SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SELECTING A PREPROGRAMMED TREATMENT CYCLE BASED ON MULTIPLE LAUNDRY TREATMENT PRODUCTS

Description

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to laundry machines and more specifically to a system and method for selecting a preprogrammed laundry treatment cycle based on multiple laundry treatment products.

BACKGROUND

Various machines for washing articles, including dishwashers and laundry machines, typically involve a user selecting one or more preprogrammed treatment cycles after which the machine operates according to the preprogrammed treatment cycle. For laundry machines, these preprogrammed laundry treatment cycles involve one or more sub-cycles including one or more wash sub-cycles, one or more rinse sub-cycles and one or more spin sub-cycles.

Each preprogrammed laundry treatment cycle also involves one or more fixed parameters, such as fixed time durations of various sub-cycles and a water temperature used during each sub-cycle, as well as others. Additionally, each preprogrammed laundry treatment cycle typically requires the user only use one specific type of laundry treatment product.

SUMMARY

It was discovered that there are several drawbacks to the conventional laundry machines which feature one or more preprogrammed treatment cycles. Specifically, each preprogrammed laundry treatment cycle in conventional laundry machines typically requires that the user only use one type of laundry treatment product. Thus, in the event that a user wants to use multiple types of laundry treatment products for a laundry treatment cycle, these preprogrammed laundry treatment cycles in conventional laundry machines do not accommodate such users.

To overcome these noted drawbacks, the disclosure provided herein includes various aspects which permit a user to input product identity data that identifies multiple laundry treatment products which the user wishes to use in a laundry treatment cycle. This inputted product identity data is then used to determine a specific preprogrammed laundry treatment cycle which is specifically configured to be used with the multiple laundry treatment products indicated by the inputted product identity data. Thus, this disclosure advantageously permits a user to utilize multiple laundry treatment products in a laundry treatment cycle by specifically configuring one or more specific preprogrammed laundry treatment cycles which are particularly designed for use with the inputted multiple laundry treatment products.

In a first set of aspects of the disclosure a laundry machine is provided. The laundry machine includes a user interface configured to receive a user input of a user selected preprogrammed laundry treatment cycle. The laundry machine also includes a processor configured to receive user provided product identity data for multiple laundry treatment products. The processor operates a specific preprogrammed laundry treatment cycle when a predetermined set of the product identity data is received. The processor operates the user selected preprogrammed laundry treatment cycle in absence of receiving the predetermined set of the product identity data.

In a second set of aspects of the disclosure a method is provided for laundering articles. The method includes the step of inputting user provided product identity data to form a user set of multiple laundry treatment products into a processor. The method further includes the step of comparing the user set to a predetermined set of multiple laundry treatment products to determine if the user set matches a predetermined set. Upon detecting that the user set matches the predetermined set, the method includes the step of laundering the articles according to a specific preprogrammed laundry treatment cycle associated with the predetermined set. In absence of detecting that the user set matches the predetermined set, the method includes the step of laundering the articles according to a user selected preprogrammed laundry treatment cycle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many aspects of this disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following figures.

FIG. 1A is an example according to various aspects illustrating a system for operating a laundry machine during a laundry treatment cycle;

FIG. 1B is an example according to various aspects illustrating a mobile device of the system of FIG. 1A being used to gather product identity data of a laundry treatment product;

FIG. 1C is an example according to various aspects illustrating a mobile device of the system of FIG. 1A being used to gather product identity data of a laundry treatment product;

FIG. 2 is an example according to various aspects illustrating a block diagram of the system of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 3A is an example according to various aspects illustrating a user interface with a plurality of active areas to input product identity data for one of a plurality of laundry treatment products for operation of the system of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 3B is an example according to various aspects illustrating an output device to display confirmation that inputted product identity data was received and a specific preprogrammed laundry treatment cycle to be used during operation of the system of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 3C is an example according to various aspects illustrating a user interface with a plurality of active areas to input data regarding the type of textile and stain for purposes of determining one or more laundry treatment products for use in the laundry treatment cycle;

FIG. 4 is an example according to various aspects illustrating a flowchart depicting a method for operating the laundry machine based on an inputted set of product identity data for multiple laundry treatment products;

FIG. 5 is an example according to various aspects illustrating a block diagram of a computer system upon which an aspect of the disclosure may be implemented;

FIG. 6 is an example according to various aspects illustrating a block diagram of a chip set upon which an aspect of the disclosure may be implemented; and

FIG. 7 is an example according to various aspects illustrating a block diagram of a mobile terminal for communications which is capable of operating in the system of FIG. 1A.

It should be understood that the various aspects are not limited to the examples illustrated in the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Introduction and Definitions

This description is written to describe the disclosure to a person having ordinary skill in the art, who will understand that this disclosure is not limited to the specific examples or aspects described. The examples and aspects are single instances of the disclosure which will make a much larger scope apparent to the person having ordinary skill in the art. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by the person having ordinary skill in the art. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing examples and aspects only, and is not intended to be limiting, since the scope of the present disclosure will be limited only by the appended claims.

All the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent, or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features. The examples and aspects described herein are for illustrative purposes only and that various modifications or changes in light thereof will be suggested to the person having ordinary skill in the art and are to be included within the spirit and purview of this application. Many variations and modifications may be made to the aspects of the disclosure without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the disclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure. For example, unless otherwise indicated, the present disclosure is not limited to particular materials, reagents, reaction materials, manufacturing processes, or the like, as such can vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for purposes of describing particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting. It is also possible in the present disclosure that steps can be executed in different sequence where this is logically possible.

All numeric values are herein assumed to be modified by the term “about,” whether or not explicitly indicated. The term “about” generally refers to a range of numbers that one of skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited value (for example, having the same function or result). In many instances, the term “about” may include numbers that are rounded to the nearest significant figure.

In everyday usage, indefinite articles (like “a” or “an”) precede countable nouns and noncountable nouns almost never take indefinite articles. It must be noted, therefore, that, as used in this specification and in the claims that follow, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a support” includes a plurality of supports. Particularly when a single countable noun is listed as an element in a claim, this specification will generally use a phrase such as “a single.” For example, “a single support.”

Unless otherwise specified, all percentages indicating the amount of a component in a composition represent a percent by weight of the component based on the total weight of the composition. The term “mol percent” or “mole percent” generally refers to the percentage that the moles of a particular component are of the total moles that are in a mixture. The sum of the mole fractions for each component in a solution is equal to 1.

Where a range of values is provided, it is understood that each intervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit (unless the context clearly dictates otherwise), between the upper and lower limit of that range, and any other stated or intervening value in that stated range, is encompassed within the disclosure. The upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges may independently be included in the smaller ranges and are also encompassed within the disclosure, subject to any specifically excluded limit in the stated range. Where the stated range includes one or both of the limits, ranges excluding either or both of those included limits are also included in the disclosure.

In this specification and in the claims that follow, reference will be made to a number of terms that shall be defined to have the following meanings unless a contrary intention is apparent.

“Laundry machine” generally refers to a machine that is used to launder textiles such as garments, clothing, bedding and other textiles.

“Product identity data” refers to data that indicates a particular laundry treatment product.

“Laundry treatment product” refers to any product used in conjunction with a laundry machine to launder textiles using a laundry treatment cycle.

“Laundry treatment cycle” refers to a cycle of a laundry machine in washing textiles such as clothing. The laundry treatment cycle may include one or more sub-cycles such as a wash sub-cycle, a rinse sub-cycle and a spin sub-cycle.

System

FIG. 1A is an example according to various aspects illustrating a system for operating a laundry machine 100 during a laundry treatment cycle. The laundry machine 100 includes a cabinet 102 having an interior 103. A tub 110 is positioned within the interior 103 and the tub 110 has an interior volume 111. A drum 106 is positioned within the tub 110. A motor 114 is engaged with the drum 106. A processor 108 is also provided that is communicatively coupled with the motor 114 and other components (e.g. water valve 115 in FIG. 2, detergent receptacle, etc.) to control operation of the laundry machine 100 during one or more phases or sub-cycles (e.g. wash sub-cycle, rinse sub-cycle and spin sub-cycle) of the laundry treatment cycle.

In one aspect of the disclosure, the system receives input of product identity data that identifies multiple laundry treatment products that the user wants to utilize during a next laundry treatment cycle. The inputted product identity data is then used by the processor 108 to determine one or more preprogrammed laundry treatment cycles based on the inputted data. If the inputted product identity data does not correspond with a preprogrammed laundry treatment cycle, then the system operates according to a user selected preprogrammed laundry treatment cycle. In this aspect of the disclosure, a user interface is provided to receive a user input of a user-selected preprogrammed laundry treatment cycle. In one example aspect of the disclosure, the user interface is the display 104 (e.g. touchscreen) on the exterior surface 122 of the cabinet 102. In another example aspect of the disclosure, the user interface is the display 120 on the mobile device 112. In yet another example aspect of the disclosure, the user interface is a switch 140 (e.g. mechanical switch or electronic switch) on the exterior surface 122 of the cabinet 102. In some aspects of the disclosure, the system does not receive input of the product identity data and does not select a preprogrammed laundry treatment cycle based on the inputted product identity data.

FIG. 1B is an example according to one aspect illustrating the mobile device 112 of the system of FIG. 1A being used to gather product identity data of a laundry treatment product 130. As shown in FIG. 1B, a camera of the mobile device 112 is activated to capture image data within a field of view 128 that is oriented towards a container of the laundry treatment product 130. In one example aspect, the mobile device 112 camera captures image data of a label 131 on the laundry treatment product 130 container which indicates product identity data (e.g. text on the label 13 that indicates one or more laundry active ingredients such as surfactant, softening active, bleach, acid, perfume, a tracer and combinations thereof). The mobile device 112 is in wireless communication (e.g. Bluetooth) with the processor 108 of the laundry machine 100 and transmits this image data to the processor 108 which subsequently processes the image data to determine the product identity data of the laundry treatment product 130. In another aspect of the disclosure, the mobile device 112 processes the image data to determine the product identity data and subsequently transmits this product identity data to the processor 108 of the laundry machine 100. The user repeats this process for multiple laundry treatment products 130 so that product identity data for multiple laundry treatment products is received by the processor 108.

Although FIG. 1B depicts an aspect where the mobile device 112 is used to gather product identity data from the label 131 of the laundry treatment product 130 in other aspects the mobile device 112 is used to gather other product identity data. FIG. 1C is an example according to one aspect illustrating the mobile device 112 being used to gather product identity data. In one example aspect, the mobile device 112 captures image data of laundry treatment products 130a, 130b that is processed to identify one or more characteristics of the laundry treatment products including one or more of shape, phase (liquid or solid), size (e.g. size of particles of the laundry treatment product 130b), color, active ingredient (based on radiation spectrum of the captured image data that is processed to identify one or more chemicals in the laundry treatment product), etc. This captured image data from the mobile device 112 is transmitted to the processor 108 of the laundry machine 100 to be processed in order to determine the product identity data for each laundry treatment product 130a, 130b. In other aspects, the processor of the mobile device 112 processes the image data to determine the product identity data and then transmits the product identity data to the processor 108. In an example aspect, the processed image data from the mobile device 112 is used to identify product identity data including a laundry active ingredient selected from the group of surfactant, softening active, bleach, acid, perfume, a tracer (e.g., optionally and inactive tracer) and combinations thereof.

FIG. 2 is an example according to various aspects illustrating a block diagram of the system of FIG. 1A. The block diagram of FIG. 2 depicts the data transmission between multiple components of the system. Although FIG. 2 depicts that the mobile device 112 is used to provide the product identity data 113 to the processor 108, in other aspects the user interface 104 can be used to provide the product identity data 113 (e.g. user manually inputting the product identity data).

In various aspects, the processor 108 includes a specific cycle module 160 with instructions to cause the system and processor 108 to perform one or more steps of the method 200 of FIG. 4. In some aspects, the processor 108 comprises a general purpose computer system, as depicted in FIG. 5 or a chip set as depicted in FIG. 6 or a mobile terminal as depicted in FIG. 7.

In one aspect, the processor 108 is configured to receive user provided product identity data 113 for multiple laundry treatment products 130a, 130b. A memory 164 of the processor 108 has stored a plurality of specific preprogrammed laundry treatment cycles which each correspond to a predetermined set of product identity data. Table 1 below depicts an example of data stored in the memory 164 including a plurality of specific preprogrammed laundry treatment cycles and a unique corresponding predetermined set of product identity data for each specific preprogrammed laundry treatment cycle:

As shown in Table 1, for each specific preprogrammed treatment cycle (e.g., A, B, C, D), there is a unique set of product identity data indicating multiple (e.g. three) laundry treatment products. Although Table 1 depicts four different specific preprogrammed laundry treatment cycles and product identity data for three laundry treatment products, this is just one example aspect and the stored data in the memory 164 can include any number of specific preprogrammed laundry treatment cycles and any number of corresponding laundry treatment products associated with each specific preprogrammed laundry treatment cycle. In some aspects, each of the specific preprogrammed laundry treatment cycles are different than the user selected preprogrammed laundry treatment cycles (e.g. manually selected by the user via the switch 140). In these aspects, the specific preprogrammed laundry treatment cycles differ from the user selected preprogrammed laundry treatment based on one or more parameters (e.g. time duration of one or more sub-cycles, water temperature during one or more sub-cycles, etc.).

When the processor 108 receives inputted product identity data 113 for the multiple treatment products 130a, 130b, the processor 108 compares the inputted product identity data 113 with each unique predetermined set of product identity data stored in the memory 164. If the inputted product identity data 113 matches a predetermined set of product identity data stored in the memory 164, the processor 108 determines the specific preprogrammed laundry treatment cycle corresponding to the predetermined set of product identity data. In one aspect, the processor 108 then operates the laundry machine 100 in accordance with this specific preprogrammed laundry treatment cycle (e.g. signals the motor 114 and/or water valves 115 during the various wash, rinse and spin cycles of the specific preprogrammed laundry treatment cycle). In one example aspect, if the user provides product identity data 113 for multiple treatment products BCD then the processor 108 would utilize the stored data (e.g. Table 1 above) in the memory 164 to determine that the inputted product identity data 113 matches a unique predetermined set of product identity data (BCD) in the memory 164 and determine the specific preprogrammed laundry treatment cycle (3 in Table 1) corresponding to this unique set.

In one aspect, the multiple specific preprogrammed laundry treatment cycles stored in the memory 164 (e.g. 1, 2, 3, 4 in Table 1) each include a wash sub-cycle and a rinse sub-cycle, where the wash sub-cycles differ from one another. In an example aspect, the wash sub-cycles differ from one another in a manner selected from the group of wash water temperature, wash water volume, wash liquor concentration, timing of application of said laundry treatment products, applied mechanical energy, cycle duration, and combinations thereof.

In another aspect, the multiple specific preprogrammed laundry treatment cycle stored in the memory 164 each include a wash sub-cycle and a rinse sub-cycle, where the rinse sub-cycles differ from one another. In an example aspect, the rinse sub-cycles differ from one another in a manner selected from the group of wash water temperature, wash water volume, wash liquor concentration, timing of application of said laundry treatment products, applied mechanical energy, cycle duration, and combinations thereof.

Although the mobile device 112 can be used to input the product identity data 113 using the camera, this is not the only aspect of the disclosure for inputting the product identity data 113. In other aspects, the user interface (e.g. touchscreen display 104, mobile device display 120) can be used to manually input the product identity data. FIG. 3A is an example according to various aspects illustrating a user interface (e.g. display 104, display 120) with a plurality of active areas 165a, 165b, 165c, 165d to input product identity data for one of a plurality of laundry treatment products 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d for operation of the system of FIG. 1A. After selecting the one or more active areas 165a through 165d corresponding to the plurality of laundry treatment products 130a through 130d, the product identity data 113 is transmitted from the user interface to the processor 108.

After manually inputting the product identity data, in another aspect the output device (e.g. touchscreen display 104, mobile device display 120) can output indicia 158 for confirmation of the inputted product identity data and identification of a specific preprogrammed laundry treatment cycle based on the inputted product identity data. FIG. 3B is an example according to various aspects illustrating an output device (e.g. display 104, display 120) to display confirmation that inputted product identity data was received (“Identity Data received for products 130a, 130b) and a specific preprogrammed laundry treatment cycle (“X”) to be used during operation of the system of FIG. 1A. The indicia 158 output on the output device in FIG. 3B can be visual, audible or tactile.

In other aspects, the user can also input data other than the product identity data which can be used to select the specific preprogrammed laundry treatment cycle. In one example aspect, the user interface (e.g. touchscreen display 104, mobile device display 120) can prompt the user to input data regarding the type of textile and/or the type of stain on the textile. As shown in FIG. 3C, the user interface (e.g. touchscreen display 104) features a first plurality of active areas 180a, 180b for the user to input a type of textile to be washed and a second plurality of active areas 180c, 180d for the user to input a type of stain (e.g. ink stain, wine stain, etc.). In these example aspects, the processor 108 can receive this inputted data and also use this data (in addition to the product identity data 113) to select one of the specific preprogrammed laundry treatment cycles. In this example aspect, the memory 164 further includes data for each specific preprogrammed laundry treatment cycle including recommended textiles and/or recommended stains that can be effectively removed from the recommended textiles.

Method for Selecting Treatment Cycle based on Product Identity Data

A method for selecting a specific preprogrammed laundry treatment cycle based on the inputted product identity data will now be discussed. FIG. 4 is an example according to various aspects illustrating a flowchart depicting a method 200 for operating the laundry machine 100 based on an inputted set of product identity data 113 for multiple laundry treatment products 130.

In one aspect, the method 200 includes inputting 202 user provided product identity data 113 to form a user set of multiple laundry treatment products into the processor 108. In one example aspect, the input step 202 is performed using the user interface (e.g. touchscreen display 104 of the laundry machine 100, mobile device display 120). As shown in FIG. 3A, in one aspect multiple active areas 165a through 165d are output on the display 104 and can be activated by the user to provide the product identity data for the respective multiple laundry treatment products. In another aspect, the input step 202 is performed by capturing image data of the laundry treatment product 130 with a camera of the mobile device 112 (FIGS. 1B and 1C).

In another aspect, the method 200 includes a second inputting 204 step where the user selects a preprogrammed laundry treatment cycle. In one example aspect, step 204 is performed using the switch 140 (e.g. mechanical switch or electronic switch) on the exterior surface 122 of the laundry machine 100. In some aspects, step 204 is omitted.

In an aspect of the disclosure, the method 200 then includes a step of comparing 206 the user set of multiple laundry treatment products from step 202 with a predetermined set of multiple laundry treatment products. In an example aspect, the memory 164 of the processor 108 has stored a plurality of specific preprogrammed treatment cycle which each correspond to a unique predetermined set of multiple laundry treatment products. Thus, in this example aspect, step 204 involves the processor 108 comparing the inputted user set of multiple laundry treatment products from step 202 with each unique predetermined set of multiple laundry treatment products in the memory 164.

In block 208, the processor 108 determines whether the user inputted set of multiple laundry treatment products matches one of the unique predetermined set of multiple laundry treatment products stored in the memory 164. If a match results, the method 200 proceeds to block 210. If no match results, the method 200 proceeds to block 212.

In block 210, the method 200 launders the articles according to a specific preprogrammed laundry treatment cycle that corresponds to the unique predetermined set of multiple laundry treatment products that matches the inputted data in block 208. In an example aspect, in block 210 the processor 108 controls the various components of the laundry machine 100 (e.g. motor 114, water valves 115, etc.) to enact the specific preprogrammed laundry treatment cycle. In an example aspect, if the user inputted laundry treatment products A, B and D, then the processor 108 identifies (see Table 1) this unique predetermined set of laundry treatment products in Table 1 and proceeds to launder the articles based on the specific preprogrammed laundry treatment cycle (2) corresponding to this unique predetermined set of laundry treatment products. In some aspects, in block 210 additional steps are taken such as outputting a user stimulus 158 (FIG. 3B) indicating that product identity data for a unique predetermined set of laundry treatment products is received and that a specific preprogrammed laundry treatment cycle (e.g. X in FIG. 3B) corresponding to this unique predetermined set of laundry treatment products will commence.

In some aspects, in block 210 the use of a specific preprogrammed laundry treatment cycle associated with a particular predetermined set of laundry treatment products is counted by the processor 108. In an example aspect, this count is used for various applications, such as for the user receiving a reward after a certain number of uses, a coupon, cashback, a free product or any combination thereof.

In block 212, the method 200 launders the articles according to the user selected preprogrammed treatment cycle from step 204. This is due to no match resulting in block 208 and thus there is no specific preprogrammed laundry treatment cycle stored in the memory 164 that corresponds to the multiple laundry treatment products inputted in step 202.

Hardware

FIG. 5 is a block diagram that illustrates a computer system 300 upon which an embodiment of the invention may be implemented. Computer system 300 includes a communication mechanism such as a bus 310 for passing information between other internal and external components of the computer system 300. Information is represented as physical signals of a measurable phenomenon, typically electric voltages, but including, in other embodiments, such phenomena as magnetic, electromagnetic, pressure, chemical, molecular atomic and quantum interactions. For example, north and south magnetic fields, or a zero and non-zero electric voltage, represent two states (0, 1) of a binary digit (bit). Other phenomena can represent digits of a higher base. A superposition of multiple simultaneous quantum states before measurement represents a quantum bit (qubit). A sequence of one or more digits constitutes digital data that is used to represent a number or code for a character. In some embodiments, information called analog data is represented by a near continuum of measurable values within a particular range. Computer system 300, or a portion thereof, constitutes a means for performing one or more steps of one or more methods described herein.

A sequence of binary digits constitutes digital data that is used to represent a number or code for a character. A bus 310 includes many parallel conductors of information so that information is transferred quickly among devices coupled to the bus 310. One or more processors 302 for processing information are coupled with the bus 310. A processor 302 performs a set of operations on information. The set of operations include bringing information in from the bus 310 and placing information on the bus 310. The set of operations also typically include comparing two or more units of information, shifting positions of units of information, and combining two or more units of information, such as by addition or multiplication. A sequence of operations to be executed by the processor 302 constitutes computer instructions.

Computer system 300 also includes a memory 304 coupled to bus 310. The memory 304, such as a random access memory (RAM) or other dynamic storage device, stores information including computer instructions. Dynamic memory allows information stored therein to be changed by the computer system 300. RAM allows a unit of information stored at a location called a memory address to be stored and retrieved independently of information at neighboring addresses. The memory 304 is also used by the processor 302 to store temporary values during execution of computer instructions. The computer system 300 also includes a read only memory (ROM) 306 or other static storage device coupled to the bus 310 for storing static information, including instructions, that is not changed by the computer system 300. Also coupled to bus 310 is a non-volatile (persistent) storage device 308, such as a magnetic disk or optical disk, for storing information, including instructions, that persists even when the computer system 300 is turned off or otherwise loses power.

Information, including instructions, is provided to the bus 310 for use by the processor from an external input device 312, such as a keyboard containing alphanumeric keys operated by a human user, or a sensor. A sensor detects conditions in its vicinity and transforms those detections into signals compatible with the signals used to represent information in computer system 300. Other external devices coupled to bus 310, used primarily for interacting with humans, include a display device 314, such as a cathode ray tube (CRT) or a liquid crystal display (LCD), for presenting images, and a pointing device 316, such as a mouse or a trackball or cursor direction keys, for controlling a position of a small cursor image presented on the display 314 and issuing commands associated with graphical elements presented on the display 314.

In the illustrated embodiment, special purpose hardware, such as an application specific integrated circuit (IC) 320, is coupled to bus 310. The special purpose hardware is configured to perform operations not performed by processor 302 quickly enough for special purposes. Examples of application specific ICs include graphics accelerator cards for generating images for display 314, cryptographic boards for encrypting and decrypting messages sent over a network, speech recognition, and interfaces to special external devices, such as robotic arms and medical scanning equipment that repeatedly perform some complex sequence of operations that are more efficiently implemented in hardware.

Computer system 300 also includes one or more instances of a communications interface 370 coupled to bus 310. Communication interface 370 provides a two-way communication coupling to a variety of external devices that operate with their own processors, such as printers, scanners and external disks. In general the coupling is with a network link 378 that is connected to a local network 380 to which a variety of external devices with their own processors are connected. For example, communication interface 370 may be a parallel port or a serial port or a universal serial bus (USB) port on a personal computer. In some embodiments, communications interface 370 is an integrated services digital network (ISDN) card or a digital subscriber line (DSL) card or a telephone modem that provides an information communication connection to a corresponding type of telephone line. In some embodiments, a communication interface 370 is a cable modem that converts signals on bus 310 into signals for a communication connection over a coaxial cable or into optical signals for a communication connection over a fiber optic cable. As another example, communications interface 370 may be a local area network (LAN) card to provide a data communication connection to a compatible LAN, such as Ethernet. Wireless links may also be implemented. Carrier waves, such as acoustic waves and electromagnetic waves, including radio, optical and infrared waves travel through space without wires or cables. Signals include man-made variations in amplitude, frequency, phase, polarization or other physical properties of carrier waves. For wireless links, the communications interface 370 sends and receives electrical, acoustic or electromagnetic signals, including infrared and optical signals, that carry information streams, such as digital data.

The term computer-readable medium is used herein to refer to any medium that participates in providing information to processor 302, including instructions for execution. Such a medium may take many forms, including, but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media and transmission media. Non-volatile media include, for example, optical or magnetic disks, such as storage device 308. Volatile media include, for example, dynamic memory 304. Transmission media include, for example, coaxial cables, copper wire, fiber optic cables, and waves that travel through space without wires or cables, such as acoustic waves and electromagnetic waves, including radio, optical and infrared waves. The term computer-readable storage medium is used herein to refer to any medium that participates in providing information to processor 302, except for transmission media.

Common forms of computer-readable media include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, a hard disk, a magnetic tape, or any other magnetic medium, a compact disk ROM (CD-ROM), a digital video disk (DVD) or any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, or any other physical medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, a programmable ROM (PROM), an erasable PROM (EPROM), a FLASH-EPROM, or any other memory chip or cartridge, a carrier wave, or any other medium from which a computer can read. The term non-transitory computer-readable storage medium is used herein to refer to any medium that participates in providing information to processor 302, except for carrier waves and other signals.

Logic encoded in one or more tangible media includes one or both of processor instructions on a computer-readable storage media and special purpose hardware, such as ASIC *320.

Network link 378 typically provides information communication through one or more networks to other devices that use or process the information. For example, network link 378 may provide a connection through local network 380 to a host computer 382 or to equipment 384 operated by an Internet Service Provider (ISP). ISP equipment 384 in turn provides data communication services through the public, world-wide packet-switching communication network of networks now commonly referred to as the Internet 390. A computer called a server 392 connected to the Internet provides a service in response to information received over the Internet. For example, server 392 provides information representing video data for presentation at display 314.

The invention is related to the use of computer system 300 for implementing the techniques described herein. According to one embodiment of the invention, those techniques are performed by computer system 300 in response to processor 302 executing one or more sequences of one or more instructions contained in memory 304. Such instructions, also called software and program code, may be read into memory 304 from another computer-readable medium such as storage device 308. Execution of the sequences of instructions contained in memory 304 causes processor 302 to perform the method steps described herein. In alternative embodiments, hardware, such as application specific integrated circuit 320, may be used in place of or in combination with software to implement the invention. Thus, embodiments of the invention are not limited to any specific combination of hardware and software.

The signals transmitted over network link 378 and other networks through communications interface 370, carry information to and from computer system 300. Computer system 300 can send and receive information, including program code, through the networks 380, 390 among others, through network link 378 and communications interface 370. In an example using the Internet 390, a server 392 transmits program code for a particular application, requested by a message sent from computer 300, through Internet 390, ISP equipment 384, local network 380 and communications interface 370. The received code may be executed by processor 302 as it is received, or may be stored in storage device 308 or other non-volatile storage for later execution, or both. In this manner, computer system 300 may obtain application program code in the form of a signal on a carrier wave.

Various forms of computer readable media may be involved in carrying one or more sequence of instructions or data or both to processor 302 for execution. For example, instructions and data may initially be carried on a magnetic disk of a remote computer such as host 382. The remote computer loads the instructions and data into its dynamic memory and sends the instructions and data over a telephone line using a modem. A modem local to the computer system 300 receives the instructions and data on a telephone line and uses an infra-red transmitter to convert the instructions and data to a signal on an infra-red a carrier wave serving as the network link 378. An infrared detector serving as communications interface 370 receives the instructions and data carried in the infrared signal and places information representing the instructions and data onto bus 310. Bus 310 carries the information to memory 304 from which processor 302 retrieves and executes the instructions using some of the data sent with the instructions. The instructions and data received in memory 304 may optionally be stored on storage device 308, either before or after execution by the processor 302.

FIG. 6 illustrates a chip set 400 upon which an embodiment of the invention may be implemented. Chip set 400 is programmed to perform one or more steps of a method described herein and includes, for instance, the processor and memory components described with respect to FIG. 5 incorporated in one or more physical packages (e.g., chips). By way of example, a physical package includes an arrangement of one or more materials, components, and/or wires on a structural assembly (e.g., a baseboard) to provide one or more characteristics such as physical strength, conservation of size, and/or limitation of electrical interaction. It is contemplated that in certain embodiments the chip set can be implemented in a single chip. Chip set 400, or a portion thereof, constitutes a means for performing one or more steps of a method described herein.

In one embodiment, the chip set 400 includes a communication mechanism such as a bus 401 for passing information among the components of the chip set 400. A processor 403 has connectivity to the bus 401 to execute instructions and process information stored in, for example, a memory 405. The processor 403 may include one or more processing cores with each core configured to perform independently. A multi-core processor enables multiprocessing within a single physical package. Examples of a multi-core processor include two, four, eight, or greater numbers of processing cores. Alternatively or in addition, the processor 403 may include one or more microprocessors configured in tandem via the bus 401 to enable independent execution of instructions, pipelining, and multithreading. The processor 403 may also be accompanied with one or more specialized components to perform certain processing functions and tasks such as one or more digital signal processors (DSP) 407, or one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC) 409. A DSP 407 typically is configured to process real-world signals (e.g., sound) in real time independently of the processor 403. Similarly, an ASIC 409 can be configured to performed specialized functions not easily performed by a general purposed processor. Other specialized components to aid in performing the inventive functions described herein include one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) (not shown), one or more controllers (not shown), or one or more other special-purpose computer chips.

The processor 403 and accompanying components have connectivity to the memory 405 via the bus 401. The memory 405 includes both dynamic memory (e.g., RAM, magnetic disk, writable optical disk, etc.) and static memory (e.g., ROM, CD-ROM, etc.) for storing executable instructions that when executed perform one or more steps of a method described herein. The memory 405 also stores the data associated with or generated by the execution of one or more steps of the methods described herein.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of exemplary components of a mobile terminal 500 (e.g., cell phone handset) for communications, which is capable of operating in the system of FIG. 2, according to one embodiment. In some embodiments, mobile terminal 501, or a portion thereof, constitutes a means for performing one or more steps described herein. Generally, a radio receiver is often defined in terms of front-end and back-end characteristics. The front-end of the receiver encompasses all of the Radio Frequency (RF) circuitry whereas the back-end encompasses all of the base-band processing circuitry. As used in this application, the term “circuitry” refers to both: (1) hardware-only implementations (such as implementations in only analog and/or digital circuitry), and (2) to combinations of circuitry and software (and/or firmware) (such as, if applicable to the particular context, to a combination of processor(s), including digital signal processor(s), software, and memory (ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions). This definition of “circuitry” applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application and if applicable to the particular context, the term “circuitry” would also cover an implementation of merely a processor (or multiple processors) and its (or their) accompanying software/or firmware. The term “circuitry” would also cover if applicable to the particular context, for example, a baseband integrated circuit or applications processor integrated circuit in a mobile phone or a similar integrated circuit in a cellular network device or other network devices.

Pertinent internal components of the telephone include a Main Control Unit (MCU) 503, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) 505, and a receiver/transmitter unit including a microphone gain control unit and a speaker gain control unit. A main display unit 507 provides a display to the user in support of various applications and mobile terminal functions that perform or support the steps as described herein. The display 507 includes display circuitry configured to display at least a portion of a user interface of the mobile terminal (e.g., mobile telephone). Additionally, the display 507 and display circuitry are configured to facilitate user control of at least some functions of the mobile terminal. An audio function circuitry 509 includes a microphone 511 and microphone amplifier that amplifies the speech signal output from the microphone 511. The amplified speech signal output from the microphone 511 is fed to a coder/decoder (CODEC) 513. A radio section 515 amplifies power and converts frequency in order to communicate with a base station, which is included in a mobile communication system, via antenna 517. The power amplifier (PA) 519 and the transmitter/modulation circuitry are operationally responsive to the MCU 503, with an output from the PA 519 coupled to the duplexer 521 or circulator or antenna switch, as known in the art. The PA 519 also couples to a battery interface and power control unit 520.

In use, a user of mobile terminal 501 speaks into the microphone 511 and his or her voice along with any detected background noise is converted into an analog voltage. The analog voltage is then converted into a digital signal through the Analog to Digital Converter (ADC) 523. The control unit 503 routes the digital signal into the DSP 505 for processing therein, such as speech encoding, channel encoding, encrypting, and interleaving. In one embodiment, the processed voice signals are encoded, by units not separately shown, using a cellular transmission protocol such as enhanced data rates for global evolution (EDGE), general packet radio service (GPRS), global system for mobile communications (GSM), Internet protocol multimedia subsystem (IMS), universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS), etc., as well as any other suitable wireless medium, e.g., microwave access (WiMAX), Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks, code division multiple access (CDMA), wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA), wireless fidelity (WiFi), satellite, and the like, or any combination thereof.

The encoded signals are then routed to an equalizer 525 for compensation of any frequency-dependent impairments that occur during transmission though the air such as phase and amplitude distortion. After equalizing the bit stream, the modulator 527 combines the signal with a RF signal generated in the RF interface 529. The modulator 527 generates a sine wave by way of frequency or phase modulation. In order to prepare the signal for transmission, an up-converter 531 combines the sine wave output from the modulator 527 with another sine wave generated by a synthesizer 533 to achieve the desired frequency of transmission. The signal is then sent through a PA 519 to increase the signal to an appropriate power level. In practical systems, the PA 519 acts as a variable gain amplifier whose gain is controlled by the DSP 505 from information received from a network base station. The signal is then filtered within the duplexer 521 and optionally sent to an antenna coupler 535 to match impedances to provide maximum power transfer. Finally, the signal is transmitted via antenna 517 to a local base station. An automatic gain control (AGC) can be supplied to control the gain of the final stages of the receiver. The signals may be forwarded from there to a remote telephone which may be another cellular telephone, any other mobile phone or a land-line connected to a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), or other telephony networks.

Voice signals transmitted to the mobile terminal 501 are received via antenna 517 and immediately amplified by a low noise amplifier (LNA) 537. A down-converter 539 lowers the carrier frequency while the demodulator 541 strips away the RF leaving only a digital bit stream. The signal then goes through the equalizer 525 and is processed by the DSP 505. A Digital to Analog Converter (DAC) 543 converts the signal and the resulting output is transmitted to the user through the speaker 545, all under control of a Main Control Unit (MCU) 503 which can be implemented as a Central Processing Unit (CPU) (not shown).

The MCU 503 receives various signals including input signals from the keyboard 547. The keyboard 547 and/or the MCU 503 in combination with other user input components (e.g., the microphone 511) comprise a user interface circuitry for managing user input. The MCU 503 runs a user interface software to facilitate user control of at least some functions of the mobile terminal 501 as described herein. The MCU 503 also delivers a display command and a switch command to the display 507 and to the speech output switching controller, respectively. Further, the MCU 503 exchanges information with the DSP 505 and can access an optionally incorporated SIM card 549 and a memory 551. In addition, the MCU 503 executes various control functions required of the terminal. The DSP 505 may, depending upon the implementation, perform any of a variety of conventional digital processing functions on the voice signals. Additionally, DSP 505 determines the background noise level of the local environment from the signals detected by microphone 511 and sets the gain of microphone 511 to a level selected to compensate for the natural tendency of the user of the mobile terminal 501.

The CODEC 513 includes the ADC 523 and DAC 543. The memory 551 stores various data including call incoming tone data and is capable of storing other data including music data received via, e.g., the global Internet. The software module could reside in RAM memory, flash memory, registers, or any other form of writable storage medium known in the art. The memory device 551 may be, but not limited to, a single memory, CD, DVD, ROM, RAM, EEPROM, optical storage, magnetic disk storage, flash memory storage, or any other non-volatile storage medium capable of storing digital data.

An optionally incorporated SIM card 549 carries, for instance, important information, such as the cellular phone number, the carrier supplying service, subscription details, and security information. The SIM card 549 serves primarily to identify the mobile terminal 501 on a radio network. The card 549 also contains a memory for storing a personal telephone number registry, text messages, and user specific mobile terminal settings.

In some embodiments, the mobile terminal 501 includes a digital camera comprising an array of optical detectors, such as charge coupled device (CCD) array 565. The output of the array is image data that is transferred to the MCU for further processing or storage in the memory 551 or both. In the illustrated embodiment, the light impinges on the optical array through a lens 563, such as a pin-hole lens or a material lens made of an optical grade glass or plastic material. In the illustrated embodiment, the mobile terminal 501 includes a light source 561, such as a LED to illuminate a subject for capture by the optical array, e.g., CCD 565. The light source is powered by the battery interface and power control module 520 and controlled by the MCU 503 based on instructions stored or loaded into the MCU 503.

Combinations

An Example follows:

• • A. A laundry machine comprising:
  • a user interface configured to receive a user input of a user selected preprogrammed laundry treatment cycle;
  • a processor configured to receive user provided product identity data for multiple laundry treatment products, wherein said processor operates a specific preprogrammed laundry treatment cycle when a predetermined set of said product identity data is received and said processor operates said user selected preprogrammed laundry treatment cycle in absence of receiving said predetermined set of said product identity data.
  • B. The laundry machine according to Paragraph A, wherein said user interface is selected from the group of a touch screen on board said laundry machine, a mobile device in wireless communication with said laundry machine, a mechanical switch on board said laundry machine, and an electronic switch on board said laundry machine.
  • C. The laundry machine according to Paragraph A or B, wherein said product identity data comprises shapes of said multiple laundry treatment products.
  • D. The laundry machine according to any of Paragraphs A to C, wherein said processor is configured to select amongst multiple specific preprogrammed laundry treatment cycles that differ from one another and are each uniquely associated with one unique predetermined set of said product identity data.
  • E. The laundry machine according to Paragraph D, wherein said multiple specific preprogrammed laundry treatment cycles each comprise a wash sub-cycle and a rinse sub-cycle, wherein said wash sub-cycles differ from one another.
  • F. The laundry machine according to Paragraph E, wherein said wash sub-cycles differ from one another in a manner selected from the group of wash water temperature, wash water volume, wash liquor concentration, timing of application of said laundry treatment products, applied mechanical energy, cycle duration, and combinations thereof.
  • G. The laundry machine according to any of Paragraphs D to F, wherein said multiple specific preprogrammed laundry treatment cycles each comprise a wash sub-cycle and a rinse sub-cycle, wherein said rinse sub-cycles differ from one another.
  • H. The laundry machine according to Paragraph G, wherein said rinse sub-cycles differ from one another in a manner selected from the group of wash water temperature, wash water volume, wash liquor concentration, timing of application of said laundry treatment products, applied mechanical energy, cycle duration, and combinations thereof.
  • I. The laundry machine according to any of Paragraphs A to H, wherein said product identity data is associated with presence of a laundry active ingredient selected from the group of surfactant, softening active, bleach, acid, perfume, a tracer, and combinations thereof.
  • J. The laundry machine according to any of Paragraphs A to I, wherein said processor is configured to disseminate a user stimulus when a predetermined set of said product identity data is received.
  • K. A process for laundering articles using a laundry machine according to any of Paragraphs A to J comprising steps of:
  • inputting user provided product identity data to form a user set of multiple laundry treatment products into a processor;
  • comparing said user set to a predetermined set of multiple laundry treatment products to determine if said user set matches a predetermined set;
  • upon detecting that said user set matches said predetermined set, laundering said articles according to a specific preprogrammed laundry treatment cycle associated with said predetermined set;
  • in absence of detecting that said user set matches said predetermined set, laundering said articles according to a user selected preprogrammed laundry treatment cycle.
  • L. The process according to Paragraph K, wherein said user provided product identity data is input using a user interface selected from the group of a touch screen on board said laundry machine, a mobile device in wireless communication with said laundry machine, a mechanical switch on board said laundry machine, and an electronic switch on board said laundry machine.
  • M. The process according to Paragraph K or L, wherein said product identity data comprises shapes of said multiple laundry treatment products.
  • N. The process according to any of Paragraphs K to M., wherein said processor is configured to select amongst multiple specific preprogrammed laundry treatment cycles that differ from one another and are each uniquely associated with one unique predetermined set of said multiple laundry treatment products.
  • O. The process according to Paragraph N, wherein said multiple specific preprogrammed laundry treatment cycles each comprise a wash sub-cycle and a rinse sub-cycle, wherein said wash sub-cycles differ from one another.
  • P. The process according to Paragraph O, wherein said wash sub-cycles differ from one another in a manner selected from the group of wash water temperature, wash water volume, wash liquor concentration, timing of application of said laundry treatment products, applied mechanical energy, cycle duration, and combinations thereof.
  • Q. The laundry machine according to Paragraphs N to P, wherein said multiple specific preprogrammed laundry treatment cycles each comprise a wash sub-cycle and a rinse sub-cycle, wherein said rinse sub-cycles differ from one another.
  • R. The laundry machine according to Paragraphs O to Q, wherein said rinse sub-cycles differ from one another in a manner selected from the group of wash water temperature, wash water volume, wash liquor concentration, timing of application of said laundry treatment products, applied mechanical energy, cycle duration, and combinations thereof.
  • S. The process according to any of Paragraphs K to R, wherein said product identity data is associated with presence of a laundry active ingredient selected from the group of surfactant, softening active, bleach, acid, perfume, a tracer, and combinations thereof.
  • T. The process according to any of Paragraphs K to S, wherein upon detecting that said user set matches said predetermined set, disseminating a user stimulus, U. The process according to any of Paragraphs K to T, wherein use of said specific preprogrammed laundry treatment cycle associated with said predetermined set is counted

Further Definitions and Cross-References

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean “about 40 mm.”

Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or related patent or application and any patent application or patent to which this application claims priority or benefit thereof, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any disclosure disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such disclosure. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern.

While particular aspects of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this disclosure.