EP2041353B1 - Programme-controlled domestic appliance with a simplified memory function and method for programming input - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a program-controlled household appliance with a simplified memory function and a method for program input. In particular, the invention relates to a program-controlled domestic appliance in which the storage of user-specific inputs is simplified.

In program-controlled household appliances such as a laundry treatment machine (washing machine or tumble dryer) or possibly electric stoves or ovens a factory default program (fixed program, fixed program) is generally performed.

In the case of a washing machine, program selection is done in part by the entry of laundry-related data, e.g. Type of washing, degree of soiling, filling quantity, which are generally requested by the user via illuminated displays. The changes made by the user and / or additions to programs are usually saved as final.

The program control then generally causes the most sensible and economical of the stored fixed programs to be selected on the basis of the entries made by a user after pressing a start key. A parked on specific wishes of the user and / or amendment of the stored fixed programs is not possible in such a washing machine in general.

The DE 44 22 128 A1 describes a program-controlled household appliance, such as washing machine, tumble dryer, dishwasher or the like, in which the functional sequence according to electronically stored program instructions, wherein a freely programmable electronic control consisting of a data input and data output unit with a display over which the existing Program specifications by entering additional data or parameters varied or supplemented and the varied programs are stored marked, is present, so that these programs are retrievable for an automatic functional sequence of the program memory.

The DE 199 08 363 A1 describes such a program-controlled domestic appliance and a method for program input, wherein the data input unit comprises at least one manually operable input element which is prepared by a first operation for the input of the data and / or parameters and the second operation for inputting the data and / or parameter itself serves. For example, if a display shows a time for a program, the operator has the option of changing the time by pressing a switch. The changed period of time is then displayed again on the display and stored either automatically or after pressing one of the operating elements again.

1. a) ein zugehöriges Programm mit gespeicherten Programmparametern gestartet wird und zugleich
2. b) wenigstens für eine vorbestimmte Zeitdauer die aktuellen Programmparameter des Programms auf jeweils einem Anzeigefeld der Anzeigevorrichtung angezeigt werden sowie das Eingabe-Bedienelement derart aktiviert wird, dass wenigstens einer der Programmparameter durch Betätigen wenigstens eines dem zugehörigen Anzeigefeld zugeordneten Eingabe-Bedienelementes veränderbar ist.

The DE 198 32 757 A1 describes a method for controlling a cooking appliance, a washing machine or a dishwasher and corresponding devices in which a graphic display device and an input control element associated with this display device and at least two function controls for selecting specific device functions are present and in the after selection of a function by pressing one of the function controls

1. a) an associated program with stored program parameters is started and at the same time
2. b) at least for a predetermined period of time, the current program parameters of the program are displayed on a respective display panel of the display device and the input control is activated such that at least one of the program parameters by operating at least one associated with the associated display panel input control is variable.

In one embodiment of this method, after a change in a program parameter by actuating an associated input operating element, the cooking, washing or rinsing program is continued with the modified program parameter.

The EP 0 898 003 B1 discloses a multifunctional washing machine control apparatus having a display display with plain text displayable and selectable operating programs, a control knob for invoking the display of an operating program in the display by turning the control knob and an enter function for selecting a called operating program, the display - Display has several lines in which several operating programs can be displayed simultaneously, one of which can be selected by turning the knob and selectable by the button or put into operation or combined with another program or program part.

In one embodiment of the invention, additional push buttons P1-P4 (see the figures of EP 0 898 003 B1 ), which can preferably serve as a memo button for storage and for particularly fast retrieval option of preferred or frequently used operating program combinations or special buttons to supplement the retrievable in the display programs by other operating programs.

A method for compiling, changing and / or supplementing an operating program in a household appliance and such a household appliance is out WO 2005/066547 A2 known. Such a household appliance has at least one change function element and an acknowledgment and / or storage function element of an operating element. An inputted change for an operation program is automatically confirmed, accepted and / or stored by the home appliance during a certain period of time via the confirmation and / or storage function element and after lapse of a predetermined period of time.

Other program-controlled household appliances with a memory function as well as methods for program input of such a memory function are also off DE 100 35 642 C1 or WO 2005/026621 A1 known.

The document EP 184 7643 A2 discloses state of the art according to Art. 54 (3) EPC.

However, these known control devices require a special operating action for storing user-made settings and / or multiple switches or keys for the storage of multiple programs.

The object of the invention was therefore to provide a program-controlled household appliance and a method for program input, which give the user the ability to adjust the stored fixed programs in an improved manner to his individual needs.

According to the invention, these objects are achieved by a program-controlled domestic appliance having the features of claim 1 and by a method having the features of claim 9. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are listed in the subclaims.

The invention thus relates to a program-controlled domestic appliance having an operating device (1) with a display (2), at least two manually actuable switches (3, 5), via which call, modification and / or supplementation of operating programs for controlling the household appliance is possible, and a memory function for storing a user-selectable, user-specified input operating program that can be selected with a first switch of the switches, wherein another switch or switches that are different from the first switch are or are for the user-specific inputs for assembling the freely-created operating program can or can be used.

Furthermore, the user-specific inputs are stored only if the inputs are made before the operating program is put into operation. User-specific entries that are entered during a running operating program are then not saved for the selected freely create operating program. Thus, actuation of one of the further switches for setting the user-specific inputs only before the commissioning of an operating program, in addition to the selection of these inputs, at the same time causes the inputs for a program or memory location selected with the first switch to be stored. Therefore, re-setting the first switch to the same memory location becomes the new one selected, modified or supplemented operating program selected only if the inputs were not made during an ongoing operating program. This allows a user to change an individualized operating program without saving the change by making the change during a running operating program. Thus, in particular after a one-time adaptation, the user can again call the operating program stored before the adaptation.

Preferably, a selectable with the first switch, freely programmable operating program is changeable.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the user-specific inputs for composing, modifying and / or supplementing operating programs are stored directly for the selected freely-created operating program and / or used directly in an ongoing operating program during an input during a current operating program. "Direct" in the sense of the invention in this case means that no further operator action at a switch for storage or implementation must be made.

It is also preferred that the compilation, modification and / or supplementation of operating programs and the storage of freely configurable operating programs after actuation of the first switch by konsekutive actuation of the or the other switch happens.

In a further embodiment of the invention, at least one storage space is provided for storing a freely created operating program. The number of memory locations for freely programmable or programmable operating programs and for fixed programs is not limited according to the invention.

By pressing the first or by pressing the first and the further switch possible user-specific inputs can be displayed on a display. It is particularly advantageous if the switch or the other switches, in particular keys, are arranged for display display such that an illustrated possible input is associated with the further switch, for example, that the possible input next to one of the other switches is shown on the.

In general, an operating program for a programmable home appliance according to the invention is or after selection of the last

Operating program part can be set by pressing the first button or the second button in operation.

The program-controlled domestic appliance of the present invention is preferably a laundry treatment appliance such as a washing machine or a tumble dryer, in particular a washing machine.

The invention also relates to a method for assembling, modifying and / or supplementing an operating program in a program-controlled domestic appliance of the present invention, in which a memory space for an operating program is called up by actuation of the first switch enabling the storage of a program and by actuation of a further switch or another switch is a compilation, modification and / or supplementation of the operating program is made, the compilation, the change and / or supplementation on actuation of the switch or the other switch directly by implementation in the current operating program and / or directly by storage for the storage space (M1, M2, etc.) is used.

In general, different program specifications are made in home appliances at the factory, so that by a check of the user made information on malfunction of the appliance leading settings of the device can be avoided. The user of the household appliance according to the invention, e.g. a washing machine, can then modify and / or supplement individual inputs in the factory fixed operating programs by inputting certain data adapted to their needs within a certain framework and subjecting such a modified program to an identification code such as e.g. MEMORY1, MEMORY2, etc. or M1, M2, etc. are saved.

For example, in a laundry treatment program of a washing machine, the duration of a particular process step and the liquor temperature or clear water temperature to be used in this case can be specified. The program-controlled household appliance according to the invention and the method according to the invention have numerous advantages. Thus, an operating action for saving the settings on a memory function, ie omitted in a memory unit of the household appliance. As a result, a simpler operation and / or barrier freedom is possible. In addition, a control element provided for storing the settings on a memory function is not needed, so that a cost saving can be realized. The user can thus assemble his own customized operating programs and store them for later execution or make the change only for an operating program without having to change a previously stored program. Thus, the application of an inventively equipped household appliance in practice is significantly expanded.

The settings stored in the memory function can be called up and used with changed values without having to change the stored settings. This is especially advantageous if this change is only relevant for a one-time operation program execution.

• Figur 1 zeigt eine Bedienvorrichtung eines programmgesteuerten Haushaltsgerätes, beispielsweise einer Wäschebehandlungsmaschine (Waschmaschine, Wäschetrockner), gemäß einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Haushaltsgerätes.
• Figur 2 zeigt eine Bedienvorrichtung eines programmgesteuerten Haushaltsgerätes gemäß einer weiteren bevorzugten Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Haushaltsgerätes.

The invention will be described below with reference to the FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrated in more detail.

• FIG. 1 shows an operating device of a program-controlled household appliance, such as a laundry treatment machine (washing machine, dryer), according to a preferred embodiment of the household appliance according to the invention.
• FIG. 2 shows an operating device of a program-controlled household appliance according to another preferred embodiment of the household appliance according to the invention.

In FIG. 1 the operating device 1, a display 2 and a first manually operable switch in the form of a rotatable control knob 3 with a Fingermulde 4 for selecting fixed operating programs (P1, P2, P3, etc.) and / or memory locations (M1, M2, etc.) and arranged next to the display 2 switch 7 in the form of control buttons for selecting other operating programs, subroutines and / or operating parameters , By pressing the control knob 3 and / or the control buttons 7 user-specific inputs can be made, a desired operating program can be selected with operating parameters selected.

When setting the control knob 3 to a memory location, such as M1, the selection of a freely programmed operating program, which is displayed on the display 2 takes place. A change or addition to the selected operating program then takes place only via the switches 7. For this purpose, 2 possible user-specific inputs are displayed on the display, which are selected by actuating a switch 7 assigned to an input shown. Such possible inputs are the selectable via the control knob 3 fixed operating programs P1, P2, etc., which are then additionally displayed on the display 2, and subroutines and operating parameters. By pressing a switch 7, the displayed input option for the selected memory location, for example, memory space M1, stored.

According to the invention, the storage takes place only when the operating program has not yet been put into operation. By pressing the switch 7, a new input option is displayed on the display 2, which is stored by pressing the switch 7 again.

The storage is done directly by pressing the control button and / or the control knob. 3

A set operation program P1, P2, etc. or M1, M2, etc. using the selected sub-programs and / or operating parameters is automatically set after a predetermined period of time after the last operation of a switch 3 or 7 in operation. In an alternative embodiment, a Commissioning of an operating program by pressing a further switch, not shown, for example, a start button.

During a running operating program, the operating program, a subroutine and / or the operating parameters can still be changed by actuating one or more switches. Such changes only apply to the continuation of the current operating program; the change for a selected memory location is not saved. The re-commissioning using the modified inputs is again automatically after a predetermined period of time or by pressing the Start button.

The storage of the input and / or the implementation of the input in the current operating program done directly with pressing the control button 7 and / or the control knob. 3

In the in FIG. 2 shown operating device 1 of a program-controlled household appliance according to a further preferred embodiment of the household appliance according to the invention, the control device 1 also comprises a display 2, a manually operable switch in the form of a rotatable control knob 3 with a finger recess 4 for selecting operating programs, and arranged next to the display switches. 7 , where the symbols P1, P2 and P3 etc. also represent stored solid operating programs. The call of freely programmable operating programs takes place in this embodiment, however, via a manually operable switch 5, which is provided here with the label "MEMORY". Above the printed symbols M1, M2 and M3, which represent memory locations for freely selectable or freely createable operating programs M1, M2, etc., there are light-emitting diodes 6 which indicate by their lighting state (ON or OFF) which of the memory locations M1, M2 and M3 is selected.

This embodiment differs from the first mentioned in that by pressing the button 5, a memory location M1, M2, etc. selected with a freely programmable operating program and the last saved program composition is displayed on the screen. The selected operating program of a memory location M1, M2, etc., can be changed as in the aforementioned embodiments, in this embodiment, the change can be made by pressing the control knob 3 and the switch 7. This means that in these embodiments with the control knob 3, the fixed operating programs P1, P2, etc., so-called main programs, and with the switches 7, only the subroutines and the operating parameters are selected. Each time the operating button 7 and / or control knob 3 for entering user-specific inputs, the input for the freely programmable operating program M1, M2, etc. selected via the operating button 5 is stored immediately. Such storage only takes place if the input takes place before commissioning of an operating program.

Claims (10)

1. Program-controlled domestic appliance with a control device (1) with a display (2), a first manually actuable switch (3, 5) and a further or a plurality of further manually actuable switches (3, 7), wherein call-up, change and/or supplementing of operating programs for control of the domestic appliance is or are possible by way of the first and the further switches (3, 5, 7), and a memory function for storage of a freely creatable operating program which takes into consideration user-specific inputs and which can be selected by the first switch (3, 5), wherein the further switch or the plurality of further switches (3, 7), which is or are different from the first switch (3, 5), can be used for the user-specific inputs for compiling the freely creatable operating program (M1, M2, M3), characterised in that only before placing in operation the operating program is there effected, through actuation of the further switch or the further switches (3, 7) for the user-specific inputs for compiling, changing and/or supplementing operating programs, in addition to selection of these inputs at the same time storage of the inputs for the selected freely creatable operating program (M1, M2, M3) and that the user-specific inputs, which are undertaken during a current operating program and are applicable to further continuation of the current operating program, are not stored for the selected freely creatable operating program.
2. Program-controlled domestic appliance according to claim 1, characterised in that a freely-creatable operating program (M1, M2, M3) selected by the first switch (3, 5) is capable of change.
3. Program-controlled domestic appliance according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterised in that for actuation of the further switch or the further switches (3, 7) the user-specific inputs for compiling, changing and/or supplementing operating programs are stored without further operation of a switch for the selected freely creatable operating program (M1, M2, M3).
4. Program-controlled domestic appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that a conversion of the user-specific inputs, which are input during a current operating program, for changing and/or supplementing operating programs is provided in the case of an input without further operation of a switch.
5. Program-controlled domestic appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one memory position (M1, M2, M3) for storage of a freely creatable operating program is provided.
6. Program-controlled domestic appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that possible user-specific inputs can be represented on a display (2) through actuation of the first switch (3, 5) or through actuation of the first switch (3, 5) and one of the further switches (3, 7).
7. Program-controlled domestic appliance according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it is a laundry treatment appliance.
8. Program-controlled domestic appliance according to claim 7, characterised in that the laundry treatment appliance is a washing machine.
9. Method of compiling, changing and/or supplementing an operating program in a program-controlled domestic appliance according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein through actuation of the first switch (3, 5), which enables storage of a program, a memory position (M1, M2, etc.) for an operating program is called up and through actuation of a further switch or further switches (3, 7) an input takes place by which a compiling, changing and/or supplementing of the operating program is undertaken, wherein in the compiling, changing and/or supplementing when the further switch or switches (3, 7) is or are actuated a realisation of the input in the current operating program takes place without further operation of a switch or the storage of the input for the memory position (M1, M2, etc.) takes place without further operation of the switch, characterised in that the storage of the input takes place only in the case of an input prior to placing the operating program into operation and that the user-specific inputs, which are undertaken during the current operating program and which are applicable to further continuation of the current operating program, are not stored for the selected freely creatable operating program (M1, M2, etc.).
10. Method according to claim 9, characterised in that the compiling, changing and/or supplementing of operating programs happens or happen after actuation of the first switch (3, 5) by consecutive actuation of the further switch or of the further switches (3, 7).

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