Description:FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to a washing machine, and more particularly, the present disclosure relates to a washing machine adapted to detect a fabric type and determine a washing cycle based on the detected fabric type.

BACKGROUND

Washing fabrics based on a fabric type is highly desirable for maintaining quality, longevity, and hygiene of the fabrics. Different fabric types have different washing requirements to maintain the size, color, luster, and strength of the fabric.

Existing washing machines typically complete washing of the fabrics by washing the fabrics at a predetermined speed, time, water temperature, and water level based on a selected cycle of the washing machine. The wash cycles of the washing machine are generally categorized based on the load or the type of fabrics that have been loaded into the washing machine. In such implementations, the washing machine depends on the user loading the washing machine appropriately and selecting the correct washing cycle for optimum washing of the fabrics. However, delicate laundry requires delicate treatment, and the washing machine may have to optimize the washing cycle according to the fabric. It is widely accepted that different fabrics have different washing requirements due to their individual fabric structure and fabric float lengths.

Accordingly, there is a need for a washing machine that detects one or more parameters of the fabric and selects a washing cycle based on the type of the fabric.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts, in a simplified format, that are further described in the detailed description of the invention. This summary is neither intended to identify essential inventive concepts of the invention nor is it intended for determining the scope of the invention.

The present disclosure relates to a washing machine having at least one washing chamber for receiving at least one washable fabric, at least one sensor configured to capture a plurality of images of at least one washable fabric, and a controller communicatively coupled to the at least one sensor. The controller is configured to receive the plurality of images of the at least one washable fabric from the at least one sensor, determine a float length of the at least one washable fabric from the received plurality of images, compare the determined float length of the at least one washable fabric with a predetermined float length value to determine a washing cycle associated with the determined float length, and control the washing machine to perform the determined washing cycle.

In another embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a machine-readable non-transitory medium having stored machine-executable instructions. The machine-executable instructions when executed, cause a controller to operate a washing machine. The controller is configured to receive the plurality of images of at least one washable fabric from at least one sensor communicatively coupled to the controller, determine a float length of the at least one washable fabric from the received plurality of images. In addition, the controller is configured to compare the determined float length of the at least one washable fabric with a predetermined float length value to determine a washing cycle associated with the determined float length value and control the washing machine to perform the determined washing cycle.

In another embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a method of washing at least one washable fabric in a washing machine. The method comprises receiving, by a controller, a plurality of images of the at least one washable fabric from at least one sensor, and determining, by the controller, a float length of the at least one washable fabric from the received plurality of images. In addition, the method includes comparing, by the controller, the determined float length of the at least one washable fabric with a predetermined float length value to determine a washing cycle associated with the determined float length, and controlling, by the controller, and the washing machine to perform the determined washing cycle.

The washing machine improves the accuracy of the washing cycle of the washing machine by selecting an optimal washing cycle suitable for the at least one washable fabric. The washing cycle determined for the at least one washable fabric facilitates in controlling the one or more parameters of the washing cycle. The one or more parameters of the washing cycle includes but is not limited to, a level of pre-wash, a level of wash temperature, a level of rinse temperature, a rotations per minute for the rotatable cylinder, a wash time, a water level in a washing cycle, the duty cycle, and an on-off time of the washing cycle. Thereby controlling these parameters may facilitate in better fabric care and optimized washing based on a type and a float length of the at least one washable fabric. In addition, the lifespan of the at least one washable fabric is also increased, and degradation of the at least one washable fabric is reduced.

To further clarify the advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 illustrates a planar view of a washing machine, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 2 illustrates a block diagram illustrating the components of a controller for controlling a washing cycle of the washing machine shown in Figure 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 3 illustrates a method of washing at least one washable fabric in the washing machine, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
Figure 4 illustrates a method of processing the image by the controller for determining the washing cycle of the washing machine, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the flow charts illustrate the method in terms of the most prominent steps involved to help to improve understanding of aspects of the present disclosure. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the embodiments in the disclosure are subject to various modifications and alternative forms, the specific embodiment thereof has been shown by way of example in the figures and will be described below. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure.

It is to be noted that a person skilled in the art would be motivated from the present disclosure to modify a metallic insert with plastic thread moulding design for an assembly as disclosed herein. However, such modifications should be construed to be within the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the drawings show only those specific details that are pertinent to understand the embodiments of the present disclosure, so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring to Figure 1 a front planar view of a washing machine 100 is shown. The washing machine 100 includes a housing 102, at least one washing chamber 104 to receive at least one washable fabric 500 in the washing chamber 104, and a controller 106 to facilitate the actuation of the washing chamber 104 and selecting the plurality of parameters of washing based on a fabric type of the at least one washable fabric 500. In addition, the washing chamber 104 of the washing machine 100 includes a rotatable cylinder 105 coupled inside the housing 102 to facilitate the washing of the at least one washable fabric 500. In an embodiment, a rotational speed of the rotatable cylinder 105 is inversely proportional to the determined float length of the at least one washable fabric 500.

In addition, the housing 102 of the washing machine 100 includes at least one sensor 108 communicatively coupled with the controller 106 and adapted to be mounted on the housing 102. The at least one sensor 108 is configured to capture a plurality of images of the at least one washable fabric 500 while a user is loading the washable fabric 500 into the washing machine 100. In an embodiment, the plurality of sensors 108 may be disposed in the washing chamber 104 to facilitate the capturing of the plurality of images of the at least one washable fabric 500. In an embodiment, the at least one sensor 108 may include a photometric stereo sensor for capturing the plurality of images of the at least one washable fabric 500. In an example, the at least one sensor 108 may include a camera to facilitate the capturing of the plurality of images of the at least one washable fabric 500. In an embodiment, the plurality of images is captured while the at least one washable fabric 500 is loaded into the washing machine 100 for cleaning. In another embodiment, the plurality of images is captured while the at least one washable fabric is received inside the rotatable cylinder 105.

Referring to Figure 2, a block diagram 200 illustrating the components of the controller 106. The controller 106may be a single processing unit or a number of units, all of which could include multiple computing units. In another embodiment, the controller 106 may be implemented as one or more microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, central processing units, state machines, logic circuitries, and/or any devices that manipulate signals based on operational instructions. Among other capabilities, the controller 106 is configured to fetch and execute computer-readable instructions from a memory. In addition, the controller 106 is configured to receive the plurality of images of the at least one washable fabric 500 from the at least one sensor 108 and determine a float length of the at least one washable fabric 500 from the received plurality of images. In an example, the float length of the fabric may be determined by the weave structure repeating the same end per inch. In another example, the float length of the fabric may be defined as a wrap of up and down continuously for several times of a weft yarn. In addition, the float length may comprise two or more weaves or one type of weave having different float lengths. The different weaves but same float length is also determined by the controller 106.

In addition, the controller 106 is configured to compare the determined float length of the at least one washable fabric 500 with a predetermined float length value to determine a washing cycle associated with the determined float length. In addition, the controller 106 is configured to control the rotatable cylinder 105 of the washing machine 100 to perform the determined washing cycle. Additionally, the controller 106 is further configured to determine if the at least one washable fabric 500 is a woven fabric before determining the float length of the at least one washable fabric 500. In an embodiment, if the controller 106 determines the fabric is other than the woven fabric, the controller 106 facilitates the initiation of the washing cycle corresponding to a daily mix or a knitted type of fabric washing cycle. Further, in a washing cycle determined by the controller 106, a rotational speed of the rotatable cylinder 105 is inversely proportional to the determined float length of the at least one washable fabric 500. As an example, if the float length of the fabric 500 determined is 5 or 6 of synthetic-based fabric, a gentle washing cycle may be determined. Alternatively, if the float length of the fabric 500 determined is 1 or 2 such as of cotton a normal washing cycle may be selected.

As shown in Figure 2, the controller 106 includes a plurality of modules 120 to facilitate an execution of a plurality of instructions related to receiving the plurality of images of the at least one washable fabric 500, a memory 122 for storing one or more instructions for execution by the controller 106 while the processing is being performed by the controller 106. The memory 122 may be a temporary memory or a random-access memory. The memory 122 also stores a data 124 including a plurality of parameters and a set of predefined instructions for performing a selected washing cycle from the stored washing cycles. In an embodiment, the controller 106 having the data 124 serves amongst other things, such as a repository for storing data processed, received, and generated by one or more of the modules of the controller 106. In an embodiment, the data 124 of the controller 106 includes the data 124 having parameters of washing such as but not limited to a level of pre-wash, a level of wash temperature, a level of rinse temperature, a rotations per minute for the rotatable cylinder, a wash time, a water level in the washing cycle, a duty cycle, an on-off time of the washing cycle. In addition, the parameters are mapped against a range of float length of the fabric and the corresponding washing cycle is selected based on the determined float length of the fabric.

Further, the controller 106 includes a processing module 130, a communication module 132, and a comparing module 134.As shown in Figure 2, the processing module 130 of the controller 106 facilitates the processing of the images from the at least one sensor 108. The processing module 130 of the controller 106 facilitates the handling and processing of the images captured by the at least one sensor 108. In an embodiment, the processing module 130 is configured to execute operations on the digital images captured from the at least one sensor of the washing machine 100 and determine the float length of the at least one washable fabric from the plurality of images received from the sensors 108. In addition, the processing module 130 is configured to enhance the quality of the images captured from the sensors 108 to determine the float length of the at least one washable fabric 500.

The processing module 130 of the controller 106 is configured to receive one or more images from the one or more sensors 108. The processing module 130 facilitates the processing of the image and further facilitates the conversion of the image from a raw image data to a suitable format to facilitate the analysis of the plurality of images from the sensors 108. In addition, the processing module 130 of the controller 106 facilitates in tilting the image to extract a corrected image. The tilting of the image is performed at a predetermined position of the image. In an example, the image with a highest float is tilted by the processing module 130 of the controller 106 for extracting the corrected image.

Further, the processing module 130 of the controller 106 facilitates a histogram equalization of the corrected image. The histogram equalization of the corrected image improves a contrast of the corrected image and extracts an enhanced corrected image. In an example, the histogram equalization by the processing module 130 of the controller 106 transforms the image intensity histogram thereby making the enhanced corrected image more uniform. In addition, the histogram equalization by the processing module 130 improves the visibility and details of the enhanced corrected image in a bright area and a dark area of the enhance corrected image. In this manner, the enhanced corrected image is enhanced in the portion having uneven lighting or poor contrast. In an embodiment, a one or more image filters may be applied to enhance the captured image.

Furthermore, the processing module 130 of the controller 106 preprocesses the enhanced corrected image after histogram equalization. The preprocesses include a gray projecting of the enhanced corrected image to facilitate the extraction of a segment of the enhanced corrected image. The segment of the enhanced corrected image facilitates in dividing the enhanced captured image into a region or an object. In an example, the enhanced captured image may enable the recognition of the fabric type of the at least one washable fabric 500 and the segment extracted from the enhanced captured image defines a portion of a float length of the fabric 500. In an embodiment, the gray projecting of the enhanced corrected image transformation of invariant Low-Rank texture is performed. In an example, the grayscale enhanced captured image on a planar surface is described by a mathematical expression of a two-dimensional function f (x, y) configured to be viewed as a matrix. In a matrix theory, a 2D texture is considered as a function. Then by the TILT principle, a camera angle and a fabric skewness are corrected in the enhanced captured image.

Further, the processing module 130 of the controller 106 is configured to process the segment of the image through a Histogram of Oriented Gradients (HOG) to facilitate the extraction of a gradient or a feature from the segment. The processing of the image via the HOG facilitates the detection of the fabric type and recognizes the pattern of the gradient having the float length of the fabric 500 of the at least one washable fabric 500. In an embodiment, the HOG feature of the image processing facilitates capturing the shape, size, and dimension of the gradient extracted from the enhanced captured image.

Further, the processing module 130 of the controller 106 is configured to perform a Pulse Code Modulating (PCM) of the gradient to determine the float length of the at least one washable fabric. In an example, a float length is determined for the for the gradient of the wrap yarn that is stitched up for the more number of the weft yarn. The pulse code modulation of the gradient of the extracted facilitates the conversion of the visual data into a format that may be analysed via digital processing algorithms to facilitate the determination of the float length of the of the at least one washable fabric 500. In an embodiment, determining of the float length of the at least one washable fabric 500 from the received plurality of images is performed by a machine learning algorithm stored in the memory 122 of the controller 106. Further, the machine learning algorithm stored in the memory 122 of the controller 106 may include at least one of a convolutional neural network (CNN), a fully connected neural network, a pixel exact segmentation neural network (SegNet), a capsule neural network, or a reinforcement learning neural network or any other AI-based tools for calculating the float length by the controller 106.

Further, the communication module 132 of the controller 106 facilitates the transmission of the one or more signals or the captured images from the one or more sensors 108 to the controller 106. In addition, the communication module 132 facilitates the transmission of the signals to the washing machine 100 and the rotatable cylinder 105 for executing the instructions of the washing cycle. The communication module 132 may include a network to facilitate the transmission/receiving of a network from the communication module 132.In an example, the network may be a wired network or a wireless network. In addition, the network may include but is not limited to, a mobile network, a broadband network, a Wide Area Network (WAN), a Local Area Network (LAN), and a Personal Area Network. Further, the communication module 132 of the controller 106 is adapted to transmit the one or more signals from the controller 106 to the washing chamber 104 of the washing machine 100 and determine a washing cycle of the washing machine 100.

In addition, the comparing module 134 of the controller 106 compares the determined float length with the predetermined data stored in the controller 106 to determine the washing cycle of the washing machine 100. The determined washing cycle facilitates in controlling the parameters during washing such as but not limited to the level of pre-wash, the level of wash temperature, the level of rinse temperature, the rotation per minute for the rotatable cylinder 105 of the washing machine 100, the wash time, the water level in the washing cycle, the duty cycle, the on-off time of the washing cycle.

In addition, the washing machine 100 may include a machine-readable non-transitory medium (not shown) having stored thereon machine-executable instructions. The machine-readable non-transitory medium may be a server-based, or an off-site-based central station to facilitate the execution of the controller 106 for operating the washing machine 100 and executing the washing cycles of the washing machine 100. The controller 106 is configured to receive the plurality of images of at least one washable fabric 500 from the at least one sensor108 communicatively coupled to the controller 106. In an embodiment, the at least one sensor 108 comprises a camera for capturing the plurality of images of the at least one washable fabric 500. In addition, the controller 106 is configured to determine the float length of the at least one washable fabric 500 from the received plurality of images and compare the determined float length of the at least one washable fabric 500 with the predetermined float length value to determine a washing cycle associated with the determined float length value. In addition, the controller 106 is configured to control the washing machine 100 to perform the determined washing cycle.

Referring to Figure 3, a method 300 of washing the at least one washable fabric 500 in the washing machine 100 is shown. The method includes a step 302. In step 302, receive the plurality of images of the at least one washable fabric 500 from the at least one sensor 108is performed and the method 500 moves to step 304. In the step 304, the determination of the float length is performed by the processing module 130 of the controller 106 of the at least one washable fabric from the received plurality of images from the one or more sensors 108. Further, the method 300 moves to step 306. In the step 306, a comparison of the determined float length of the at least one washable fabric 500 is performed. For comparing the determined float length, the comparing module 134 of the controller 106 compares the determined float length of the at least one washable fabric with the predetermined float length value stored in the memory 122 of the controller 106. The washing cycle associated with the determined float length is selected from the predetermined float length value stored in the memory 122. In an embodiment for the selected washing cycle a rotational speed of the rotatable cylinder 105 is inversely proportional to the determined float length of the at least one washable fabric 500.

In the step 308, the communication module 132 of the controller 106 sends the instructions to control the washing machine 100 to perform the determined washing cycle. In this manner, the washing of the at least one washable fabric 500 is performed by the washing machine 100.

Referring to Figure 4, a method 400 for processing the image by the processing module 130 of the controller 106 is shown. The method 400 includes a step 402 for receiving the plurality of images from the at least one sensor 108 and tilting the images by the processing module 130 at a predetermined position to facilitate the generation of a corrected image. Further the method 400 moves to step 404. In the step 404, histogram equalization of the corrected images is performed by the processing module 130 of the controller 106. The histogram equalization of the corrected images improves the contrast of the corrected image the enhanced corrected image is extracted, and the method moves to step 406. In the step 406, gray projecting of an enhanced corrected image is performed by the processing module 130 of the controller 106 to extract a segment of the enhanced corrected image. Further, the method 400 moves to step 408. In the step 408, processing the segment by the processing module 130 of the controller 106 is performed. The processing of the segment is preformed through the HOG to extract a gradient from the segment. Furthermore, the method 400 moves to step 410. In the step 410, the PCM of the gradient is being performed by the processing module 130. The PCM facilitates in determining the float length of the at least one washable fabric 500. Based on the determined float length of the at least one washable fabric 500 a corresponding washing cycle is determined and the washing machine 100 executes the washing cycle.

The advantages of the washing machine 100 is now explained. The washing machine 100 improves the accuracy of the washing cycle of the washing machine 100 by selecting a most appropriate washing cycle suitable based on the float length of the at least one washable fabric. The washing cycle determined for the particular fabric facilitates in controlling the one or more parameters of the washing cycle such as but not limited to the level of pre-wash, the level of wash temperature, the level of rinse temperature, the rotations per minute for the rotatable cylinder 105, the wash time, the water level in the washing cycle, the duty cycle, the on-off time of the washing cycle thereby facilitating better fabric care and optimized washing based on a type and the float length of the at least one fabric 500. In addition, the lifespan of the at least one fabric 500 is also increased, and degradation of the at least one fabric is reduced.

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims. , Claims:WE CLAIM:

1. A washing machine (100) comprising:
at least one washing chamber (104) for receiving at least one washable fabric (500);
at least one sensor (108) configured to capture a plurality of images of the at least one washable fabric (500); and
a controller (106) communicatively coupled to the at least one sensor (108), the controller (106) is configured to:
receive the plurality of images of the at least one washable fabric (500) from the at least one sensor (108);
determine a float length of the at least one washable fabric from the received plurality of images;
compare the determined float length of the at least one washable fabric (500) with a predetermined float length value to determine a washing cycle associated with the determined float length; and
control the washing machine (100) to perform the determined washing cycle.

2. The washing machine (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller (106) is further configured to determine if the at least one washable fabric (500) is a woven fabric before determining the float length of the at least one washable fabric.

3. The washing machine (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one washing chamber (104) is housed within a rotatable cylinder (105) and a rotational speed of the rotatable cylinder (105) is inversely proportional to the determined float length of the at least one washable fabric (500).

4. The washing machine (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein determining the float length of the at least one washable fabric (500) from the received plurality of images by the controller (106) comprises:
tilting the image to facilitate a predetermined position of the image to facilitate the determination of a corrected image;
histogram equalization of the corrected images to improve a contrast of the corrected image;
gray projecting of the enhanced corrected image to facilitate a segmentation of the enhanced corrected image;
processing a segment through a histogram of oriented gradients to facilitate the extraction of a gradient from the segment; and
a pulse code modulating of the segment to determine the float length of the at least one washable fabric (500).

5. The washing machine (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein determining the float length of the at least one washable fabric (500) from the received plurality of images is performed by a machine learning algorithm.

6. The washing machine (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the machine learning algorithm comprises at least one of a convolutional neural network (CNN), a fully-connected neural network, a pixel exact segmentation neural network (SegNet), a capsule neural network, or a reinforcement learning neural network.

7. The washing machine (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein determining the float length of the at least one washable fabric (500) from the received plurality of images is performed by an artificial intelligence algorithm.

8. The washing machine (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the washing cycle comprises at least one of a level of pre-wash, a level of wash temperature, a level of rinse temperature, a rotations per minute for the rotatable cylinder (105), a wash time, a water level in the washing cycle, a duty cycle, an on-off time of the washing cycle.

9. A machine-readable non-transitory medium having stored thereon machine-executable instructions that, when executed, cause a controller (106) to operate a washing machine (100), the controller (106) is configured to:
receive the plurality of images of at least one washable fabric (500) from at least one sensor (108) communicatively coupled to the controller (106);
determine a float length of the at least one washable fabric (500) from the received plurality of images;
compare the determined float length of the at least one washable fabric (500) with a predetermined float length value to determine a washing cycle associated with the determined float length value; and
control the washing machine (100) to perform the determined washing cycle.

10. The machine-readable non-transitory medium of claim 9, wherein the at least one sensor (108) comprises a camera for capturing the plurality of images of the at least one washable fabric (500).

11. A method (300) of washing at least one washable fabric (500) in a washing machine (100), the method (300) comprising:
receiving, by a controller (106), a plurality of images of the at least one washable fabric (500) from at least one sensor (108);
determining, by the controller (106), a float length of the at least one washable fabric from the received plurality of images;
comparing, by the controller (106), the determined float length of the at least one washable fabric (500) with a predetermined float length value to determine a washing cycle associated with the determined float length; and
controlling, by the controller (106), and the washing machine (100) to perform the determined washing cycle.