CH700524B1 - Household unit with touchless gesture operation. - Google Patents

Abstract

The household appliance is equipped with a non-contact input unit (4), which allows the user to control the appliance by means of gestures without having to be touched. Fingerprints are avoided. The input unit (4) is able to track motion trajectories, which can then be evaluated by a control unit.

Description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a household appliance with a controller for controlling a function of the household appliance and with a non-contact input unit.

background

It is known to equip household appliances with a proximity switch, which triggers a signal upon approach of the user's hand, which is further processed by the control of the device.

Presentation of the invention

The object of the present invention is to improve the functionality of such devices. This object is achieved by the household appliance according to claim 1.

Accordingly, therefore, a non-contact input unit is provided, i. E. an input unit which generates a signal as soon as the user's fingers or hand approach, without the user having to touch the input unit. The input unit is configured to distinguish between different trajectories of the user's hand and to generate different signals dependent on the trajectories. The controller of the device is then configured to trigger different control functions depending on the different signals.

In other words, the input unit is thus not only able to detect an approximation, but also trajectories, i. E. Movement patterns. This allows the user to control the device with motion gestures to trigger different functions of the controller.

The invention is particularly suitable for a household appliance, which is designed as a washing machine, dryer, oven, dishwasher or stove.

Brief description of the drawings

Further embodiments, advantages and applications of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims and from the following description with reference to the figures. Showing: <Tb> FIG. 1 <sep> a front view of an oven, <Tb> FIG. 2 <sep> the input unit and display of the device of FIG. 1 in detail and <Tb> FIG. 3 <sep> the input unit and display of the device of FIG. 1 in the left-handed state.

Ways to carry out the invention

Construction:

The invention described here is suitable for a variety of household appliances, especially for a kitchen appliance, such as an oven, a stove or a dishwasher, or for washing machines or dryers. Particularly preferably, the invention is used in a stove or oven, since there non-contact input elements to avoid fingerprints have particularly great advantages.

In the following, some examples of the invention will be explained with reference to a baking oven, but the same concepts can be used analogously in other household appliances.

Fig. 1 shows the front view of an embodiment of a baking oven with a user door 1 and a control panel 2. On the control panel 2, a display 3 and an input unit 4 are arranged and (optionally) at least one touch-actuated button 5. The device further equipped with a controller, which eg a microprocessor system, which is designed by means of suitable program codes for controlling the device. Furthermore, the device comprises in a known manner a baking chamber with heating means.

An example of the display 3 and input unit 4 is shown in Fig. 2. In the display 3 is preferably a pixel-based display, which on its entire area, whose outer boundary is symbolized in Fig. 2 of the line 6, the representation of arbitrary graphical information permits.

The input unit 4 is a non-contact input unit, i. she is able to detect an approach of the user's hand or individual fingers without the user having to touch them. It is preferably a capacitive input unit which comprises an array of a plurality of transparent measuring electrodes. An example of such an input unit is disclosed in US 6,452,514.

The input unit 4 has in the present embodiment, the same size as the display 3 and overlaps with this completely. Input unit 4 and display 3 can also be integrated into a common component. However, in another embodiment, the input unit 4 may only partly overlap the display 3 or be arranged next to the display 3. Preferably, however, the input unit 4 overlaps the entire display 3.

The input unit 4 is capable of distinguishing between different trajectories of at least one user's hand and generating different signals dependent on the trajectories. For example, it may generate a series of location values describing the position of a finger in front of the input unit 4 as a function of time. Depending on these signals, the controller can then trigger different control functions. Examples of this are described below.

In a preferred variant, the input unit 4 can distinguish between at least two different trajectories parallel to their surface. For this purpose, as mentioned, it can be designed as a two-dimensional array of capacitive sensors so that it can determine the X and Y coordinates of the approximated finger (where X describes, for example, the horizontal coordinate and Y the vertical coordinate, see FIG. 2). , Depending on these trajectories, different control functions can then be triggered in the controller. For example, a first function can be triggered when the finger is moved in the Y direction via the input unit 4, and a second function when it is moved in the X direction via the input unit 4. Again, examples are described below.

The input unit is also preferably able to determine the distance of the user's hand or the finger from the input unit, i. the distance in the direction Z perpendicular to the surface. However, in contrast to normal non-contact sensors, the distance should not only be measured in two stages ("detectable" or "undetectable"), but at least in three stages ("near", "medium", "undetectable"), preferably in a finer gradation, so that the third dimension can be used for a differentiated input. When using a capacitive sensor this information can be e.g. be determined from the size of the capacity. In this case, the controller may be configured to trigger different control functions depending on the distance to the surface.

In order to give the user feedback on how his gestures are interpreted, the household appliance preferably has at least one light source, which lights up when approaching by the user's hand to the input unit. Preferably, this light source can be formed by a region of the display 3. Thus, e.g. a button on the display 3 to light up when the input unit 4 detects an approach of the user's hand to this button.

Function:

In the following some examples of the function of the device will be described.

Input state

The controller preferably has an "input state" in which the user can control the device by approaching the hand to the input unit.

The "input state" may include various possible substates, such as: - A value input state in which a control value, in particular a temperature, a time or a time, depending on a position of the user's hand is adjustable. In the value input state, the user can set this value by gestures. - A function input state in which various functions of the device can be selected and started. Functions of this kind can e.g. different preprogrammed control programs (e.g., washing programs in a washing machine, baking programs in an oven).

In a preferred embodiment, the user can bring the device by pressing the button 5 in the input state: - For example, upon actuation of the button 5, the device enters the input state, e.g. during a certain time, then automatically leave the input state again. In this case, the user first briefly depresses the button 5 to then use gestures, e.g. to enter a temperature value. The device may also be designed such that the input state lasts as long as the user holds down the button 5. In this case, the user presses e.g. with one hand the button 5, while he inputs with the other hand by means of gestures the value.

Alternatively, the function of the button 5 can be omitted and the device can e.g. are first brought into the input state with certain gestures, in order then to set or select a value and / or a function in the input state.

layout

Fig. 2 shows a possible layout of the display 3 and input unit 4. In the example shown, two areas are provided: In a first area 10, the display shows at least one input button 12a-f, preferably (as shown in FIG. 2) several such input buttons are displayed. An input button is a graphically displayed area that can be selected by the user moving a finger toward that area, thereby controlling the unit's control unit. - Textual or pictorial information is displayed in a second area 11, the content of which can preferably be changed by selecting different input buttons 12a-f.

value inputs

As mentioned, via the input unit 4, e.g. a control value can be entered. In particular, the present invention is also suitable for inputting a control value with more than two possible values, e.g. for inputting a temperature (e.g., a washing or baking temperature), a time (e.g., the start time of a baking program), or a duration (e.g., in a timer function for the period of time at which an audible alarm is generated).

For inputting such a value, the control may be brought, for example, in the above-mentioned value input state in which the control value can be set depending on the position of the user's hand, see e.g. the following example «Temperature input».

temperature input

As a concrete example, it will be described below how a temperature can be set on an oven, if it is equipped with a display 3 and input unit 4 of the type shown in Fig. 2. However, the techniques discussed in this context may also be used to input other values, particularly time or duration.

First, it may optionally be provided that the user brings the device by pressing the button 5 in the input state. Then, by approaching a finger on one of the buttons, in the present example namely button 12a, he can tell the controller that he wants to set the oven temperature. This causes the controller to display in the second area 11 the currently set temperature, e.g. 180 ° C. The user can now change this value by gestures.

In the example shown, the user gestures the possible gestures by three arrows 13 displayed. Accordingly, the user can hold the hand or a finger in front of the area 11 and move the hand horizontally (i.e., in the direction X) to the right or left to reduce or increase the value. Once set at the desired temperature, it can move the hand up (i.e., in the direction of Y), e.g. at least a few centimeters to freeze the now set value.

In other words, in the value input state of the device, the desired control value can thus be adjusted by means of a first movement along a first trajectory (eg a trajectory along direction X) and with a second movement along a second trajectory (eg a trajectory along direction Y) so that it can be taken over by the controller. The two trajectories are substantially perpendicular to each other, so that they are clearly distinguishable.

In principle, the value thus set or frozen can now be taken over directly by the controller and used to control the device. In order to increase the input security, however, after the movement of the hand along Y upwards, it may also be required that the input be acknowledged. For this, e.g. after setting or freezing the value to, for example, 210 ° C on the second area 11, the text "New Temperature: 210 ° C?" is displayed. In response, the user has to confirm the new value by a third movement, so that the controller operates the device with the new control value. For example, for this purpose in area 11, two buttons "OK" and "Cancel" can be displayed, from which the user must press one by approach. Alternatively, it may also be required that the user confirm the input by a third movement which is, for example, opposite to the second movement, in the present example moving the hand over the area 11 from top to bottom (i.e., opposite to the direction Y).

In this example, movements in direction X were used to change the value and movements in direction Y to set and confirm the value. Of course, this can also be the other way around. It is further conceivable, e.g. also to use the direction Z (i.e., movements perpendicular to the surface of the input element 4) for setting and confirming the value, or also for inputting the value, i. at least one of the trajectories may be perpendicular to the surface of the input unit.

Right and left-handed operation

Preferably, the device of use by right and left-handers can be adjusted. This is particularly advantageous when the two areas 10 and 11 are horizontal next to each other. In this case, a right-handed person generally wants the buttons 12a-f to be on the right, as shown in FIG. 2, while a left-handed person prefers them on the left, as shown in FIG.

Here, the controller may be e.g. be switched by the user between a left-handed state and a right-handed state. In the left-handed state, it represents the first region 10 to the left of the second region (FIG. 3), while in the right-handed state it represents the first region 10 to the right of the second region 11 (FIG. 2).

navigation

In the second area 11 of the display 3, as mentioned, image or text information of the most varied kind can be displayed, e.g. User menus, recipes, etc. In a preferred embodiment, the user can move the image information or text information thus displayed by movement trajectories parallel to the surface of the input unit 4. This is illustrated below with reference to a hierarchical recipe book according to FIG. 3.

By selecting a particular button 12c in this embodiment, the user may e.g. open a recipe book, whereupon in the second area 11 a recipe group is represented symbolically and / or textually, for example, "fish recipes". By horizontal movement of the hand over the area 11, the user can select the next or previous recipe group, e.g. Select "vegetables" or "meat recipes", whereby the image or text information in area 11 is moved horizontally and replaced by that of the new recipe group. If the user wishes to review the recipes within a recipe group, he can move his hand vertically over area 11, whereby the image and text information of the group e.g. moved upward and replaced by a first recipe (for example, "salmon fillet") from below. With another same movement, the user then gets to the next recipe (e.g., "Trout Meuniere"), etc.

Two-handed operation

In another preferred embodiment, the input unit 4 is configured to simultaneously determine positions of the left and right user's hands and to generate therefrom a "left hand signal" for the left hand and a "right hand signal" for the right hand. For example, when the input unit 4 detects two approaches in different areas, it interprets the left thereof as the position of the left user's hand and the right as the position of the right user's hand.

The control can now be designed so that different functions can be triggered with the left and the right signal.

For example, by approaching the left hand on one of the panels 12a-f shown in FIG. 3das device be brought into the above-described input state. As long as the left hand remains in the appropriate position, a value can then be changed and set with the right hand in area 11.

Remarks:

Instead of a capacitive input unit, e.g. Also, an optical input unit may be provided which detects the position of the user's hand or fingers with optical means, such as a finger. with a camera, certainly.

In order to give the user feedback, the device can also be provided with an acoustic output unit which emits sounds or voice signals. Namely, a voice output may be provided which may be useful to the user e.g. Operating instructions (example: «Move your hand horizontally over the display to change the temperature»).

Claims (17)

1. Household appliance, in particular washing machine, tumble dryer, oven or stove, with a controller for controlling a function of the household appliance, with a display (3) and with a non-contact input unit (4), characterized in that the input unit (4) is designed for this purpose to differentiate between different trajectories of at least one user's hand and to generate different signals dependent on the trajectories, and that different control functions can be triggered with the control depending on the different signals. 2. Household appliance according to claim 1, wherein the input unit (4) at least two different trajectories parallel to a surface of the input unit (4) are distinguishable and the controller is configured to trigger different control functions depending on the different trajectories parallel to the surface. 3. Household appliance according to one of the preceding claims, wherein displayed on the display (3) image information or text information by trajectories parallel to the surface is displaceable. 4. Household appliance according to one of the preceding claims, wherein with the input unit (4) a distance of the user's hand in at least three gradations perpendicular to a surface of the input unit (4) can be determined and the controller is designed to trigger different control functions depending on the distance to the surface , 5. Household appliance according to one of the preceding claims, wherein via the input unit (4) at least one control value with more than two possible values is adjustable, in particular a temperature, a time or a period of time, wherein the controller can be brought into a value input state which the control value is adjustable depending on a position of the user's hand. 6. Household appliance according to claim 5, wherein in the value input state, the control value by a first movement along a first trajectory adjustable and a second movement along a second trajectory is set, the first and the second trajectory are substantially perpendicular to each other. A domestic appliance according to claim 6, wherein the control value set by the second movement is input by a third movement, thereby causing the controller to operate the domestic appliance with the control value, and more particularly wherein the third movement is against the second movement. 8. Domestic appliance according to one of claims 6 or 7, wherein one of the trajectories is perpendicular to a surface of the input unit (4). 9. Household appliance according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the household appliance has at least one light source which lights up when approaching by the user's hand to the input unit (4). 10. Domestic appliance according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the household appliance has at least one touch-actuatable button (5), by the actuation of the control in an input state can be brought, in which the device by contactless approach of the user's hand to the input unit (4 ) is controllable. 11. Household appliance according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the input unit (4) is adapted to determine positions of a left and a right user's hand simultaneously and a position-dependent left signal for a left hand and a position-dependent right signal for to generate a right hand, and with the controller depending on the left and right signal functions are triggered. 12. Household appliance according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the display (3) and the input unit (4) spatially overlap and in particular wherein the input unit (4) extends over the entire display (3). 13. Household appliance according to claim 12, wherein at least one input switching area (12a-f) can be displayed with the controller on a first area (10) of the display (3) and at least one textual or pictorial area on a second area (11) of the display (3) Information can be displayed, wherein by approaching the input button (12a-f), the control unit is controllable. 14. The household appliance according to claim 13, wherein the first area is arranged horizontally next to the second area and wherein the controller in a left-handed state includes the first area left to the second area and in a right-handed state the first area Area (10) to the right of the second area (11), and wherein the control by the user between the left-handed state and the right-handed state is switchable. 15. Household appliance according to one of claims 13 or 14, wherein in the first area (10) a plurality of input buttons (12a-f) are displayed and a content of the second area (11) by selecting different input buttons (12a-f) is changeable. 16. Household appliance according to one of the preceding claims, wherein it is designed as a washing machine, dryer, oven, dishwasher or stove. 17. Household appliance according to one of the preceding claims with a voice output.