Method of using image recognition processes for improved operation of a laundry appliance
AssigneeHaier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
InventorsKhalid Jamal Mashal, Juan Manuel Huerta
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Abstract
A washing machine appliance includes a wash tub defining a wash chamber, a wash basket rotatably mounted within the wash tub, and a camera mounted within the cabinet in view of the wash chamber. A controller is operably coupled to the camera for obtaining images of the load of clothes in the wash chamber and analyzing the images using a neural network image recognition process (such as a Mask R-CNN process) to determine a load characteristic of the load of clothes. The load characteristic can then be used to adjust at least one operating parameter of the washing machine appliance based on the load characteristic, e.g., for improved or optimized wash performance.
Claims20
A laundry appliance comprising:
- a cabinet;
- a basket rotatably mounted within the cabinet and defining a chamber configured for receiving of a load of clothes;
- a camera mounted within the cabinet in view of the chamber;
- a controller operably coupled to the camera, the controller being configured for:
- obtaining one of more images of the load of clothes in the chamber using the camera;
- analyzing the one or more images using a neural network image recognition process to determine a load characteristic of the load of clothes;
- and
- adjusting at least one operating parameter of the laundry appliance based on the load characteristic.
A method of operating a laundry appliance, the laundry appliance comprising a basket rotatably mounted within a cabinet and defining a chamber configured for receiving of a load of articles, and a camera mounted within the cabinet in view of the chamber, the method comprising:
- obtaining one of more images of the load of clothes in the chamber using the camera;
- analyzing the one or more images using a neural network image recognition process to determine a load characteristic of the load of clothes;
- and
- adjusting at least one operating parameter of the laundry appliance based on the load characteristic.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.