Washing machine appliance stain reminder

Abstract

A method of operating a washing machine appliance may include obtaining one or more images of a clothing article containing a stain. The method may include analyzing the one or more images to estimate a stain attribute of the stain on the clothing article. The stain attribute may correspond to stain treatment setting for the washing machine appliance. The method may include detecting a stain reminder event following analyzing the one or more images to estimate the stain attribute of the stain on the clothing article. The method may include generating a stain reminder notification in response to detecting the stain reminder event. The method may include directing a wash cycle within the washing machine appliance based on the estimated stain attribute.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of operating a washing machine appliance, the method comprising:
 obtaining one or more images of a clothing article containing a stain;   analyzing the one or more images to estimate a stain attribute of the stain on the clothing article, the stain attribute corresponding to stain treatment setting for the washing machine appliance;   detecting a stain reminder event following analyzing the one or more images to estimate the stain attribute of the stain on the clothing article;   generating a stain reminder notification in response to detecting the stain reminder event; and   directing a wash cycle within the washing machine appliance based on the estimated stain attribute.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein obtaining the one or more images of the clothing article comprises
 capturing, by a camera assembly of an external device, the one or more images of the clothing article, and   uploading, by the external device, the one or more images of the clothing article to a network configured to communicate wirelessly with the external device and the washing machine appliance.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving a user stain signal at a user interface associated with the washing machine appliance following obtaining one or more images of the clothing article containing the stain, the user stain signal comprising the stain attribute.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein analyzing the one or more images to estimate a stain attribute of the stain on the clothing article comprises
 analyzing, with an image processing technique, the one or more images to estimate a stain attribute of the stain on the clothing article.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein detecting the stain reminder event comprises,
 detecting establishment of a short-range connection directly between an external device and the washing machine appliance.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein detecting the stain reminder event comprises
 detecting establishment of a household connection between an external device and a local wireless network in wireless communication with the washing machine appliance.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein generating the stain reminder notification comprises
 displaying a stain reminder message on a user interface associated with the washing machine appliance.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the washing machine appliance comprises a control panel, and
 wherein the control panel comprises the user interface.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein an external device comprises a display in operative communication with the washing machine appliance, and
 wherein the external device comprises the user interface.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 detecting the clothing article within a wash basket of the washing machine appliance, and   directing the wash cycle within the washing machine appliance based on the estimated stain attribute in response to detecting the clothing article within the wash basket of the washing machine appliance.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 determining completion of the wash cycle; and   generating a confirmation notification in response to determining completion of the wash cycle,   wherein the confirmation notification comprises a stain check message.   
     
     
         12 . A washing machine appliance comprising:
 a cabinet; and   a controller operable for:
 obtaining one or more images of a clothing article containing a stain; 
 analyzing the one or more images to estimate a stain attribute of the stain on the clothing article, the stain attribute corresponding to stain treatment setting for the washing machine appliance; 
 detecting a stain reminder event following analyzing the one or more images to estimate the stain attribute of the stain on the clothing article; 
 generating a stain reminder notification in response to detecting the stain reminder event; and 
 directing a wash cycle within the washing machine appliance based on the estimated stain attribute. 
   
     
     
         13 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 12 , wherein obtaining the one or more images of the clothing article comprises,
 receiving, from a network in wireless communication with the washing machine appliance, the one or more images of the clothing article.   
     
     
         14 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 12 , wherein the controller is further operable for:
 receiving a user stain signal at a user interface associated with the washing machine appliance following obtaining one or more images of the clothing article containing the stain, the user stain signal comprising the stain attribute.   
     
     
         15 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 12 , wherein analyzing the one or more images to estimate the stain attribute of the stain on the clothing article comprises,
 analyzing, with an image processing technique, the one or more images to estimate the stain attribute of the stain on the clothing article.   
     
     
         16 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 12 , wherein detecting the stain reminder event comprises,
 detecting establishment of a short-range connection directly between an external device and the washing machine appliance.   
     
     
         17 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 12 , wherein detecting the stain reminder event comprises,
 detecting establishment of a household connection between an external device and a local wireless network in wireless communication with the washing machine appliance.   
     
     
         18 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 12 , wherein generating the stain reminder notification comprises,
 displaying a stain reminder message on a user interface associated with the washing machine appliance.   
     
     
         19 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 12 , wherein the controller is further operable for:
 detecting the clothing article within a wash basket of the washing machine appliance, and   directing the wash cycle within the washing machine appliance based on the estimated stain attribute in response to detecting the clothing article within the wash basket of the washing machine appliance.   
     
     
         20 . The washing machine appliance of  claim 12 , wherein the controller is further operable for:
 determining completion of the wash cycle; and   generating a confirmation notification in response to determining completion of the wash cycle,   wherein the confirmation notification comprises a stain check message.