 120 may be standard racks used for dishwashers, and their shape may conform with an interior of the dishwasher 100, or washing cavity 110.

[0058] With reference to FIG. 3a, a rack 120 is shown, loaded with washware 200. The washware 200 in this case consists of different types of glasses. The rack 120 is loaded with a uniform load since it is only loaded with glasses. However, the rack 120 could also be considered to have a mixed load since the types of glasses are different. The glasses may for example be wine glasses, beer glasses, water glasses, coffee cups, mugs, etc. Furthermore, the material of the glasses may vary. The materials may for example be glass with different thicknesses, plastic, ceramics, porcelain, etc.

[0059] With reference to FIG. 3b, a rack 120 is shown, loaded with washware 200. The washware 200 in this case consists of plates. The rack 120 is thus loaded with a uniform load. The material of the plates may vary. The materials may for example be porcelain, glass, plastic, ceramics, etc.

[0060] With reference to FIG. 3c, a rack 120 is shown, loaded with washware 200. The washware 200 in this case consists of cookware. The rack 120 is loaded with a uniform load since it is only loaded with cookware. However, the rack 120 could also be considered to have a mixed load since the types of cookware are different. The cookware may for example be pots, frying pans, saucepan, skillets, etc. The material of the plates may vary. The materials may for example be stainless steel, steel, iron, aluminum, a metal with a Teflon coating, etc.

[0061] With reference to FIG. 3d, a rack 120 is shown, loaded with washware 200. The washware 200 in this case consists of a mix of different types of washware. The rack 120 is thus loaded with a mixed load since it is loaded with a mix of different types of washware 200. The washware 200 may for example be glasses, cookware, plates, etc. The material of the washware 200 may vary. The materials may for example be glass, ceramics, plastic, porcelain, stainless steel, steel, iron, aluminum, a metal with a Teflon coating, etc.

[0062] With reference to FIG. 4, a schematic view of an washware recognition system 300 according to the present invention is disclosed. The washware recognition system 300 comprises a first and a second image capturing device (not shown in this figure), and a neural network 340. The at least first 321, second 331, and third 332 images captured by the first and second image capturing devices 320, 330, are fed as input to the neural network 340 (NN). As mentioned, the at least one first 321 image is represented in the visual light spectrum. The at least one second 331 and third images 332 are represented in an infrared light spectrum. The NN 340 may be an artificial neural network, a convolutional neural network or a recurrent neural network, for example. Other types of machine learning models, deep learning models or other image recognition models are possible. The NN 340 may have one or several layers of nodes. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the NN 340 has an input layer, a middle layer and an output layer. The input layer consists of three nodes, representing the three images 321, 331, 332. The middle layer may have a different number of nodes depending on which algorithm that is chosen to build the NN 340. The output layer has two nodes, one for each washware characteristics 310. Thus, one output node is representing the type of washware 200 classified by the NN 340, and the other one is representing the material of the washware 200 classified by the NN 340. The NN 340 thus analyzes the mentioned images to classify the washware 200 loaded in the rack 120. The at least one first and second images 321, 331 are captured images of the rack 120 when the rack 120 has been loaded with the desired washware 200. The at least one third 332 image is captured after the heating operation has been performed in the washware cavity 110. All three types of images 321, 331, 332 are fed as input to the NN 340, which classifies the current load in the rack 120, and a washware characteristics 310 is output for each washware 200 in the rack 120. If the number of washware 200 loaded in the rack 120 are n, the NN 340 will output a washware characteristics 310 for each washware 200, thus 2?n (or two multiplied by n), since the washware characteristics 310 includes two parameters, type and material. The choice of NN 340 or algorithm of the NN 340 is not part of the invention, and will not be described in more detail.

[0063] With reference to FIG. 5, a schematic view of a control unit 360 according to the present invention is disclosed. The output from the NN 340, i.e. the washware characteristics 310 of the washware 200 loaded in the rack 120 is fed to the control unit 360 of the dishwasher 100. The control unit 360 evaluates the washware characteristics 310 and determines a washware treatment cycle 350 based thereon. The control unit 360 may have prior knowledge of the most optimal washware treatment cycle 350 for a certain mix of washware 200, i.e. washware characteristics 310. A user does thus not have to be involved in determining the washware treatment cycle 350. For example, as illustrated in the present figure, washware treatment cycle 350 Program C is chosen. Program C may for example be a program suitable for a uniform load with cookware made of metal.

[0064] With reference to FIG. 6, a schematic view of examples of washware classifications 310 and their corresponding washware treatment cycles 350 according to the present invention is disclosed. The load in the racks 120 from FIGS. 3a-d are chosen as examples. Thus, a rack 120 loaded with different types of glasses, is classified by the NN 340 and the washware characteristics 310 show that the rack 120 is loaded with glasses made of glass and plastic, for example. The control unit 360 then determines to treat the washware 200 with the washware treatment program 350 Program A, which may be designed to suit washware 200 having those washware characteristics 310. Similarly, a rack 120 loaded with a uniform load of plates, is classified by the NN 340 and the washware characteristics 310 show that the rack 120 is loaded with plates made of porcelain, for example. The control unit 360 then determines to treat the washware 200 with the washware treatment program 350 Program B, which may be designed to suit washware 200 having those washware characteristics 310. Again similarly, a rack 120 loaded with a mixed load of washware 200, is classified by the NN 340 and the washware characteristics 310 show that the rack 120 is loaded with plates, glasses and cookware with the materials glass, plastic, porcelain and metal, for example. The control unit 360 then determines to treat the washware 200 with the washware treatment program 350 Program D, which may be designed to suit washware 200 having those washware characteristics 310.

[0065] With reference to FIG. 7, a schematic view of a method 400 for treating the washware 200 in the dishwasher 100 according to the present invention is disclosed. The method 400 comprises a step S1 of loading the rack 120 with washware 200. The loading of washware 200 into a rack 120 may be performed manually by a user or automatically. The present step S1 may also include indicating that the dishwasher 100 should start to clean the washware 200 in the rack 120. This may for example be performed by a user shutting the washing cavity 110 by closing the closing 130, and indicating a desire to start a washware treatment cycle 350. This may for example be performed by pressing a start button on the dishwasher 100, or similar.

[0066] The method 400 further comprises the step S2 of capturing a first image 321 of the washware 200 in the rack 120 with the first image capturing device 320. The first image capturing device 320 may be programmed to automatically capture an image in connection with the dishwasher 100 being started, or for example by a user pressing a button to indicate a desire to start a washware treatment cycle 350. If there is a lighting device inside the washing cavity 110, this may also be connected to the same button, and turned on in connection to the first image 321 being captured. The lighting device may also be connected to the first image capturing device 320, for example, the lighting device may be a flash incorporated in the first imaging device 320. The first image 321 is captured in the visible light spectrum.

[0067] The method 400 further comprises the step S3 of capturing a second image 331 of the washware 200 in the rack 120 with the second image capturing device 330. The second image capturing device 330 may be programmed to automatically capture an image in connection with the dishwasher 100 being started, or for example by a user pressing a button to indicate a desire to start a washware treatment cycle 350. Furthermore, the second image capturing device 330 may be programmed to capture the second image 331 immediately following the capturing of the first image 321. Even further, the first image capturing device 320 and the second image capturing device 330 may be the same device. The second image 331 is captured in the infrared light spectrum.

[0068] The method 400 further comprises the step S4 of heating the washware 200 in the rack 120 with a heating medium (not shown) at a temperature T1 for a time T2. The heating operation may start after the second image 331 has been captured. The temperature T1 may for example be set by the control unit 360, and may be the same temperature regardless of the washware characteristics 310 of the washware 200. The temperature T1 may for example be between 70-95 degrees Celsius. The time T2 may also be set by the control unit 360. Further, the time T2 may be the same amount of time regardless of the washware characteristics 310 of the washware 200. The time T2 may for example vary between 1-10 minutes.

[0069] The method 400 further comprises the step S5 of capturing a third image 332 of the washware 200 in the rack 120 using the second image capturing device 330. The second image capturing device 330 may be programmed to automatically capture a third image 332 in connection with the heating operation being finished. For example, the second image capturing device 330 may capture the third image 332 after the time T2 has passed. The third image 332 is captured in the infrared light spectrum.

[0070] The method 400 further comprises the step S7 of determining a washware treatment cycle 350. The washware treatment cycle 350 is determined based on the output from the neural network 340. The output from the neural network 340 comprises information regarding the washware characteristics 310 of the washware 200 loaded in the rack 120. The neural network 340 uses the first, second and third images 321, 331, 332 as input. The control unit 360 determines the washware treatment cycle 350 best suited for the current washware 200 loaded in the rack 120. The control unit 360 may further be programmed to automatically determine and start a washware treatment cycle 350 as soon as it receives the output from the neural network 340. The user of the dishwasher 100 does not therefore need to be involved in choosing a washware treatment cycle 350.

[0071] The method 400 further comprises the step S8 of treating the washware 200 according to the washware treatment cycle 350. As previously mentioned, the control unit 360 may be programmed to automatically choose and start the selected washware treatment cycle 350 after receiving the output from the neural network 340, which includes the washware characteristics 310 of the washware 200 in the rack 120. The control unit 360 may have a selection of predetermined washware treatment cycles 350 stored in its memory. The washware treatment cycle 350 may include variable parameters, such as a time duration of the washware treatment cycle, a temperature of a washing liquid, a temperature of a rinsing liquid, a temperature of a drying medium, a time duration of a drying cycle, an amount of detergent, and an amount of washing liquid. The variable parameters may vary depending on the washware characteristics 310. Further, the user of the dishwasher 100 may be notified when the washware treatment cycle 350 is finished. The notification may for example be a light shining in a certain color on the dishwasher 100, a sound notification from the dishwasher 100, or similar.