Patent Grant
12188165
The present subject matter relates generally to washing machine appliances, and more particularly to an improved interface for washing machine appliances.
Washing machine appliances generally include a wash tub for containing water or wash fluid (e.g., water, detergent, bleach, or other wash additives). A basket is rotatably mounted within the wash tub and defines a wash chamber for receipt of articles for washing. During normal operation of such washing machine appliances, the wash fluid is directed into the wash tub and onto articles within the wash chamber of the basket. The basket or an agitation element can rotate at various speeds to agitate articles within the wash chamber, to wring wash fluid from articles within the wash chamber, etc.
Washing machine appliances perform optimally when a size of a load of articles in the basket is less than or equal to a maximum size, such as a recommended load size. For example, the recommended load size is typically less than the entire volume of the wash basket, e.g., in order to promote tumbling and/or agitation of articles within the wash basket or to promote wash fluid flowing freely between the articles such that the wash fluid fully contacts and/or saturates each article in the load of articles.
Conventional user interfaces for washing machine appliances receive inputs from a user regarding characteristics of the load of articles to be washed, e.g., load size. Such interfaces, however, rely on the user to provide accurate information regarding the load of articles, such as the size of the load. Moreover, such interfaces are not intuitive, e.g., a user may be required to subjectively determine what constitutes a “large” load size or a “medium” load size, where such load sizes may be abstract concepts to the user. When the user provides inaccurate information, such as an incorrect load size or when the user overloads the washing machine appliance, the performance of the washing machine appliance may be impaired and/or the results of washing operations may be less than optimal.
As a result, it is desired in the art to provide improved interfaces for washing machine appliances, such as a user interface which is interactive and updatable, such as a user interface configured to provide information regarding a load of articles in the washing machine appliance, such as information regarding recommended load size.
Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.
In one exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, a method of operating a washing machine appliance is provided. The method includes obtaining, by a remote user interface device, an image of a wash basket of the washing machine appliance and a load of articles therein. The method also includes determining, based on the image, a load size of the load of articles in the wash basket. The method further includes comparing the determined load size to a maximum load size threshold. The method also includes providing a user notification on the remote user interface device in response to the determined load size being greater than the maximum load size threshold.
In another exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, a method of operating a washing machine appliance is provided. The method includes obtaining, by a remote user interface device, an image of a wash basket of the washing machine appliance and a load of articles therein. The method also includes determining, based on the image, a load size of the load of articles in the wash basket. The method further includes comparing the determined load size to a maximum load size threshold. The method also includes unlocking the washing machine appliance in response to the determined load size being less than the maximum load size threshold and activating the washing machine appliance after unlocking the washing machine appliance.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures.
Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features or elements of the present invention.
Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
In order to aid understanding of this disclosure, several terms are defined below. The defined terms are understood to have meanings commonly recognized by persons of ordinary skill in the arts relevant to the present invention. The terms “includes” and “including” are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising.” Similarly, the term “or” is generally intended to be inclusive (i.e., “A or B” is intended to mean “A or B or both”). The terms “first,” “second,” and “third” may be used interchangeably to distinguish one element from another and are not intended to signify location or importance of the individual elements. Terms such as “inner” and “outer” refer to relative directions with respect to the interior and exterior of the washing machine appliance, and in particular the wash basket therein. For example, “inner” or “inward” refers to the direction towards the interior of the washing machine appliance. Terms such as “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” “top,” or “bottom” are used with reference to the perspective of a user accessing the washing machine appliance. For example, a user stands in front of the washing machine appliance to open the door and reaches into the wash basket to access items therein. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that as used herein, terms of approximation, such as “approximately,” “generally,” “substantially,” or “about,” refer to being within ten percent greater or less than the stated value. When used in the context of an angle or direction, such terms include within ten degrees greater or less than the stated angle or direction. For example, “generally vertical” includes directions within ten degrees of vertical in any direction, e.g., clockwise or counter-clockwise.
Referring now to the figures,
Referring to
Wash basket 122 may define one or more agitator features that extend into wash chamber 124 to assist in agitation and cleaning articles disposed within wash chamber 124 during operation of washing machine appliance 100. For example, as illustrated in
Washing machine appliance 100 includes a drive assembly 128 which is coupled to wash tub 120 and is generally configured for rotating wash basket 122 during operation, e.g., such as during an agitation or spin cycle. More specifically, as best illustrated in
Referring generally to
In some embodiments, a window 146 in door 144 permits viewing of wash basket 122 when door 144 is in the closed position (e.g., during operation of washing machine appliance 100). Door 144 also includes a handle (not shown) that, for example, a user may pull when opening and closing door 144. Further, although door 144 is illustrated as mounted to front panel 140, it should be appreciated that door 144 may be mounted to another side of cabinet 102 or any other suitable support according to alternative embodiments.
Referring again to
Referring still to
As illustrated, a detergent drawer 172 may be slidably mounted within front panel 140. Detergent drawer 172 receives a wash additive (e.g., detergent, fabric softener, bleach, or any other suitable liquid or powder) and directs the fluid additive to wash chamber 124 during operation of washing machine appliance 100. According to the illustrated embodiment, detergent drawer 172 may also be fluidly coupled to spout 170 to facilitate the complete and accurate dispensing of wash additive.
In some embodiments, an optional bulk reservoir 174 may be disposed within cabinet 102. Bulk reservoir 174 may be configured for receipt of fluid additive for use during operation of washing machine appliance 100. Moreover, bulk reservoir 174 may be sized such that a volume of fluid additive sufficient for a plurality or multitude of wash cycles of washing machine appliance 100 (e.g., five, ten, twenty, fifty, or any other suitable number of wash cycles) may fill bulk reservoir 174. Thus, for example, a user can fill bulk reservoir 174 with fluid additive and operate washing machine appliance 100 for a plurality of wash cycles without refilling bulk reservoir 174 with fluid additive. A reservoir pump 176 may be configured for selective delivery of the fluid additive from bulk reservoir 174 to wash tub 120.
A control panel 180 including a plurality of input selectors 182 may be coupled to front panel 140. Control panel 180 and input selectors 182 collectively form a user interface input for operator selection of machine cycles and features. A display 184 of control panel 180 indicates selected features, operation mode, a countdown timer, and/or other items of interest to appliance users regarding operation.
Operation of washing machine appliance 100 is controlled by a processing device or a controller 186 that is operatively coupled to control panel 180 for user manipulation to select washing machine cycles and features. In response to user manipulation of control panel 180, controller 186 operates the various components of washing machine appliance 100 to execute selected machine cycles and features. Controller 186 may include a memory and microprocessor, such as a general or special purpose microprocessor operable to execute programming instructions or micro-control code associated with methods described herein. The memory may represent random access memory such as DRAM, or read only memory such as ROM or FLASH. In one embodiment, the processor executes programming instructions stored in memory. The memory may be a separate component from the processor or may be included onboard within the processor. Alternatively, controller 186 may be constructed without using a microprocessor, e.g., using a combination of discrete analog and/or digital logic circuitry (such as switches, amplifiers, integrators, comparators, flip-flops, AND gates, and the like) to perform control functionality instead of relying upon software. Control panel 180 may be in communication with controller 186 via one or more signal lines or shared communication busses to provide signals to and/or receive signals from the controller 186.
In addition, the memory or memory devices of the controller 186 can store information and/or data accessible by the one or more processors, including instructions that can be executed by the one or more processors. It should be appreciated that the instructions can be software written in any suitable programming language or can be implemented in hardware. Additionally, or alternatively, the instructions can be executed logically and/or virtually using separate threads on one or more processors.
For example, controller 186 may be operable to execute programming instructions or micro-control code associated with an operating cycle of washing machine appliance 100. In this regard, the instructions may be software or any set of instructions that when executed by the processing device, cause the processing device to perform operations, such as running one or more software applications, displaying a user interface, receiving user input, processing user input, etc. Moreover, it should be noted that controller 186 as disclosed herein is capable of and may be operable to perform any methods, method steps, or portions of methods as disclosed herein. For example, in some embodiments, methods disclosed herein may be embodied in programming instructions stored in the memory and executed by controller 186.
The memory devices may also store data that can be retrieved, manipulated, created, or stored by the one or more processors or portions of controller 186. The data can include, for instance, data to facilitate performance of methods described herein. The data can be stored locally (e.g., on controller 186) in one or more databases and/or may be split up so that the data is stored in multiple locations. In addition, or alternatively, the one or more database(s) can be connected to controller 186 through any suitable network(s), such as through a high bandwidth local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN). In this regard, for example, controller 186 may further include a communication module or interface that may be used to communicate with one or more other component(s) of washing machine appliance 100, controller 186, an external appliance controller, or any other suitable device, e.g., via any suitable communication lines or network(s) and using any suitable communication protocol. The communication interface can include any suitable components for interfacing with one or more network(s), including for example, transmitters, receivers, ports, controllers, antennas, or other suitable components.
In exemplary embodiments, during operation of washing machine appliance 100, laundry items are loaded into wash basket 122 through opening 142, and a wash operation is initiated through operator manipulation of input selectors 182. For example, a wash cycle may be initiated such that wash tub 120 is filled with water, detergent, or other fluid additives (e.g., via detergent drawer 172 or bulk reservoir 174). One or more valves (not shown) can be controlled by washing machine appliance 100 to provide for filling wash basket 122 to the appropriate level for the amount of articles being washed or rinsed. By way of example, once wash basket 122 is properly filled with fluid, the contents of wash basket 122 can be agitated (e.g., with ribs 126) for an agitation phase of laundry items in wash basket 122. During the agitation phase, the basket 122 may be motivated about the axis of rotation AR at a set speed (e.g., first speed or tumble speed). As the basket 122 is rotated, articles within the basket 122 may be lifted and permitted to drop therein.
After the agitation phase of the washing operation is completed, wash tub 120 can be drained, e.g., by drain pump assembly 156. Laundry articles can then be rinsed (e.g., through a rinse cycle) by again adding fluid to wash tub 120, depending on the particulars of the cleaning cycle selected by a user. Ribs 126 may again provide agitation within wash basket 122. One or more spin cycles may also be used. In particular, a spin cycle may be applied after the wash cycle or after the rinse cycle in order to wring wash fluid from the articles being washed. During a spin cycle, basket 122 is rotated at relatively high speeds. For instance, basket 122 may be rotated at one set speed (e.g., second speed or pre-plaster speed) before being rotated at another set speed (e.g., third speed or plaster speed). As would be understood, the pre-plaster speed may be greater than the tumble speed and the plaster speed may be greater than the pre-plaster speed. Moreover, agitation or tumbling of articles may be reduced as basket 122 increases its rotational velocity such that the plaster speed maintains the articles at a generally fixed position relative to basket 122. After articles disposed in wash basket 122 are cleaned (or the washing operation otherwise ends), a user can remove the articles from wash basket 122 (e.g., by opening door 144 and reaching into wash basket 122 through opening 142).
During such operations, the gasket 200 may help to contain wash fluid within the cabinet 102, particularly within the tub 120. As generally shown in
It should be appreciated that the present subject matter is not limited to any particular style, model, or configuration of washing machine appliance. The exemplary embodiment depicted in
Turning now to
The washing machine appliance 10 may be in communication with the remote user interface device 1000 device through various possible communication connections and interfaces. The washing machine appliance 10 and the remote user interface device 1000 may be matched in wireless communication, e.g., connected to the same wireless network. The washing machine appliance 10 may communicate with the remote user interface device 1000 via short-range radio such as BLUETOOTH® or any other suitable wireless network having a layer protocol architecture. As used herein, “short-range” may include ranges less than about ten meters and up to about one hundred meters. For example, the wireless network may be adapted for short-wavelength ultra-high frequency (UHF) communications in a band between 2.4 GHz and 2.485 GHz (e.g., according to the IEEE 802.15.1 standard). In particular, BLUETOOTH® Low Energy, e.g., BLUETOOTH® Version 4.0 or higher, may advantageously provide short-range wireless communication between the washing machine appliance 10 and the remote user interface device 1000. For example, BLUETOOTH® Low Energy may advantageously minimize the power consumed by the exemplary methods and devices described herein due to the low power networking protocol of BLUETOOTH® Low Energy.
The remote user interface device 1000 is “remote” at least in that it is spaced apart from and not structurally connected to the washing machine appliance 10, e.g., the remote user interface device 1000 is a separate, stand-alone device from the washing machine appliance 10 which communicates with the washing machine appliance 10 wirelessly. Any suitable device separate from the washing machine appliance 10 that is configured to provide and/or receive communications, information, data, or commands from a user may serve as the remote user interface device 1000, such as a smartphone (e.g., as illustrated in
The remote user interface device 1000 may include a memory for storing and retrieving programming instructions. Thus, the remote user interface device 1000 may provide a remote user interface which may be an additional user interface to the user interface panel 180. For example, the remote user interface device 1000 may be a smartphone operable to store and run applications, also known as “apps,” and the additional user interface may be provided as a smartphone app.
As mentioned above, the washing machine appliance 10 may also be configured to communicate wirelessly with a network 1100. The network 1100 may be, e.g., a cloud-based data storage system including one or more remote computing devices such as remote databases and/or remote servers, which may be collectively referred to as “the cloud.” The network 1100 may include, e.g., one or more remote computing devices, such as a remote database, remote server, etc., in a distributed computing environment. Such distributed computing environments may include, for example, cloud computing, fog computing, and/or edge computing. For example, the washing machine appliance 10 may communicate with the network 1100 over the Internet, which the washing machine appliance 10 may access via WI-FI®, such as from a WI-FI® access point in a user's home, or in a laundromat or dormitory, etc.
The remote user interface device 1000 may be configured to capture and/lor display images. For example, the remote user interface device 1000 may be a smartphone, e.g., as illustrated in
Various examples of images which may be captured or obtained by the remote user interface device 1000 are illustrated in
The image or images obtained by or with the remote user interface device, e.g., using the camera thereof, such as the example images illustrated in
As used herein, the term “image processing algorithm” and the like is generally intended to refer to any suitable methods or algorithms for analyzing images of wash chamber 124 and/or a load of articles therein that do not rely on artificial intelligence or machine learning techniques (e.g., in contrast to the machine learning image recognition process as described below). For example, the image processing algorithm may rely on image differentiation, e.g., such as a pixel-by-pixel comparison of two sequential images. Image differentiation may be used to, for example, determine if a position, location, or geometric property, e.g., shape, area, or dimension, etc., of a component changes, such as crosses a threshold, e.g., a minimum or maximum, such as a minimum or maximum load size of a load of articles in the wash chamber 124.
Additional embodiments may also include using a machine learning image recognition process instead of or in addition to an image processing algorithm. In this regard, the images obtained by the camera may be analyzed by controller 186. In addition, it should be appreciated that this image analysis or processing may be performed locally (e.g., by controller 186) or remotely, such as by using distributed computing, a digital cloud, or a remote server, such as in a cloud computing system or other distributed computing environment, e.g., edge computing or fog computing. According to exemplary embodiments of the present subject matter, the images obtained with the camera may be analyzed using a neural network classification module and/or a machine learning image recognition process. In this regard, for example, controller 186 may be programmed to implement the machine learning image recognition process that includes a neural network trained with a plurality of images of the wash chamber 124 and/or controller 186 may communication with a remote server (such as in the cloud, etc., as mentioned) where the remote server implements all or a portion of the machine learning image recognition process.
As used herein, the terms image recognition process and similar terms may be used generally to refer to any suitable method of observation, analysis, image decomposition, feature extraction, image classification, etc. of one or more images or videos taken of a wash chamber of a washing machine appliance, such as images or videos of areas, volumes, and/or regions within and/or around the wash chamber. In this regard, the image recognition process may use any suitable artificial intelligence (AI) technique, for example, any suitable machine learning technique, or for example, any suitable deep learning technique. It should be appreciated that any suitable image recognition software or process may be used to analyze images taken by the camera, and that controller 186 may be programmed to perform such processes and take corrective action or other responsive actions.
According to an exemplary embodiment, controller may implement a form of image recognition called region-based convolutional neural network (“R-CNN”) image recognition. Generally speaking, R-CNN may include taking an input image and extracting region proposals that include a potential object, such as a particular garment, a region of a load of clothes, or the size or position of the agitation element. In this regard, a “region proposal” may be regions in an image that could belong to a particular object, such as a load of articles in the wash basket. A convolutional neural network is then used to compute features from the region proposals and the extracted features will then be used to determine a classification for each particular region.
According to still other embodiments, an image segmentation process may be used along with the R-CNN image recognition. In general, image segmentation creates a pixel-based mask for each object in an image and provides a more detailed or granular understanding of the various objects within a given image. In this regard, instead of processing an entire image—i.e., a large collection of pixels, many of which might not contain useful information-image segmentation may involve dividing an image into segments (e.g., into groups of pixels containing similar attributes) that may be analyzed independently or in parallel to obtain a more detailed representation of the object or objects in an image. This may be referred to herein as “mask R-CNN” and the like.
According to still other embodiments, the image recognition process may use any other suitable neural network process. For example, the image recognition process may include using Mask R-CNN instead of a regular R-CNN architecture. In this regard, Mask R-CNN is based on Fast R-CNN which is slightly different than R-CNN. In addition, a K-means algorithm may be used. Other image recognition processes are possible and within the scope of the present subject matter.
It should be appreciated that any other suitable image recognition process may be used while remaining within the scope of the present subject matter. For example, the image or images from the camera (e.g., the camera of a remote user interface device, as noted above) may be analyzed using a deep belief network (“DBN”) image recognition process. A DBN image recognition process may generally include stacking many individual unsupervised networks that use each network's hidden layer as the input for the next layer. According to still other embodiments, the image or images may be analyzed by the implementation of a deep neural network (“DNN”) image recognition process, which generally includes the use of a neural network (computing systems inspired by biological neural networks) with multiple layers between input and output. Other suitable image recognition processes, neural network processes, artificial intelligence (“AI”) analysis techniques, and combinations of the above described or other known methods may be used while remaining within the scope of the present subject matter.
An overlay may be developed from such image analysis or processing, whereby the overlay may correspond to positions or alignments of components of the washing machine appliance, contents within the wash chamber, or other objects in and/or around the washing machine appliance. For example, the image analysis or processing may include recognizing, determining, and/or estimating the volume of the wash chamber from the image. As another example, the image analysis or processing may also or instead include recognizing, determining, and/or estimating the size and/or position of a load of articles in the wash chamber. In additional exemplary embodiments, one or more other components or aspects of the washing machine appliance may be recognized or otherwise analyzed from the obtained image as well as or instead of the wash chamber volume and/or load of articles.
Turning now to
The image provided on the display 1002 of the remote user interface 1000 may be a composite or synthesized image, e.g., the image may include additional elements as well as the image obtained by the camera, such as a graphical overlay, a text overlay, or a combined overlay including both graphical elements and text elements. For example, such elements may include text elements 1010, where the text elements 1010 on the display 1002 may include explanatory text or instructions, e.g., pertaining to one or more operating parameters of the washing machine appliance, such as load size. Also by way of example, the overlay may user interface elements, e.g., interactive elements, such as a control or input 1012.
An image such as one of the images illustrated in
The load of articles 1004 illustrated in
The load of articles 1004 illustrated in
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
In some embodiments, method 800 may further include a step 830 of comparing the determined load size to a maximum load size threshold. For example, comparing the determined load size to the maximum load size threshold may include determining whether the determined load size is greater than the maximum load size threshold or is less than or equal to the maximum load size threshold. In some embodiments, the maximum load size may be or correspond to a Recommended Load Size, e.g., that is communicated to a user, such as displayed on a remote user interface device, such as in a text element, e.g., text element 1010, in an overlay on an image of the washing machine appliance, e.g., as described above.
Method 800 may also include a step 840 of locking the washing machine appliance in response to the determined load size being greater than the maximum load size threshold. For example, locking the washing machine appliance may include locking a user interface of the washing machine appliance, such as remote and/or local controls of the washing machine appliance. For example, the user interface may be locked, e.g., disabled, in that user input devices may be deactivated or otherwise placed in a non-responsive state to prevent activation of the washing machine appliance. When the washing machine is locked, such as the user interface of the washing machine appliance is locked, user inputs, e.g., on the control panel 180 of the washing machine appliance 100 and/or on the display 1002 of the remote user interface device 1000 (e.g., where display 1002 comprises a touchscreen) are disabled whereby the washing machine appliance, such as mechanical components thereof (e.g., one or more pumps, and/or motors, etc.) will not be activated in response to inputs or manipulation (e.g., button pressing or tapping on the touchscreen) of the user input devices or user interface.
Method 800 may further include a step 850 of providing a user notification on the remote user interface device in response to the determined load size being greater than the maximum load size threshold. The user notification may include, for example, an indication that the load size is larger than recommended. In some embodiments, e.g., where the washing machine appliance is a commercial washing machine appliances, e.g., in a laundromat, dormitory, or apartment complex, the user notification may also or instead include a prompt to reserve an additional washing machine appliance in order to divide the load of articles into multiple smaller loads, such as the user notification may include a prompt to reserve an additional washing machine appliance in response to the determined load size being greater than the maximum load size threshold.
Additional exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure also include methods of operating a washing machine appliance such as method 900 illustrated in
Method 900 may further include a step 920 of determining, based on the image, a load size of the load of articles in the wash basket, e.g., using image analysis and/or image processing, such as any of the exemplary models, algorithms, etc., as described above.
In some embodiments, method 900 may further include a step 930 of comparing the determined load size to a maximum load size threshold. For example, comparing the determined load size to the maximum load size threshold may include determining whether the determined load size is greater than the maximum load size threshold or is less than or equal to the maximum load size threshold, etc., as described above.
Method 900 may also include a step 940 of unlocking the washing machine appliance in response to the determined load size being less than the maximum load size threshold, such as less than or equal to the maximum load size threshold. In some embodiments, unlocking the washing machine appliance may include unlocking one or more user interfaces of the washing machine appliance, such as a remote user interface, e.g., a smartphone app, and/or a local user interface such as control panel 180. For example, unlocking the user interface may include permitting the washing machine appliance, e.g., the controller 186 thereof, to activate one or more mechanical components of the washing machine appliance in response to a user input received at the user interface, e.g., at control panel 180.
Method 900 may further include a step 950 of activating the washing machine appliance after unlocking the washing machine appliance. For example, when the user interface of the washing machine appliance is unlocked, the washing machine appliance, e.g., one or more mechanical components thereof, may be activated, such as turning on or activating a motor or pump. For example, activating the washing machine appliance may include performing a cycle of the washing machine appliance, such as the exemplary operation described above, e.g., loading laundry items into wash basket 122 through opening 142, etc.
In some embodiments, exemplary methods of operating a washing machine appliance according to the present disclosure, such as method 800 or method 900, may include determining an identity of the washing machine appliance. In such embodiments, the maximum load size threshold may be based on the identity of the washing machine appliance. For example, the identity of the washing machine appliance may be determined by the remote user interface device based on an image of an identifying indicium of the washing machine appliance. For example, identifying indicium of the washing machine appliance may be encoded in a bar code, such as a QR code. As a further example, the identifying indicium may include a serial number of the washing machine appliance, e.g., which may be recognized in a captured image of the washing machine appliance by the remote user interface device. Thus, determining the identity of the washing machine appliance may include scanning a code on the washing machine appliance or taking a picture of the washing machine appliance, such as a picture of a nameplate on the washing machine appliance.
Determining the load size of the load of articles in the wash basket based on the image in exemplary methods of operating a washing machine appliance according to the present disclosure, such as method 800 or method 900, may include determining a portion of the wash basket that is occupied by the load of articles. For example, determining the portion of the wash basket that is occupied by the load of articles may include applying a mask to a region occupied by the load of articles in the image of the wash basket of the washing machine appliance and the load of articles therein obtained by the remote user interface device and comparing the mask to an area of the wash basket. As one example of such image analysis, the region occupied by the load of articles in the image of the wash basket may be determined using a mask R-CNN model.
The several embodiments of the present disclosure provide numerous advantages. For example, but without limitation, the exemplary methods of operating a washing machine appliance may promote a more efficient and effective operation of the washing machine appliance, such as by ensuring a proper load size, e.g., the maximum amount of articles that can be effectively treated in each load. As another example, the exemplary methods may provide an improved user interface for operating a washing machine appliance, such as a more informative user interface which provides additional information about the washing machine appliance, operating cycles thereof, and/or a load of articles therein. Such improved user interfaces may also include interactive features, may be provided on a remote user interface device such as a smartphone or tablet computer, and may further include features for operating the washing machine appliance, such as controlling or initiating an operating cycle from the user interface, as well as features for identifying, selecting, and/or reserving an additional washing machine appliance in response to information, e.g., load size, about the load of articles in the washing machine appliance. Accordingly, a method of operating a washing machine appliance using a user interface, e.g., on a remote user interface device, according to the present disclosure, such as determining a load size using image analysis as described above, provides an improved user interface.
This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.
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