Patents by Inventor Lars Zuechner

Lars Zuechner has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11946183
    Abstract: A method performed by one or more devices includes determining an information item indicative of at least one parameter affecting the treatment of a textile with the information item being detected by an information carrier of the textile (220) and/or a cleaning device (230), or a cleaning agent (210) and the textile (220), or the cleaning agent (210) and the cleaning device, or the cleaning agent (210) and the textile (220) and the cleaning device and the information carrier comprises a package, a label, an NFC chip or a combination thereof, determining at least one treatment parameter of the textile based at least in part on the determined information item, and outputting or triggering the outputting of the at least one determined treatment parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: HENKEL AG & CO. KGAA
    Inventors: Arnd Kessler, Christian Nitsch, Lars Zuechner, Georg Wawer, Alexander Mueller, Clemens Arth
  • Patent number: 11857134
    Abstract: A retrofittable sensor unit for controlling a dosing device of a cleaning machine includes an acquisition module having at least one sensor for capturing measurement variables, at least one monitoring unit for determining a current degree of soiling of articles for cleaning on the basis of the captured measurement variables, a communication unit configured to communicate with at least one dosing device, in particular to transmit a dosing command to at least one dosing device depending on the current degree of soiling of the articles for cleaning. The retrofittable sensor unit can be arranged separately from the dosing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: HENKEL AG & CO. KGAA
    Inventors: Arnd Kessler, Christian Nitsch, Lars Zuechner, Georg Wawer, Alexander Mueller, Clemens Arth
  • Patent number: 11812912
    Abstract: A method for the dosing of cleaning agents in cleaning machines, including the steps: receiving control information items, wherein the control information items are dependent on information about a cleaning machine; determining the progress of a cleaning operation; dosing of cleaning agent depending on the received control information items and the determined progress of the cleaning operation; wherein the information about the cleaning machine can be determined via a sensor-based automatic recognition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: HENKEL AG & CO. KGAA
    Inventors: Arnd Kessler, Thomas Weber, Johannes Zipfel, Christian Nitsch, Lars Zuechner, Nadine Franke, Georg Wawer, Alexander Mueller, Clemens Arth
  • Patent number: 11814772
    Abstract: A device for use in a household appliance is disclosed, the device comprising: at least one casing, wherein the casing is configured to be placed in a treatment chamber of a household appliance; wherein the casing comprises at least one output module, which is configured to dispense at least one preparation into the treatment chamber of the household appliance and/or to trigger an output; and at least one sensor module, which is configured to determine sensor data characteristic of the condition of the treatment chamber of the household appliance and/or of the device; wherein the sensor module comprises at least one sensor, wherein the sensor data at least partially represents information determined by employing the at least one sensor; wherein the data determined by sensor is at least partially indicative of a load condition of the treatment chamber of the household appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: HENKEL AG & CO. KGAA
    Inventors: Arnd Kessler, Lars Zuechner, Robert Ruiz Hernandez, Ingo Hardacker
  • Patent number: 11773523
    Abstract: In particular, a method performed by one or more devices is disclosed, the method comprising: obtaining an intensity information item representative of a spectral image resulting from a soiling of a textile and/or from at least one part of a textile; determining at least one output variable dependent on the soiling of the textile and/or at least one property of the textile from the intensity information item, wherein the output variable is determined by employing an adaptive evaluation algorithm, in particular an artificial neural network, wherein parameters of the adaptive evaluation algorithm are calibrated based on a plurality of training cases; outputting or triggering outputting of the at least one output variable. Furthermore, a device and a system for performing the subject method is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: HENKEL AG & CO. KGAA
    Inventors: Arnd Kessler, Lars Zuechner, Peter Schmiedel, Christina Roeleke
  • Patent number: 11746456
    Abstract: A method performed by one or more devices is disclosed. The method includes obtaining a geometry information item representative of a spatial location of a plurality of points of a surface of a textile (52), determining at least one treatment parameter for treating the textile (52) at least partially based on a geometry information item, and outputting or triggering an output of the at least one treatment parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: HENKEL AG & CO. KGAA
    Inventors: Arnd Kessler, Christian Nitsch, Lars Zuechner, Georg Wawer, Alexander Mueller, Clemens Arth
  • Patent number: 11568501
    Abstract: In particular, a method performed by one or more devices is disclosed, the method comprising: obtaining a first intensity information item (210) representative of a spectral image (208) resulting from an soiling (202, 302) of a textile (200, 304); obtaining a second intensity information item (212, 214) representative of a spectral image (216) characteristic of at least one property of at least one part of the textile (200, 304); determining at least one treatment parameter, wherein the determination of the treatment parameter takes place dependent both on the composition of the soiling (202, 302) from the first intensity information item (210) and on the at least one property of at least the part of the textile (200, 304) from the second Intensity information item (212, 214); and outputting or triggering an outputting of the at least one treatment parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: HENKEL AG & CO. KGAA
    Inventors: Arnd Kessler, Lars Zuechner, Peter Schmiedel, Christina Roeleke
  • Patent number: 11547270
    Abstract: Among other things, a method is disclosed which comprises the following: acquiring at least one set of acceleration data indicative of a progression of measured acceleration values; determining at least one set of evaluation data at least partially based on the acquired acceleration data, wherein determining the evaluation data comprises determining whether one or more characteristic actions have been performed by a user, and if so, performing the following: storing an action data representing the one or more actions that is included in the determined evaluation data or is at least a part of the determined evaluation data; and outputting or causing the output of the determined evaluation data. A device for executing and/or controlling this method, a system with one or more devices for executing and/or controlling this method and a computer program for executing and/or controlling this method by a processor are further disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: HENKEL AG & CO. KGAA
    Inventors: Arnd Kessler, Lars Zuechner, Robert Ruiz Hernandez, Thomas Juckel, Wolfgang Wick
  • Patent number: 11540694
    Abstract: A method for setting a time of a release of a cleaning agent during a cleaning cycle in a household appliance includes obtaining an evolution over time of a local parameter inside the appliance, the local parameter comprising an acceleration induced by the cycle or a temperature inside the appliance; obtaining reference patterns of evolutions of the local parameter during a cycle comprising different cleaning steps including a step adapted for releasing the cleaning agent at a predetermined adapted time; comparing the evolution of the local parameter to the reference patterns and identifying a cleaning step within the cycle when a similarity between a reference pattern and the evolution is above a predetermined threshold, and setting the release of the agent at the predetermined adapted time within the identified cleaning step when the identified step corresponds to a step adapted for releasing the agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: HENKEL AG & CO. KGAA
    Inventors: Arnd Kessler, Thomas Juckel, Rayko Enz, Volker Hoppe, Lars Zuechner, Robert Ruiz Hernandez, Wolfgang Wick, Ingo Hardacker
  • Patent number: 11521167
    Abstract: A method is provided for monitoring a supply of a cleaning agent. The method includes performing a check of whether the supply of the cleaning agent is likely to be used up. The check is based, at least in part, on quantity information which is representative of an amount of the cleaning agent in a user's supply and on consumption information which is indicative of the user's expected consumption behavior with respect to the cleaning agent. Further, a device is provided for performing the method for monitoring the supply of the cleaning agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: HENKEL AG & CO. KGAA
    Inventors: Arnd Kessler, Christian Nitsch, Lars Zuechner, Georg Wawer, Alexander Mueller
  • Patent number: 11517177
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method including capturing and/or obtaining a reservoir information item at a dispensing module for a detergent and/or cleaning agent, with the reservoir information item representative of at least one property of a reservoir for the detergent and/or cleaning agent, an application specification for the detergent and/or cleaning agent contained in the reservoir, and/or a property of the detergent and/or cleaning agent contained in the reservoir, and the reservoir is connected or connectable to the dispensing module. The method further includes determining and/or causing the determination of a dispensing control information item depending at least in part on the reservoir information item, with the dispensing control information item configured to at least partly control the dispensing of the detergent and/or cleaning agent by the dispensing module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: HENKEL AG & CO. KGAA
    Inventors: Arnd Kessler, Thomas Weber, Johannes Zipfel, Christian Nitsch, Lars Zuechner, Nadine Franke, Georg Wawer, Alexander Mueller
  • Patent number: 11452791
    Abstract: A method for fragrancing and/or deodorizing a cleaning appliance is disclosed. The method involves capturing first information or obtaining captured first information indicative of an odor load in the interior of the cleaning appliance, producing fragrancing and/or deodorizing information based at least in part on the captured or obtained first information or outputting the captured first information in order to produce fragrancing and/or deodorizing information of this type, and initiating fragrancing and/or deodorization by employing at least one actuator for releasing a fragrancing and/or deodorizing agent based on the fragrancing and/or deodorizing information produced. A corresponding dosing device, a device for carrying out and/or controlling the method, and a system with one or more devices for carrying out and/or controlling the method are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: HENKEL AG & CO. KGAA
    Inventors: Arnd Kessler, Thomas Weber, Johannes Zipfel, Christian Nitsch, Lars Zuechner, Nadine Franke, Georg Wawer, Alexander Mueller, Wolfgang Wick
  • Patent number: 11384467
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and to a textile piece device which allows storing and/or monitoring the load on a textile piece during one or more treatment cycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: HENKEL AG & CO. KGAA
    Inventors: Arnd Kessler, Christian Nitsch, Lars Zuechner, Georg Wawer, Alexander Mueller
  • Patent number: 11379769
    Abstract: A method performed by one or more devices is disclosed. The method includes detecting a first image information item indicative of at least one soiling on a textile, determining a soiling information item indicative of at least one property of the soiling on the textile where the at least one property is determined based at least in part on the detected first image information item and the at least one property of the soiling is determined based at least in part on a property dependent on the outline of the soiling, and outputting or causing the outputting of the determined soiling information item. Furthermore, a device and a system for performing the subject method is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: HENKEL AG & CO. KGAA
    Inventors: Arnd Kessler, Lars Zuechner, Peter Schmiedel, Thomas Rechenbach
  • Patent number: 11352729
    Abstract: The present disclosure concerns a method for operating or controlling an operation of a household appliance (100, 300) performed by at least one device (100, 200, 300, 400). The method includes: obtaining external information representative of at least one external given situation outside the household appliance (100, 300); and operating or controlling an operation of the household appliance (100, 300) at least taking into account the external information obtained. In addition, the present disclosure concerns a device and a system for performing such a method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: HENKEL AG & CO. KGAA
    Inventors: Arnd Kessler, Lars Zuechner, Robert Ruiz Hernandez
  • Patent number: 11230805
    Abstract: The present disclosure concerns a method performed by at least one device, including: acquiring location data indicative of a location of a device which may be placed in a liquid- and/or gas-carrying household appliance; determining treatment chamber data indicative of a conclusion as to whether or not the at least one device is placed in a treatment chamber of the household appliance, the treatment chamber data being determined at least partially based on the acquired location data; and outputting or causing the output of the determined treatment chamber data. Furthermore, the present disclosure concerns a device and a system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: HENKEL AG & CO. KGAA
    Inventors: Arnd Kessler, Lars Zuechner, Robert Ruiz Hernandez
  • Publication number: 20220002932
    Abstract: Among other things, a procedure is revealed which comprises the following: Detecting one or more pieces of air humidity information indicative of a relative humidity within a treatment room of an air-conducting domestic appliance, wherein the one or more pieces of air humidity information are detected by means of at least one air humidity sensor; and determining drying information indicative of a time of an end of a drying process performed by the air-conducting domestic appliance, wherein the drying information is determined based on the one or more pieces of air humidity information. Also disclosed are a device for executing and/or controlling this process, a system with one or more devices for executing and/or controlling this process and a computer program for executing and/or controlling this process by a processor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Applicant: Henkel AG & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: ARND KESSLER, LARS ZUECHNER, ROBERT RUIZ HERNANDEZ, SLAVOLJUB BARACKOV, THOMAS JUCKEL
  • Patent number: 11186935
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates in particular to a device comprising a flushing device (10) and a sensor device (20), wherein the flushing device (10) is designed to receive or contain a cleaning agent, and wherein the flushing device (10) and the sensor device (20) are or can be integrated into a cleaning device (1). According to the present disclosure, the sensor device (20) is designed to determine a quantity information that is representative of the amount of cleaning agent filled into the flushing device (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: HENKEL AG & CO. KGAA
    Inventors: Arnd Kessler, Christian Nitsch, Lars Zuechner, Georg Wawer, Alexander Mueller
  • Publication number: 20210295416
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to, among other things, a method carried out by at least one device, said method including determining (410) information identifying an article (310, 320, 330); and ordering or triggering an order (450) of the article (310, 320, 330) at least partially based on the determined information identifying the article (310, 320, 330).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2017
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Applicant: Henkel AG & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Arnd Kessler, Christian Nitsch, Lars Zuechner, Georg Wawer, Alexander Mueller
  • Patent number: 11125736
    Abstract: The present disclosure especially relates to a method, carried out by one or more devices, said method comprising: non-destructively determining structural information that is characteristic of at least part of the structure of a textile (202); ascertaining at least one treatment parameter of the textile (202) at least partly on the basis of said structural information; and outputting or initiating output of the at least one treatment parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: HENKEL IP & HOLDING GMBH
    Inventors: Arnd Kessler, Christian Nitsch, Lars Zuechner, Georg Wawer, Alexander Mueller