DE102013100616A1 - Household appliance e.g. front-loaded washing machine, has transmission device transmitting device identification or information to communication device, where transmission device is attached at inner surface and outer surface of appliance - Google Patents

Abstract

The appliance (10) has a transmission device e.g. RFID transponder (12), utilized for transmitting a stored device identification (ID) i.e. RFID tag, or information to a mobile communication device (16) e.g. smart phone. The transmission device is attached at an inner surface and an outer surface of the appliance. Device information is provided beside the device ID. The RFID transponder is located in a detection area of a short range communication interface of the communication device, where location information is transmitted to the mobile communication device from a database. The transmission device is selected from a semiconductor memory, and optical and magnetic data carriers. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a method for automatic receipt of apparatus information for a household appliance (2) a data processing center (3) a communication device.

Description

The invention relates to a household appliance, for example a washing machine, a built-in appliance, a vacuum cleaner or the like, and further a method for automatically obtaining device information to such a household appliance.

From the WO 2011/103680 A An approach is known in which for a PSoC (Programmable System on Chip) by means of a mobile device, the downloading of software from the Internet should be possible. The PSoC is part of the control device of a device, for example a refrigerator, a microwave oven or the like, and with the approach maintenance of the respective device is facilitated by the fact that the control device is divided into individual modules and the reloading of software is possible.

In household appliances is now known to provide them by means of stickers or tags with a two-dimensional code (QR code, DataMatrix code or the like) and to make the user, customer or prospective in this way more information about the respective household appliance. The information can be contained directly in each generated code or the code contains data about the location of such information, so for example an Internet address.

However, this further information, which includes or makes accessible, for example, a service telephone number or the like, is lost when a sticker or tag with such a code is removed, which is usually done at the latest by the user of the respective household appliance at the installation or use.

 In a service case, the user of the respective household appliance must determine in several steps, which type of device is present and which service telephone number to use, so that it can then be selected manually and the service personnel of the determined device type can be communicated. This is expensive and prone to errors. Basically, a user manual for a household appliance can provide information about the respective device type. The same applies to a nameplate affixed to the respective domestic appliance or to a device designation which is sometimes attached to the appliance itself. However, the manual is often not available or no longer available. The nameplate is difficult for the user to locate and for reading the nameplate it may be necessary to move the household appliance, which is for example rather unsuitable for home appliances in the form of washing machines or the like for a large number of users.

Even if the user was able to determine information about the device type in one of the outlined ways, errors often occur when passing on this information to the service personnel, so that this assistance is only of limited assistance without a point of service (POS) to make a request of the user of the respective household appliance.

In order to keep a household appliance belonging to a device identifier and in particular the respective device type available at any time, would be considered in principle to summarize this in the form of a two-dimensional code of the type mentioned and permanently attached to the respective household appliance, such as by printing. However, such a permanent attachment of a two-dimensional code is in fact normally out of the question for aesthetic reasons.

The invention thus presents the problem of providing a way to easily provide the device provider, a service center or a service person improved information regarding devices to be maintained.

According to the invention, this problem is solved by a domestic appliance of the type mentioned at the beginning with the features of patent claim 1, a method according to claim 4, a data center according to claim 11, a communication device according to claim 12 and a system according to claim 14.

It is provided that with the household appliance automatically, electronically and contactless retrievable device identifier is combined and that the household appliance comprises a hereinafter referred to as transponder RFID transponder with a stored there in the form of a so-called RFID tag device identifier.

Such a transponder is an example of a data source which can be used in the context of a so-called Near Field Communication (abbreviation: NFC). In principle, other data sources can also be considered instead of such a transponder. It is essential that the retrieval of the device identifier is electronic and contactless. Furthermore, the access to a power connection is not necessarily required when using the so-called passive NFC.

By the retrieval is automatic, for example, with a mobile communication device in the form of a mobile phone, especially a so-called smartphone, the retrieval of the device identifier for the user and the respective mobile communication device automatically detects a located in the detection area data source, in particular a data source in shape a transponder of the type just mentioned, and can then automatically retrieve the data stored there. For both actions of the mobile communication device, that is first detecting a data source in the detection area and then retrieving data at a detected data source, a user action may be required, for example, a user action in the form of an operator action, the search for accessible data sources and / or starts retrieving data from a data source identified as reachable. Regardless of such eventual user actions, the retrieval of the device identifier of the household appliance otherwise takes place automatically according to a functionality encompassed by the mobile communication device and usually implemented in software.

Such a transponder or a similar data source which can be read out by way of short-range communication are a possibility for permanently combining a device identifier which can be called up there with a household appliance. In the following, without departing from any further generality, the term transponder is used as a description for each data source which can be read by means of short-range communication (as an embodiment, an RFID transponder or in another embodiment an NFC tag is retained as the data source) and because today mobile communication devices, in particular mobile phones and especially mobile phones in the form of so-called smartphones, already have an interface for short-range communication, the user by the attachment of such a transponder to a home appliance at any time and almost no problem the ability to retrieve the respective device identifier.

The device identifier can be read from the respective communication device, namely the display encompassed by it, and in this way forwarded to service personnel. However, the device identifier can also be transmitted by means of the communication device itself by electronic means to service personnel. In this connection, it is considered, for example, that the data retrievable by the transponder, in addition to a device identifier, which normally comprises at least the device type and optionally an article number, a production time, a manufacturing location, and so forth, comprise at least one further device information, ie, for example Telephone number or another date for dialing a destination subscriber. If the callable at the transponder data include such a phone number, an e-mail address or the like, automatically and contactless retrieved at the respective household appliance device identifier can automatically - possibly after a corresponding operation of the user to authorize the data transfer - to a service center for evaluation by service personnel (for example by e-mail or SMS). If such further device information is included in addition to the interpretable as the central device information device identifier of the retrievable at the transponder data, the user is not relieved only of the need to search such a phone number or the like himself and dial, but the number included in the device identifier number can also guide the user in a service center with a large number of service employees directly to the experts who are most familiar with the respective household appliance. This avoids unnecessary waiting times on the part of both the user and the service center.

When using NFC technology, only the NFC tag triggers a predefined action, such as providing an Internet connection. The pre-definition may be made by the manufacturer, a service provider or the user himself.

In a particular embodiment of the household appliance, the transponder is invisibly combined with the household appliance. The transponder then does not disturb the visual appearance of the respective household appliance. Invisible means in this context also any attachment of the transponder on the household appliance, which does not recognize the transponder directly as such. In order nevertheless to allow trouble-free short-range communication and retrieval of the device identifier in the transponder, it may additionally be provided that the position of the otherwise invisible transponder is identified, for example by the N-mark logo or the letter sequence frequently used to identify NFC-certified devices NFC or similar. Then the user can hold the communication device used in each case when retrieving the device identifier in the vicinity of such a label to ensure that the space distances usually provided between the transponder as a data source and the communication device are respected as a receiver, so that thus a trouble-free data transmission is possible.

In a further embodiment of the household appliance, the transponder in the manner described above is invisible and additionally captive combined with the household appliance. Inextricably means that the transponder can not normally be removed from the household appliance, at least not without the risk of damaging the transponder and / or the household appliance. For such a captive attachment of the transponder on the household appliance is an adhesive bond or the like, but also screws, soldering and so on into consideration. Another possibility for captive attachment of the transponder on the household appliance is that the acting as a receiving and transmitting antenna traces of the transponder are embedded in a component of the household appliance, for example, in a printed circuit board of a control device of the household appliance, acting as a structural element or the like plastic part or between coatings, for example coatings in the form of paint or the like, of a housing part of the household appliance.

In yet another embodiment of the household appliance, the transponder is mounted on an inner side of an outer surface of the household appliance. The transponder is invisible there in the manner described above and the position of the transponder can be indicated on the opposite outer side of the outer surface of the household appliance in the manner described above. The transponder can be combined on the inside of the outer surface of the household appliance in the manner described above captive with the household appliance. The positioning of the transponder on an inner side of an outer surface of the household appliance accordingly has the advantage that the local attachment of the transponder is usually comparatively simple and is possible in one production step or a few manufacturing steps and that the thus possible invisible attachment of the transponder the visual appearance of the respective household appliance does not bother.

A device identifier which can be called up automatically in a household appliance in the manner described above can also be used in an advantageous manner for applications beyond a forwarding of the device identifier to a service center. In this respect, the invention also relates to a method for the automatic receipt of device information based on a automatically, electronically and contactless retrievable in a household appliance device identifier. The term device information is used in the following both singular in the plural and always means at least one device information, for example, a relevant to the respective household appliance or relevant for the household appliance date, such as a retail price, but also more extensive amounts of data, such as Example an excerpt from a user manual or an operating manual or a complete operating manual / a complete operating manual or audio or video data.

In a first embodiment of such a method for obtaining device information to a household appliance as described above and described below with additional details, ie a household appliance, in which at least automatically, electronically and without contact a device identifier is retrievable, the following is provided: In a first step is with a mobile communication device, so a mobile phone, in particular a mobile phone in the form of a so-called smartphone, or the like, in the household appliance electronically and without contact read a device identifier. In a subsequent second step, the read device identifier is transmitted together with a location information of the communication device to a data processing center accessible on the Internet. The location information of the communication device may be, for example, location information in the form of GPS coordinates, such as are available from a GPS receiver that is often already included in today's mobile phones. As location information of the communication device is additionally or alternatively also any in the context of the so-called mobile phone positioning (GSM location) available position information into consideration, for example, an information that determines the location range of a mobile phone within a mobile network (Location Area; LA). The data processing center comprises means for automatic comparison of the transmitted location information with stored location information, and accordingly, in a third step, such a comparison of the respective location information transmitted by the mobile communication device with stored location information takes place. The stored location information is stored in a data base accessible to the data processing center. A data base that can be reached by the data processing center is any database held, for example, at the location of the data processing center, but also a database that can be used by the data processing center using the Internet or another communication infrastructure, possibly also a database in the form of a distributed database and / or a redundant database , With the transmitted from the mobile communication device to the data processing center, read at the respective appliance device identifier is a retrieval of device-specific data possible. With the result of the comparison of the transmitted location information with the stored location information is additionally a retrieval of location-specific or location information-specific data and / or filtering of the device-specific data possible. The respective data are retrieved from a data base accessible in the above-explained sense by the data processing center, and in a last step, the data thus retrieved and / or filtered are transmitted as device information to the respectively used communication device.

The advantage of such a method for automatically obtaining device information about a household appliance based on a device identifier which can be called up in the respective domestic appliance is, above all, that the device information can be enriched and / or filtered with respect to the location information transmitted by the respective communication device reading the device identifier. In this way, for example, as the phone number of a service center the phone number of the respective location information spatially closest service center can be transmitted as further device information. Otherwise, it is additionally or alternatively possible to automatically display the device information, which can be displayed on the screen of the respective communication device, in the language appropriate to the transmitted location information. For this, the data processing center either retrieves the respective device information only in the appropriate language from the respective database or the device information is retrieved from the data processing center in all available languages and then filtered depending on the transmitted location information, so that the transmission of the device information to the communication device only in the respective national language. Both variants, on the one hand a retrieval and a subsequent filtering or on the other hand a specific retrieval according to such a filtering without the need for subsequent filtering are basically equivalent and come accordingly - possibly even in combination: specific retrieval and subsequent filtering - for use in the here and considered in the following, without in each case in detail on the type of filtering or the possibility of using both variants is pointed out.

In a particular embodiment of the method for automatically obtaining device information about a household appliance, it is provided that the data processing system has access to a point-of-sale database with stored location information about household appliance sales points that the location information stored in the point-of-sale database is compared with the location information transmitted by the communication device with stored location information and in the event that the location information transmitted by the communication device matches a location information stored in the point-of-sale database, the point-of-sale-specific data is transmitted to the respective communication device as device information.

This makes it possible, for example, that at the respective communication device price information, delivery times and the like and / or performance data, test results (or references to test results) and consumption values are displayed as device information, which are then usually of interest to a potential purchaser of the respective household appliance if the Decision for a particular home appliance has not yet fallen concrete. Such device information is especially relevant when a potential purchaser wants to inform about the respective household appliance and then less relevant if the purchaser has already decided for a household appliance and this is placed or used in the place of use. By comparing the location information transmitted by the respective communication device with the location information stored in the point-of-sale database accessible by the data processing center, the data processing center can automatically recognize whether the location information transmitted by the used communication device matches a location information stored in the point-of-sale database and thus automatically decide whether the request to receive device information has been sent from a point of sale. If such a situation has been detected, the data processing center can automatically arrange for the dispatch of point-of-sale-specific data to the communication device as device information. The description that determines whether a transmitted location information matches stored location information means that it is determined whether the locations designated by the location information are within a predetermined or predeterminable distance from one another, that is, for example, that transmitted by the communication facility Location information within a radius of fifty meters or one hundred meters around the point of sale indicated by the stored location information.

In a further embodiment of the method, it is provided that in a situation that could not be recognized as a request for obtaining device information from a point of sale on the basis of the point of sale database and the location information stored there, this as a request for obtaining device information to a is already evaluated at the place of use in operation or going into operation domestic appliance and that correspondingly retrieved as device information user-specific data from an accessible by the data processing center in the sense described above database and transmitted to the particular communication device used. As user-specific data is understood to mean data that may be of importance to the user during maintenance or when using the respective household appliance. This may include, for example, that the user of a vacuum cleaner on local special offers for consumables, so for example dust bag and the like, is pointed, such local special offers by the data processing center automatically based on the transmitted with the request of the device information from the respective communication device used location information are selectable.

In yet another embodiment of the method for obtaining device information about a household appliance with a device identifier which can be automatically called there, it is provided that the data processing center stores retrieval of device information, at least in the form of the device identifier and location information respectively transmitted by the used communication device, that upon retrieval of Device information in the event of an earlier retrieval of device information with different location information this is detected as a change of location of the household appliance and that in case of relocation additional information in relation to the transmitted with the current retrieval of the device information location information is transmitted to the communication device. Thus, the user of the household appliance after the relocation, so for example after a move, as a device information list of the active in the environment of the new location dealer with addresses, phone numbers and the like are provided. The data processing center can carry out a compilation of such data automatically and without the assistance of service personnel operating at the location of the data processing center on the basis of the software functionality implemented there.

The advantage of these aspects of the invention lies in the linking of device information with location information and / or the filtering of device information based on location information. The device information which can be called up by the user can be adapted specifically to a requirement assumed on the basis of the respective location information. Such an adjustment can be made automatically by a data processing center, so that the adaptation is completely unnoticed by the user requesting the device information.

Advantageous embodiments and modifications of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims. Here used backlinks indicate the further development of the subject matter of the main claim by the features of the respective subclaim. They should not be construed as a waiver of obtaining independent, objective protection for the feature combinations of the dependent claims. Furthermore, with a view to an interpretation of the claims in a closer specification of a feature in a subordinate claim, it is to be assumed that such a restriction does not exist in the respective preceding claims.

For carrying out the method and its embodiments, it is provided that on the one hand the respective mobile communication device used and on the other hand the data processing center reachable on the Internet comprise means, thus usually a functionality implemented in software, in order thereby the procedure steps on the side of the communication device and the process steps running on the side of the data processing center perform. The invention is thus on the one hand also a computer program with corresponding, executable by a computer program code instructions and on the other hand, a storage medium with such a computer program and finally a mobile communication device and a data processing center, loaded in the memory as a means for performing the method and its embodiments, such a computer program or is loadable. The invention is thus also a mobile communication device with a memory and a processing unit in the form of or in the manner of a microprocessor, wherein the memory is loaded with a computer program executable by the processing unit, which is suitable and intended for execution by the processing unit, all here and the communication device side method steps described below. The invention accordingly also relates to a data processing center which can be reached on the Internet, likewise having a memory and a processing unit in the form of or in the manner of a microprocessor, wherein a computer program executable by the processing unit of the data processing center is loaded into the memory and suitable for execution by the processing unit is determined to execute all here and described below in the data processing center running process steps. Finally, the invention is also a system with at least one such Data processing center or possibly a plurality of mutually communicatively connected data processing centers, with at least one mobile communication device, which is designed to automatically, electronically and contactlessly retrieve a device identifier in a dedicated household appliance, and with at least one such household appliance, in which automatically and contactless a Device ID is retrievable.

An embodiment of the invention is shown purely schematically in the drawings and will be described in more detail below. Corresponding objects or elements are provided in all figures with the same reference numerals. The embodiment is not to be understood as limiting the invention. Rather, in the context of the present disclosure, modifications and modifications are possible, in particular those variants, for example, by combination or modification of individual in connection with the described in the general or specific description part and in the claims and / or the drawings features or method steps for those skilled in the art with regard to the solution of the problem can be removed and lead by combinable features to a new subject or to new process steps or process steps.

Show it

1 a washing machine as an example of a household appliance,

2 a transmission of a device identifier of the household appliance to a mobile communication device intended for calling such a device identifier, for example a mobile telephone,

3 a representation for retrieving device information at an accessible on the Internet data processing center based on the device identifier,

4 a representation for retrieving device information at an accessible on the Internet data processing center based on the device identifier and a location information,

5 a table with location information stored in entries therein and

6 an overview of the executed by the communication device and the data processing center steps and the data transmitted thereby.

1 shows a washing machine as an example of a household appliance 10 and the pictorial representation of a washing machine is in no way intended as a limitation of the description presented here on washing machines as household appliances 10 be interpreted, because in fact just as well as other devices come into consideration.

The respective household appliance 10 includes a short in the following as a transponder 12 designated RFID transponder, which in a conventional manner according to the short-range communication standard (Near Field Communication; NFC) is readable and stored in the form of an RFID tag device identifier 14 ( 2 ). To retrieve the device ID 14 at the household appliance 10 and for automatic, electronic and contactless reading of the device identifier 14 is a mobile communication device 16 , For example, a mobile phone, in particular a mobile phone in the form of a so-called smartphone, provided. The mobile communication device 16 comprises a short-range communication interface, not shown separately, known per se, which retrieves data from a suitable data source, in this case one from a household appliance 10 included transponder 12 , allowed according to the short-range communication standard.

In the illustrated embodiment, the transponder 12 with the household appliance 10 invisibly combined by the transponder 12 on an inner side of an outer surface of the household appliance 10 is attached, here on an inside as a control panel 18 functioning outer surface, at which also a washing machine usually provided program selector switch 20 located. The representation in 1 So to speak it shows a washing machine with a transparent control panel 18 and a likewise transparent device cover to the inside of the household appliance 10 attached transponder 12 to be able to represent.

To retrieve the device ID 14 becomes the mobile communication device 16 near the transponder 12 brought so that of the acting as a data source transponder 12 by means of the mobile communication device 16 under control of a functionality usually implemented in software, the device identifier 14 at the household appliance 10 can be retrieved. In this case, the transmission of the respective information takes place without the influence of a lighting situation or any soiling, which could hinder the reading in of a QR code or the like.

2 is a schematically simplified illustration of the situation according to 1 , On the right side is the transponder 12 shown. Left is the mobile communication device 16 shown. The transponder 12 includes the device identifier 14 of the respective household appliance 10 and this at least one coding of a respective type of appliance of the household appliance 10 , The semicircular arches, which are turned to the right and to the left, are intended to depict wave fronts of electromagnetic waves arising during the reading out of the transponder 12 to retrieve the device identifier 14 result. The right-facing block arrow illustrates that with the communication device 16 outgoing electromagnetic waves in the transponder 12 Coupled electrical energy and the left-facing block arrow illustrates that as a result of such energy coupling from the transponder 12 output data provided by the communication device 16 be received. The whole, apart from the use of a home appliance 10 assigned transponders 12 known process causes a reading of the transponder 12 and there held in the form of an RFID tag device identifier 14 and is here and in the following briefly as reading the device identifier 14 designated. As a result of such readout of the device identifier 14 is the device ID 14 finally (also) in a non-separately shown memory of the mobile communication device 16 ,

The representation in 3 shows - also schematically greatly simplified - the mobile communication device 16 according to 2 with the from the mobile communication device 16 at the respective household appliance 10 ( 1 ) retrieved device identifier 14 , then the internet as a cloud 22 and finally one on the internet 22 reachable data processing center 24 , The mobile communication device 16 can in a known manner on a wireless way to the Internet 22 access and that's over the internet 22 a communicative connection between the mobile communication device 16 on the one hand and the data processing center 24 on the other hand possible. On the actual spatial distance between the mobile communication device 16 (and thus the location of the household appliance 10 ) and the data processing center 24 it comes because of the use of the internet 22 or a similar communication infrastructure.

With the device identifier 14 and the transmission of the device identifier 14 by the mobile communication device 16 over the internet 22 to the data processing center 24 is through the data processing center 24 a retrieval from to the device identifier 14 appropriate data 26 at one of the data processing center 24 reachable database 28 possible. The retrieved data 26 - if necessary after automatic processing or filtering - as device information 30 to the communication device 16 transmitted and are thus finally (also) in the memory of the communication device 16 , There they are at one of the mobile communication device 16 Usually included screen or similar display device in a manner known per se displayed.

Based on the obtained device information 30 can by the user of the communication device 16 be selected, whether an order for the respective household appliance 10 should be performed, whether a function of the household appliance 10 displayed and / or explained, for example, an explanation of a rather complex device function such as the automatic detergent dosing in a washing machine, or if a request from maintenance personnel to the site of the household appliance 10 (Service call) should take place.

The representation in 4 shows a situation based on the illustration in FIG 3 , so that reference can be made to the explanation of further details on the local description. In addition to the illustration in 3 is in 4 shown that the communication device 16 about a location information 32 , for example in the form of regularly or as needed according to the position of the communication device 16 updated GPS coordinates, features. The at the respective household appliance 10 ( 1 ) retrieved device identifier 14 will be together with the location information 32 to the on the internet 22 reachable data processing center 24 transmitted. The data processing center 24 includes means, so for example a corresponding software functionality to the transmitted location information 32 with stored location information 34 to compare. The stored location information 34 can be found in the already mentioned database 28 or another database 36 namely a database 36 for stored location information 34 , are located (the type and number of the data processing center 24 used databases 28 . 36 Incidentally, for the execution of the approach proposed here without particular importance and without deviating from the core of the description presented here are a variety of implementation options with, for example, all necessary data central database or one or more distributed databases conceivable). The comparison of the transmitted location information 32 with the stored location information 34 is done by the data processing center 24 automatically, without any intervention from, for example, the area of the data processing center 24 active staff. Also in this sense automatically and due to the data processing center 24 provided and usually implemented in software functionality takes place depending on both Result of the comparison of the location information 32 . 34 as well as the device identifier 14 a retrieval of data 26 or a retrieval and subsequent filtering of data 26 - individually or collectively referred to as polling - from one of the data processing center 24 reachable database 28 , These dates 26 are subsequently called device information 30 to the communication device 16 transmitted and can be displayed there in the manner already described. This allows the user of the communication device 16 , which is, for example, a user of the respective household appliance 10 or to a person who is interested in acquiring such a household appliance 10 interests, acts, of the transmitted device information 30 Take note.

The consideration of the communication device 16 transmitted location information 32 For example, this can lead to the communication device 16 transmitted device information 30 according to the respective location information 32 country-specific adapted and in particular in one to the location information 32 appropriate language is transmitted.

In the mentioned comparison of the location information 32 . 34 is through the data processing center 24 automatically one to the transmitted location information 32 best matching stored location information 34 or a plurality of transmitted location information 32 matching stored location information 34 determined. The or each stored location information determined as appropriate 34 or one with the stored location information 34 associated date can then be used for retrieving the data 26 be used. In the case of a stored location information 34 associated date may be, for example, a country code to code in this way, in which country the stored to the location information 34 belonging place lies. With such a country code, the retrieved data 26 be filtered to the device information 30 in the appropriate language. With the stored location information 34 For example, a plurality of such data explained here using the example of a country code can be associated individually or together as a criterion for the automatic retrieval of device information 30 eligible data 26 through the data processing center 24 at the or each of this accessible database 28 to serve.

In an application scenario that can be realized on this basis, it is provided that the database 36 with stored location information 34 a sales point database with stored location information 34 to household appliances sales points, so specialized stores and the like, acts. At one of the data processing center 24 in the sense outlined above, automatically comparing the communication device 16 transmitted location information 32 with stored location information 34 become the location information stored in the point of sale database 34 considered. In the event that the of the communication device 16 transmitted location information 32 to a location information stored in the point of sale database 34 fits through the data processing center 24 as device information 30 point of sale-specific data to the communication device 16 transmitted. In this case, sales-specific data are understood as data that is usually stored in a sales point for household appliances 10 are relevant, namely, for example, price information, performance data, consumption values, information and / or explanations to special functions of the respective household appliance and the advantages that can be achieved up to videos or the like, with which the use of the respective household appliance 10 and its scope of performance is presented in a clear and possibly compressed way.

If in comparing the transmitted location information 32 with the stored location information 34 it is determined that the mobile communication device 16 when retrieving the device identifier 14 of the respective household appliance 10 is not located in or within the scope of a home appliance sales point, this is evaluated so that the with the transmission of the device identifier 14 requested device information 30 is needed for a situation in which the respective household appliance 10 is already in operation with the user or is to be put into operation, so that instead of sales point-specific information related device-specific information to the communication device 16 be transmitted.

An additional or alternative option for device information 30 depending on a previously together with a location information 32 transmitted device identifier 14 Transmittable data is information prepared by a dealer. Based on the originally transmitted location information 32 can automatically through the data processing center 24 a specialist dealer or a plurality of specialist dealers are determined, who are within a predetermined or specifiable radius around the originally transmitted by the location information 32 designated place. This is for the data processing center 24 by comparing the originally transmitted location information 32 with location information stored and the location of individual dealers 34 possible in the point of sales database. The or each as suitable selected stored location information 34 Includes or references the information prepared by the dealer. This may be, for example, a hypertext, ie in particular an HTML page. The information prepared by the dealer can inform the user of the originally requesting communication device 16 in the well-known from HTML pages or the like, clear view to detail information about the transmitted by the device identifier 14 specified household appliance 10 lead to manufacturer-specific detailed information (for example manual) and / or retailer-specific detailed information (for example, consumables, special offers, instructions for use). This data can be completely as device information 30 to the requesting communication device 16 be transmitted. Alternatively, it is also possible that the transmitted data references to others on the Internet (such as on the website of the manufacturer of the household appliance 10 or on the website of the specialist retailer).

5 shows one in the area of the data processing center 24 and for another way of using the mobile communication device 16 transmitted location information 32 provided table 38 , where instead of a table 38 Other types of storage for similar data sets, such as a single or double-linked list, a data-technical tree, or the like may be considered. In any case, the respective data structure includes, here the table 38 , a plurality of entries 40 for storing access to the data processing center 24 on the basis of one in each case with a household appliance 10 detected device identifier 14 , For each such access, that of the communication device 16 transmitted location information 32 saved, so in the table 38 a plurality of stored location information 34 that is, to everyone already at an access to the data processing center 24 used device identifier 14 a location information, in particular the last used location information. Based on such stored location information 34 is by comparing the stored location information 34 with the currently used by the communication device 16 transmitted location information 32 recognizable if a renewed access to the data processing center 24 takes place with a temporarily changed location information. If so, this is done by the data processing center 24 automatically as a change of location of the device identifier 14 designated household appliance 10 recognized. The device identifier 14 must be sufficiently clear for this, for example, by the respective household appliance 10 as a device identifier 14 Not only a device type, but also at least a serial number is read out. If a change of location is detected, for example a move, then the data processing center can 24 automatically as device information 30 Additional information regarding the current retrieval of device information 30 transmitted location information 32 to the communication device 16 be transmitted. Such additional information may, for example, the addresses of in the vicinity of the transmitted location information 32 resident dealers and optionally include the respective distances.

Coming back to the presentation in 1 and the introductory remark, according to which as household appliances 10 Although other devices come into consideration, one of the advantages of the approach described here is also that with one and the same mobile communication device 16 in a variety of household appliances 10 the local device ID 14 read out and on this basis device information 30 can be retrieved. To access the device information 30 is enough for one user of several household appliances 10 ie a device, namely a correspondingly equipped mobile communication device 16 , and it is possible with this one device different device information 30 to retrieve and use.

Finally, with reference to the illustration in 6 the sequence of the individual process steps and, if necessary, necessary operator actions of the user are shown in context. On the left side is the household appliance 10 , in the middle the mobile communication device 16 and on the right side the data processing center 24 shown. First (first step 50 ) takes place with the mobile communication device 16 a call of the device identifier 14 at the household appliance 10 , For this purpose, the user activates a corresponding functionality of the mobile communication device 16 or the mobile communication device 16 recognizes a household appliance 10 with a transponder 12 in the detection area of the short-range communication interface of the mobile communication device 16 and informs the user of the possibility of the local device ID 14 to be able to read. In such a situation, the user confirms that already from the mobile communication device 16 proposed option for reading the device identifier 14 of the household appliance 10 , Then (second step 52 ), either without further user intervention or due to a repeated confirmation of the user by a corresponding operation on the mobile communication device 16 the device identifier 14 or the device ID 14 together with a location information 32 the mobile communication device 16 to the data processing center 24 Posted. The Data processing center 24 engages (third step 54 ) automatically, ie without intervention from the location of the data processing center 24 about active service personnel, at least based on the device identifier 14 at least one for the data processing center 24 reachable database 28 . 36 ( 3 . 4 ) to there to the device identifier 14 or to the device identifier 14 and the location information 32 suitable data 26 ( 3 . 4 ) to investigate. The data determined as appropriate 26 are subsequently (fourth step 56 ), if necessary after previous processing or filtering, as device information 30 to the mobile communication device 16 transmitted. There you either automatically (fifth step 58 ), so without user intervention, so that the user of the transmission of the device identifier 14 requested device information 30 Take note. Alternatively informed (also fifth step 58 ) the mobile communication device 16 the user after receiving the device information 30 the user about their availability and the user can use the data processing center 24 received device information after a corresponding operation on the mobile communication device 16 retrieve (still fifth step 58 ).

To retrieve the data 26 from the database 28 compares the data processing center 24 by means of a software functionality implemented there, the received device identifier 14 with one the respective data 26 distinguishing identifier and a match of this identifier with the received device identifier 14 or a partial, but otherwise at least sufficient match, the respective date applies 26 or the respective record 26 as to the received device identifier 14 fitting and thus comes as the originally requesting mobile communication device 16 device information to be transmitted 30 into consideration. Regarding the data 26 in the or each database 28 distinguishing identifier comes into consideration, depending on the type of device identifier 14 is formed, for example, a string with device type information, the suitability of the respective date 26 for several household appliance types can be reduced to a common component of all device types. Other ways to recognize such data 26 with a corresponding identifier are also conceivable.

When retrieving the data 26 from the or each database 28 even those of the mobile communication device 16 transmitted location information 32 is taken into account, becomes a result of a comparison of the transmitted location information 32 with stored location information 34 when selecting the transmitted device ID 14 appropriate data 26 additionally considered. For example, individual data 26 have a country or language identifier, so this only as device information 30 to the requesting mobile communication device 16 be transmitted when the originally transmitted location information 32 a localization of the communication device 16 in a language space suitable for the country or speech recognition. Likewise, individual data 26 have an identifier that they identify as a specific sales point, so that such data 26 only as device information 30 to the communication device 16 be transmitted when from the transmitted location information 32 and a comparison with stored location information 34 results in the retrieval of device information 30 was triggered from the location of a known appliance sales point. In this way, additional and not mentioned here markings of the data processing center 24 achievable data 26 and thus their targeted and automatic selection based on the originally transmitted device identifier 14 and either the originally transmitted location information 32 or the result of a comparison of the transmitted location information 32 with stored location information 34 possible.

Individual aspects of the description presented here can thus be briefly summarized as follows: It becomes a household appliance 10 and a method for automatically obtaining device information 30 to a household appliance 10 indicated, the household appliance 10 an automatically, electronically and contactless retrievable device identifier 14 includes, and wherein to obtain device information 30 from a mobile communication device 16 one with the communication device 16 retrieved device identifier 14 and a location information 32 the communication device 16 to one on the internet 22 reachable data processing center 24 based on which the data processing center 24 one corresponding to the device identifier 14 and the location information 32 relevant device information 30 to the communication device 16 transmitted.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

household appliance

12

transponder

14

equipment identity

16

mobile communication device (e.g., mobile phone, smartphone)

18

control panel

20

Program switch

22

Internet

24

Data processing center

26

dates

28

database

30

Device information (s)

32

Location information (the mobile communication device)

34

stored location information

36

Database for stored location information

38

table

40

Entry (in the table)

50

(first step

52

(second step

54

(Third step

56

(fourth step

58

(fifth) step

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• WO 2011/103680 A [0002]

Claims (14)

Household appliance ( 10 ) with a in the household appliance ( 10 ) contactlessly accessible device identifier ( 14 ), characterized in that the household appliance ( 10 ) An institution ( 12 ) for transmitting a stored device identifier ( 14 ) or information regarding the device to a mobile communication device ( 16 ). Household appliance ( 10 ) according to claim 1, wherein the device ( 12 ) a mounted on or in the household appliance RFID transponder ( 12 ), Semiconductor memory, optical and or magnetic data carriers. Household appliance ( 10 ) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the device ( 12 ) on an inner side of an outer surface of the household appliance ( 10 ) and next to the device identifier ( 14 ) at least one further device information ( 30 ). Method for automatically obtaining device information ( 30 ) relating to a household appliance ( 10 ) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein with a mobile communication device ( 16 ) of the household appliance ( 10 ) electronically and contactlessly a device identifier ( 14 ) is detected, wherein the read device identifier ( 14 ) together with a location information ( 32 ) of the communication device ( 16 ) to one by means of a communication connection ( 22 ) reachable data processing center ( 24 ) is transmitted. Method for automatically obtaining device information ( 30 ) to a household appliance ( 10 ) according to claim 4, wherein the data processing center ( 24 ) Means for automatically comparing the transmitted location information ( 32 ) with stored location information ( 34 ), depending on both the result of the comparison of the location information ( 32 . 34 ) as well as the device identifier ( 14 ) from one of the data processing center ( 24 ) reachable database ( 28 ) Dates ( 26 ) and where the from the database ( 28 ) retrieved data ( 26 ) as device information ( 30 ) to the communication device ( 16 ). Method for automatically obtaining device information ( 30 ) to a household appliance ( 10 ) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the communication connection by means of Internet ( 22 ) or communication services of the Internet is provided. Method for automatically obtaining device information ( 30 ) to a household appliance ( 10 ) according to one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the data processing center ( 24 ) Access to a sales point database with stored location information ( 34 ) to household appliances outlets, whereby, in a comparison, the 16 ) transmitted location information ( 32 ) with stored location information ( 34 ) the location information stored in the point-of-sale database ( 34 ) and as device information ( 30 ) sales point-specific data from the sales point database to the communication device ( 16 ). Method for automatically obtaining device information ( 30 ) to a household appliance ( 10 ) according to claim 7, wherein information prepared by a specialist dealer is provided as device information ( 30 ) and as sales station-specific data to the communication device ( 16 ). Method for automatically obtaining device information ( 30 ) to a household appliance ( 10 ) according to claim 8, wherein the device information prepared by a dealer ( 30 ) Hypertext include. Method for automatically obtaining device information ( 30 ) to a household appliance ( 10 ) according to one of claims 4 to 9, wherein the data processing center ( 24 ) Get device information ( 30 ) and the thereby used by the used communication device ( 16 ) transmitted location information ( 32 ), whereby upon retrieval of device information ( 30 ) in case of earlier retrieval of device information ( 30 ) with different location information this as a change of location of the household appliance ( 10 ) and in the case of a relocation additional information relating to the current retrieval of the device information ( 30 ) transmitted location information ( 32 ) to the communication device ( 16 ). Data processing center ( 24 ) with a computer program with program code means for the execution of all the above and by the data processing center ( 24 ) to be executed process steps. Communication device ( 16 ), which is adapted to a device identifier ( 14 ) from a household appliance according to one of claims 1 to 3, to determine a location information of its own position and as a combined data set to a data processing center ( 24 ). Communication device ( 16 ) according to claim 12, which is designed as a mobile telephone or communication-capable computer, comprising a software implemented as program code (App), the communication device thereto enables a device identifier ( 14 ) from a household appliance according to one of claims 1 to 3, to determine a location information of its own position and as a combined data set to a data processing center ( 24 ). System with a household appliance ( 10 ) according to one of claims 1 to 3, of a mobile communication device intended and established for participation in the method according to one of claims 4 to 10 ( 16 ) according to one of the claims 12 or 13 and a data processing center intended and furnished for participation in the method according to any one of claims 4 to 8 ( 24 ), in particular a data processing center ( 24 ) according to claim 11.

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