# US 2021/0277565 A1 · Method and apparatus for determining especially a cleaning strategy > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2021/0277565 A1 - Document ID: US20210277565A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/318,082 - Filed: 2017-07-11 - Published: 2021-09-09 - Earliest claimed: 2016-07-15 - Assignees: Henkel AG & Co. KGaA - Applicants: Henkel AG & Co. KGaA - Inventors: Arnd Kessler; Christian Nitsch; Lars Zuechner; Georg Wawer; Alexander Mueller - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210277565A1 ## CPC - G01N 21/94: Investigating contamination, e.g. dust (G01N21/85 takes precedence) - D06F 33/36: of washing - D06H 3/08: by photo-electric or television means (D06H3/12, D06H3/14, D06H3/16 take precedence) - G06T 7/0004: {Industrial image inspection} - D06F 33/32: Control of operational steps, e.g. optimisation or improvement of operational steps depending on the condition of the laundry - D06F 33/37: of metering of detergents or additives - D06F 34/05: for wireless communication between components, e.g. for remote monitoring or control - D06F 34/18: Condition of the laundry, e.g. nature or weight - D06F 2103/02: Characteristics of laundry or load - D06F 2103/06: Type or material - D06F 2103/64: Radiation, e.g. microwaves - D06F 2105/10: Temperature of washing liquids; Heating means therefor - D06F 2105/42: Detergent or additive supply - D06F 2105/52: Changing sequence of operational steps; Carrying out additional operational steps; Modifying operational steps, e.g. by extending duration of steps - D06F 2105/58: Indications or alarms to the control system or to the user - G01N 2021/945: {Liquid or solid deposits of macroscopic size on surfaces, e.g. drops, films, or clustered contaminants} - G06T 2207/10048: Infrared image - G06T 2207/30124: Fabrics; Textile; Paper - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) - D06F: LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES - D06H: MARKING, INSPECTING, SEAMING OR SEVERING TEXTILE MATERIALS (seaming by sewing D05B) - G06T: IMAGE DATA PROCESSING OR GENERATION, IN GENERAL ## Abstract A method for determining a cleaning strategy for a soiled textile is provided. The method includes obtaining intensity information representative of a spectral image resulting from soiling of a textile. Further, the method includes determining at least one output variable that is dependent on the composition of the soiling on the basis of the intensity information. Also, the method includes outputting or triggering the output of the at least one output variable. Also provided are corresponding devices for carrying out such a method. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for determining a cleaning strategy for a soiled textile, the method comprising: obtaining intensity information representative of a spectral image resulting from soiling of a textile; determining at least one output variable that is dependent on the composition of the soiling on the basis of the intensity information; and outputting or triggering the output of the at least one output variable. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the intensity information is representative of a spectral image resulting from an illuminated surface of the soiling on a textile. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one output variable comprises at least one parameter of a cleaning strategy of the textile. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method according to claim 3, wherein the at least one parameter of the cleaning strategy constitutes a type of cleaning agent, an amount of cleaning agent, a cleaning temperature, a type of cleaning device, settings of a cleaning device or combinations thereof, and/or wherein the at least one parameter of the cleaning strategy includes a recommendation on pretreatment of the soiling. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The method according to claim 3, the method further comprising: carrying out the cleaning strategy by means of a cleaning device. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the determination of the at least one output variable includes comparing the intensity information with comparative values. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, the method further comprising: determining the intensity information by means of an optical sensor. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, the method further comprising: determining a soiling profile based at least in part on the output variable, in particular based on a plurality of determined output variables, wherein the determination of the at least one output variable is based at least in part on the soiling profile. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the intensity information is representative of a hyperspectral image. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the intensity information comprises values in at least 20 channels, wherein each channel represents an intensity for one energy interval. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the intensity information is representative of spectral components of a spectral image, wherein at least one of the spectral components lies outside the visible energy range. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method according to claim 11, wherein the intensity information is representative of spectral components of a spectral image from the infrared energy range as far as the ultraviolet energy range. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the intensity information is representative of spatially resolved components of a spectral image. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) A device that is designed or comprises corresponding means for carrying out and/or controlling a method according to claim 1. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) A system comprising: a plurality of devices, including at least one mobile device and a cleaning device, which together carry out a method according to claim 1.