EP2095194A1 - Operating device and method for operating a programmable household appliance - Google Patents

Abstract

Operating device of a programmable household appliance, e.g., a cooker, with adjustable control values, wherein working programmes are prespecified as a first control value, and prespecified as an additional control value is at least one programming parameter assigned to the working programme with adjustable parameter values and with a display screen (46; 246; 446; 546) in which the working programmes and the parameter values of the control values can be displayed as entries, and with operating elements (28; 228; 428; 628) by means of which the entries for the control values can be controlled and adjustedin the dialogue on the display. In order to increase the user-friendliness in particular, it is proposed that the display (46; 246; 446; 546) has a highlighted processing area (86; 426) for accepting an entry which can be adjusted in said processing area (86; 426), wherein the operating elements (28; 228; 428; 628) for processing all control values comprise a navigation device (48; 248; 448; 648) with control in at least two directions, with a selection device (52, 54; 252, 254; 452, 454; 652,654) for selecting each of the different control values by scrolling an entry for said values into the processing area (86; 426) and/or moving a highlighter over simultaneously displayed control value entries, and with an adjusting device (50; 250; 450; 650) for scrolling other entries of the selected, highlighted control value into the processing area (86; 426).

Description

 Operating device and method for operating a program-controlled household appliance

The invention relates to an operating device for a program-controlled household appliance according to the preambles of the independent claims 1, 3, 5, 8, 12 and 36 and a method according to claim 50.

As controllers with microprocessor computers become more and more efficient and cheaper, they are increasingly being used in household appliances. As a result, a large variety of functions with many adjustment options can be achieved, which are usually not needed, but should be accessible to the inexperienced user if necessary without studying the instructions for use. There is always the danger that the user is too complicated the operating system, and he uses only a minimum of the possibilities offered. A large number of actuators and possibly associated indicator lights on the shutter e.g. a stove or a washing machine is confusing and expensive. Therefore, a dialog operation with the help of a graphic screen display offers a variety of setting options to deal with. However, the known dialogue systems are unusual and time-consuming in operation and require an increased concentration compared to conventional control systems with rotary and push buttons. In the preparation of food, a quick action may be required and it is difficult here to respond quickly via a menu in the dialogue system. However, the user-friendly operability is a purchasing-critical feature and has the highest priority in the development of a useful home appliance

A problem also exists in that the height of the control panel which can be used for accommodating the display and the adjusting elements is frequently limited, for example in the case of sub-scaffolds due to a visual restriction by a kitchen worktop protruding above it. In such a dialogue operation under the table, with possibly poor light and visibility, there are particularly high demands for ease of use, especially in terms of legible, clear display content, easy-to-understand dialogue and easily understandable arranged and easily operable controls. The present application is based on the stove E 9871-4 of the company AEG. This stove has a control panel, which is divided in color in their side areas, each in a lower control range associated with a hob cooking rotary turntables and an overlying display area in which are displayed in small displays the cooking levels set with these turntables. In the middle region of the horizontal extension of the control panel, a relatively high screen display is arranged for a dialogue operation, which projects down between the cooking stage turntable and at the lower edge, deeper than the cooking stage turntable, in color in the downwardly projecting display area integrated, a series of controls arranged in the form of touch buttons. Thus, the proven and familiar optically clear structure of a control panel in a horizontally continuous adjustment area and a horizontally continuous display area, each with a constant height, broken, which is less clear. The execution of the keys as a touch switch in the area of a vertical control panel under the table is also disadvantageous. The user must first look with his eyes the right switch on the flat surface before he can operate it with his finger. So he is distracted by the ad. In the multi-line display, there are two main selection fields or main processing areas for control variables, one for oven functions or programs and the other for program parameters such as

Temperature, weight or time arranged. The programs or values contained therein are called up for display with the on-off switch or an option key and can be set via a separate navigation device in the form of a separate key pair by so-called scrolling or scrolling, these two key pairs being at different ends of the row of keys are arranged. In the case of automatic programs, in another selection field of the display next to the programs a weight indication can appear, which can be set with the same pair of keys as the other parameters in the other selection field. This is confusing and needs getting used to.

From DE 196 06 1 15 a control panel of a household appliance is known, which has two, partly numeric and partly alphanumeric graphical displays. In the first display all selectable programs are shown in plain text in a multi-line and multi-column table as the first control variable and by means of a turntable arranged underneath with a vertically displaceable marking in the Display selectable. In a second adjacently arranged display, a value of an associated parameter, eg the temperature, which can be changed by means of a pair of keys arranged under this display and can be actuated by means of a confirmation key, whereupon a next adjustable control variable or a further parameter, is proposed as a further control variable appears in this selection field or editing area. The set or confirmed parameters are displayed one above the other in a status field of the second display to the right of the selection field. This is followed by a third setting field to the right, in which microwave defrosting programs are displayed in a multi-line plain text list for selection. The selection from this plain text list is made with the key pair, which otherwise serves to change the parameter values. The selection in three very different selectable selection fields by means of two navigation devices is not easy for the user to understand. There is also limited space available for programs in the selection list in the first ad, since the font may not be too small. Furthermore, the arrangement of the controls in several rows of keys, some superimposed clutter. For example, memory programs are programmable with buttons 14 and 18 on the far right, far from the left program selector. It is also confusing that the status field with the already set parameter values in read direction after the main selection field for parameters lies between two selection fields of the same display. Also, it is not clear how to return to setting an already edited parameter without canceling the setting.

The European patent EP 0 976 862 B1 shows a washing machine with a multi-line high-screen display, on one side edge of which keys assigned to the lines are arranged, with which the program parameters displayed in the lines can be modified in a modifying manner. A correspondingly constructed washing machine LAVAMAT 1820 from AEG additionally possesses, in addition to the other side of the screen display, a turntable for vertical displacement of a marking in a list of selectable programs shown in the display. This design also has the disadvantage of a high height of the display. This would be less problematic in a washing machine per se. However, if you want to equip different devices of a device series with user-friendly similar or similar control devices, the conditions described above based on the hearth of the Fa. AEG herds with cooktop controls on the control panel of the oven must be considered. From EP 1 174 538 A2 an operating device of a washing machine is known in which a setting is made in dialogue with a display. By means of a multi-function turntable, depending on the menu context, a marking is moved vertically in a list (column 4, lines 50 to 54) or a list is rolled or a marker is moved horizontally between selection fields (column 9, line 15 to 19). , Although the display fields (gap 8, lines 15 to 20) arranged differently in each display level for the different control variables (clue 8, lines 15 to 20) may give indications of the respective type of function of the turntable, one may of such a small display, if at all in a vertical plane below a table edge is not expected too much. The user will have little patience in stooping position. So the operation remains confusing at least for the less experienced user. In addition, keys arranged below the display are assigned changing functions as the settings progress, initially serving as program memory keys and later as function keys. This, too, is confusing, even if the display arranged very close above displays pointers to the key mapping. A built according to this application, quite multi-part display must be relatively high, if the font or the symbols should still be easy and quick to read without too much hinbückt or the device must be installed with the control panel in face height.

EP 1 278 016 A2 and the kitchen stove H4540 from Messrs. Miele show a dialog operating device similar to that of EP 1 174 538 A2, for which essentially what has been said above for the latter applies. Moreover, it is proposed there to associate the operating elements of the dialog operating device with the display area, while the cooking stage turntables are arranged outside this area. Fig. 1 of this application shows a centrally located between the right and left of it, arranged at different heights cooking stages-turntable display and close below, low-lying, spaced from each other controls the Bedienvorrich- device. For this purpose, the above applies to the stove E 9871-4 AEG said.

From EP 1 174 538 A3 already discussed above, it is also known to make individual programs accessible by means of five keys located under a display. The disadvantage here is that, as already described above, the keys subsequently have other functions in the dialog method. A long list of other available programs can be accessed as a submenu by selecting and selecting the term "program selection" in the display, however program selection via submenus for quick operation in the kitchen, eg when guests are expected and the housewife is nervous, inconvenient and if possible to avoid.

It is also known from washing machines of various manufacturers, in addition to a setting of control variables by means of a dialogue operation to set additional control variables via keys. This has the disadvantage of increased number of keys. Furthermore, this has the significant and some users some confusing disadvantage that, depending on the selected program type, each of the buttons must each be inoperative. In the present case, on the other hand, only the sensibly adjustable control variables are displayed.

The entrance described stove E 9871-4 of the company AEG calls with the activation of a large list of available work programs, which are then scrollable through a window of the display and shows in a submenu further work programs. This requires long scrolling when searching for a more specialized program.

In the case of the H4540 stove from Miele, a long list of programs is displayed in a relatively high display, in which a cursor is selected.

The invention has for its object to avoid or mitigate disadvantages of the prior art and in particular to increase the ease of use.

This object is achieved by the feature combinations of the independent claims 1, 3, 5, 8, 12, 36 and the method according to claim 50. These solutions are characterized by their simplicity and efficiency. The operating system is easy to learn, especially because of its consistently largely uniform concept and easy to detect with optical and tactile user guidance and therefore fast and safe to use. The display content is simple and clear and allows, with a relatively large character size and good readability, a relatively small and above all low screen display. This in turn gives design freedom and allows a clear integration into the overall concept of a control panel with a clear, tidy structure and a good, clear placement and assignment of the controls especially for under-equipment for installation under a kitchen worktop. The operation becomes clearer and more convenient. The overall arrangement is a powerful, simple, adapted to the circumstances of household appliances, especially sub-assemblies dialogue system that addresses the user through clarity, clarity, simplicity and beauty and animated for use.

The solution according to claim 1 is characterized by its uniformity in that an operating element or a function of a multifunction operating element with an effect that always remains constant or at least visually consistent can act on all entries in the display. This is simple and memorable for the user and not known from the previously known devices and patent applications for dialog operations in household appliances. Avoiding different triggered by a control function movements or actions in the display makes the operation clearer, faster understandable and thus safer.

Claims 1 to 3: Two change operating elements acting in opposite directions can also be combined to form a rocker switch or a turntable rotatable in two directions, which can also act as a drive device in a third direction by being simultaneously tiltable as a pushbutton. The latter is known from flocks of the Fa. Miele. It is important here that each function of such a multifunction control always maintains the same effect, in particular on the movements in the display and also no two navigation devices for different control variables are available as in the stove E9871-4 of AEG.

It is important that all control variables are controllable uniformly with a control operating element or a directional function of a navigation device, as far as they are not addressed with the call of a group of control variables as their first entry already in their appearance in the display and immediately changeable. Preferably, each first control variable entry is automatically controlled and each second and further control variable entry can be controlled by means of the control device. With the directional control function acting in the reverse direction, all entries of the groups that have already been processed or left can also be redirected. It is each to prefer a separate directional control, because it emphasizes the directional component of the control or navigation to the right or left, up or down to the, from the mark there standing entries, which makes the operation obvious. The preview of the control variables pending for processing in addition to the respectively controlled or in a processing area control variable facilitates the operation. You can see what might still be set. The different controllable control variables can be arranged side by side or one below the other. Expediently, a four-way navigation device with four directional functions is used, two of which are in opposite directions. It is always possible to go back and correct without having to scroll all the entries in the cycle. The four-way navigation facilitates operation.

The navigation takes place in a three-dimensional conceivable table with stepped control variable entries or parameter values permitted for the selected program as branches or chains in the third dimension. In a display with a preview to, the controlled entry adjacent entries of the control variable of the entries branch of each controlled tax variable is tilted in the display level and displayed in sections. Rolls or sheets are understood to mean the pushing through of such a rectangle by the display, whereby depending on the design of the display, only one entry is shown as a visible section or two or more entries are displayed with preview and in the display as well as into it or wander out of it.

In the simplest case, the device or operating device has only one, all work programs comprehensive set of user-adjustable control variables, e.g. immediately after switching on the device is called to display and possibly additionally a default settings control group. The on-off control can be a preselection control in this case at the same time. However, for a quick and easy operation, a division into several groups is advantageous (cf claims 5 to 7).

The solution according to claim 2 relates to all display designs and dialog configurations shown in the embodiments with the preview and the control in the horizontal direction of the various control variables in the display. This allows light is the horizontally stretched, relatively low display, which fits in well with the overall technical and design sense of the overall concept of the operating device and the devices and allows large, easy-to-read entries. The processing of the various control variables in a processing series or only one processing area is convenient for the user. He does not have to search where else parameters are set.

Claim 3 (see in particular Figures 4-1 1 and 24-28) relates to a preferred embodiment, in which all entries in a, substantially stationary region of the display ge backwards and editable there, which makes the operation pleasant and fast. The first control variable of a group of control variables called up for display, which may be a program or a parameter assigned to a program, is already activated in the selected processing area with the call.

Preferably, the operation is carried out after a program start according to the changed to the start time entries and as far as displayed, adjustable and other control variables were not edited in the operating phase, in substitution according to the operating device for proposed entries or values. Thus, not all or even no control variables need to be controlled and processed, if one takes over the suggestions of the operating device. The start preferably takes place by actuation of a start button, but can also take place automatically, e.g. if after a setting step there was no operation for a certain time. Important for a quick information about the operating state of the device is that the display is in operation after program start, e.g. characterized by at least partial color inversions, significantly different than in the operating phase. The main parameter e.g. the working temperature preferably remains always, even in working mode, displayed and is controlled with the start and expediently, except possibly in automatic programs, at any time changeable. The timing variables are only effective when the user has changed them from their default value "0", whereby the operating device can still check the meaning of the setting and possibly give an error message have been edited in the ad, at least represented as icons.

The proposed in claim 5 entry into the dialogue operation by means of program group preselection controls has the advantage of a great sense of responsibility for the Users as an introduction to two "different worlds" and shortens the lists of each adjustable work programs, which improves the clarity and makes the operation easier and, above all, faster.A shortening of lists in known devices in part by a hierarchical selection structure with program lists in submenus Program selection via submenus is inconvenient and should be avoided if possible, especially when operating on an under-bench unit under the edge of the table, in poor light and visibility The work programs of the different groups differ in their approach, preferably by machine orientation or problem orientation or in the type of the main parameter, eg an oven has machine-oriented heating mode programs with the operating stems temperature as a main parameter and problem-oriented automatic programs with the type and weight of the food as the main parameter and a washing machine textile type programs with the washing temperature as the main parameter and pollution type programs. In the case of automatic programs, for example, the type of food to be cooked, its weight and its desired final state are entered into the oven and it is left to the oven to choose suitable temperatures and cooking times for this purpose.

Furthermore, a further division according to claim 6 is appropriate. Thus, by calling one of the pre-selection groups, preferably only the more important main control variables assigned to a selected work program are initially accessible. A group of other less important or less frequently used additional control variables also associated with this work program can be called up for display with a supplementary control variable control element for a previously called work program, in which case a further additional control variable group can be provided in addition to a time control group, preferably all others left by the user adjustable control variables includes to avoid individual control variables controls. For a washing machine are main control variables such as the washing temperature and the spin speed and possibly "prewash on / off" and additional control variables eg final spin on / off "," crease protection on / off "and" buzzer on / off. "Another group of this type are the green - Settings control values, which can also be called up with a separate control element.The time settings contain a short-term alarm clock, which can also be used independently of the operation of the device, and are therefore independent of any previous selection This is also the case for the group of basic settings, which, among other things, contains the "Time of day setting" control variable.The additional control variables preferentially displace the entries of the program and the main parameters into a status area of the display Each control group is expediently consistently processed in dialog mode by means of on-demand control and modification by means of the navigation device, whereby the operation is easy to learn and execute.

The division into the group of main and additional parameters is psychologically very important for ease of use. It provides the inexperienced user with a selection guide so as not to overwhelm him and leaves all possibilities open to the experienced user. Here is to think fast, stressful kitchen operation. The limit of this division is not sharp, but to draw for convenience for the device type. It is known from washing machines of various manufacturers, in addition to the setting of control variables by means of a dialog control additional control variables via buttons set. However, apart from the disadvantage of the increased number of keys, this has the significant and somewhat confusing disadvantage for the user that, depending on the selected program type, each of the keys must be inoperative in each case. In the present case, on the other hand, only the sensibly adjustable control variables are displayed. With the time control variables, which can not be freely combined, the setting of one size can then delete other meaningful ones from the group.

The additional control variables and the time control variables are preferably not appended to the series of main control variables in their call for presentation but occupy the processing series and displace the main control variables including the name of the selected program in a status area of the display, so that as many of the additional control variables clearly in find space for the ad. When the additional control quantity preselection control element is pressed again, the state that existed before the connection was restored while the additional settings were displayed in the status series or at least indicated by a symbol. To claim 8: For a quick, safe operation, the design of the control panel of the control device containing household appliance is of great importance. This is especially true for cookers, which also contain controls for a hob in addition to a control device for an oven. The claims 8 to 13 relate to the appropriate integration of the operating device in a control panel, taking into account, in particular, that the user can remain with the eyes as possible in the operations in the display and therefore the control panel is designed so that they more or less can be operated blindly. By placing the control panel at a preferably distinct distance, below the display, it is avoided that the user's fingers interfere with rapid optical pick-up of the display contents due to occlusion or close movement. The arrangement of the cooking level adjusters at the same height in the operating area facilitates quick orientation and operation.

In the display, the row-like horizontally juxtaposed entries of the control variables can be arranged with the importance of the control variables decreasing in the reading direction and, with normal operating progress, as required, in the reading direction can be controlled one after the other. Furthermore, the controls of the row-like horizontal control element row can be arranged at least until including the navigation device according to a, usually occurring in normal operations temporal operating sequence and depending on the operating case selected controls to operate sequentially in reading direction, the row preferably left with the A / Off switch starts, and can end on the right with a startup control. These parallels and similarities bring uniformity and sense of purpose into the concept and make the operation comfortable.

Different devices of a cross-product device series of a manufacturer such as stoves, washing machines, dishwashers have to standardize, which in turn simplifies the usability of the various devices, a corresponding, identical or similar arrangement of the display and controls series. The organization of the entries in the display proposed here permits a horizontal display, in particular horizontally stretched, to facilitate such integration, bearing in mind that the view of the control panel is restricted by the work surface projecting above it, and therefore the upper ones Areas of the control panel are not suitable for housing the display if the user should not stoop too much in the operation. The display area and the operating area are preferably designed in terms of color, for example, in color.

The navigation device has a drive device and a change device, which each have a directional function or two opposite directional functions and are spatially combined to form a control element group or a multifunction control element having at least two, preferably four, adjustment directions. The series of controls advantageously extends horizontally under the display, wherein the navigation device is preferably arranged approximately centrally under the display and can be arranged as a central element approximately in the middle of a row of control elements and preferably distinguishable from the other controls. In this case, serve as a change means a turntable, which is preferably rotatable in both directions of rotation for vertically pushing a mark over several rows or roles mehrer programs or parameter values "across, for example. vertically "by means of a vertically fixed row of processing, in each case in two directions.With the turntable the user has something palpable in his hand, to which he can hold on and which gives spatial orientation above all to the other operating elements and the display Alternatively, the change device can also have two control elements arranged above one another, preferably non-latching buttons or a feeler rocker switch with a horizontal axis, eg in the form of a circular disc for recognizability of the change device, corresponding to the front face of the turntable of another device of a series adapted to one another in terms of design from appliances such as dishwashers, ovens or washing machines or in the case of a stove according to a rotary knob of a hob control of this cooker The switch pad easily protrudes slightly beyond the control panel and preferably also the other control elements and can be felt on the basis of their shape dia- meter touchable.

As a control device advantageously serve a right next to the change device and preferably also a left next thereto arranged directional control that can be designed as a non-detent direction key, expediently between the directional button and the adjacent button of the control panel a sensible and visible small distance greater than the distance between the other controls of the row. In the present case, rather, entries or a movable marker in the display, the navigation keys are more obvious for navigation to the right and left and fit better into the overall concept than a simple confirmation key.

The control element row summarizes, according to a preferred embodiment, all operating elements of the operating device including the on-off operating element. In the case of a stove with control of an associated hob from the control panel of the oven, this is true for the operating device of the oven in which the device on / off switch is integrated. The cooking level adjusters are not integrated into the operating element row of the operating device but laterally and at a height therewith, each arranged separately for itself. The navigation device is preferably arranged approximately centrally under the display and can be arranged as a central element approximately in the middle of a row of control elements and preferably distinguishable from the other controls. In this organization, the user, who presumably follows his or her fingers to the on / off switch at the beginning of the operation, is guided on the left outside of the on / off switch to the navigation device and the display above it. This applies in particular to the arrangement of the operating elements described above in relation to claim 11 in the most prevalent temporal operating sequence and in the reading direction of progressive operation. This is a not unimportant contribution to the various measures of user guidance, which make the operation more sympathetic and counteract impatience and hectic cramping in the fast kitchen operation and thus make the operation more pleasant and faster. By arranging the control panel at a preferably distinct distance, below the display, the user's fingers are prevented from interfering with rapid visual detection of the display content by occlusion or near-motion.

The controls of the series next to the changing device of the navigation device are advantageously distinguishable from a control surface in or on which they are arranged, wherein formed like a keyboard or inserted into gaps in a rib of the control surface form a, the user's finger leading, substantially closed row , They are preferably shaped or held or arranged at small intervals so that they can be felt individually, blindly. The operating elements preferably project slightly over the operating surface, but can also run in a trough-shaped groove guiding the user's finger. kung the control surface to be arranged. Furthermore, the controls can also be designed as arranged behind the panel touch switch, which respond to touches of the aperture surface in their area. For haptic user guidance, a guide rib profiled to identify the keys is expediently fastened or raised on the diaphragm surface in this case. The key areas can also be marked by raised symbols, for example, printed on for blind operation, which, moreover, can also be used on or next to other operating elements. Due to the special design of the series, the operation is facilitated by fast, blind, haptic orientation. This is important because the user must keep an eye on the display for fast operation. Beginning and end of the series are tactile and the intervening controls such as buttons due to the systematic arrangement and the other tactile navigation device easily findable and blind operated for the experienced user. The paths to be covered by the user's fingers during the operating phase are pleasantly short.

A significant reassurance of the user and thus operator safety assumes that all controls always the same function as program group call or control of the control variables in one direction or the same multiple functions as changing in two opposing directions, Zusatzsteuergrößen- and Zeitsteuergrößen call and Retain, Device On-Off or Key-Lock On-Off or Start-Pause retained.

The operating elements, preferably to the left of the navigation device, comprise at least one preselection operating element for calling up a predetermined program group for display in the display as an adjustable control variable. In this case, the device on-off control element can simultaneously serve as one of at least two preselection controls and call one of at least two program groups when switching on, wherein the user can preferably select in the basic settings which. As a result, an operating step is saved in many cases. Furthermore, the controls, preferably left of the navigation device at least one other program group preset control element for calling a memory program group stored by the user, finished programs include and / or an operating element for calling a special program, such as a device cleaning program. Further, the controls may include at least one additional control variable control element, preferably arranged to the right of the navigation device, with which, after activation or selection of a program, a group is not always necessarily set, usually less important, additional control variables such as the time control variable group the control variables duration, start, end and short-term alarm clock can be called up in the display for setting.

As with the stove H4540 from Messrs. Miele, it is possible to get along with two or even a single operating element in a dialog operation. This is elegant, but makes the device a bit dismissive and makes it difficult for many users to operate, which then largely via submenus in dialogue. The proposed combination of the navigation device with a few deliberately deliberately used selector switches makes the operation more pleasant, faster and safer.

The navigation device may have a light indicator which lights up when it is possible to adjust it and the e.g. has a light ring around the turntable. In this case, it may have associated with the control elements of the control device luminous directional arrows, which preferably indicate by their illumination on the possible actuating directions.

The control elements not belonging to the navigation device expediently each have a light display which lights up after actuation of the respective control element to show where one stands, wherein the light displays preferably form a substantially closed beam over the row of control elements. The light color is according to a preferred embodiment, a medium to bright blue, which on the one hand soothing and clear, but also stimulating effect. This light color promotes the aesthetic beauty of the operating device and makes it sympathetic and agrees the user positively in the approach to the habituungsbedüftige dialogue operation. The light display of the navigation device may differ from that of the other controls and e.g. be slightly pulsating or have a different light color to indicate the different function of the light in the two cases, once as a ready indicator and the other as a status indicator.

The series of processing in the display is preferably substantially in height stationary and the controlled control variable can be changed by vertically scrolling their various entries into the processing series. A stationary machining series facilitates orientation for the user. In this direction also acts that the display according to a preferred embodiment, to make their contents clearer, in the operating phase by lines and / or shading and / or inverse representation in the entries receiving areas is divided to adapt to changing sizes or Lengths of the entries are preferably flexible in their size, in particular in their horizontal extent.

The processing area expediently forms a horizontal processing row with a control variable preview area arranged next to it, wherein in the preview area, a value of the next controllable parameter or values of several parameters are juxtaposed as entry or entries. Furthermore, the display above and / or below the processing row can have a change preview series or above and / or below the processing area a change preview area in which there is a possible further selectable entry of the controlled control variable. The preview areas give the user hints about what he can do next and thus facilitate the operation. It is expedient to show a change preview for the sake of uniformity for all control variables, even if it is only necessary to choose between two entries such as ON and OFF, but for the sake of clarity, always only for the respectively controlled control variable.

According to a preferred embodiment, the entries of the respective control variables which can be set in the dialog are lined up in a flow-text-like manner in the preferably one-line processing series and can preferably flow along the processing series. Conveniently, the entries from the processing series or the display and preferably also flow back into this. Body text is defined in Wikipedia as follows: "as body text one designates in the written statement text, which is continued in one piece without interruption by paragraphs or headings. The text "flows" from one filled line to the next, the line break results from the available type area width and not from content or design aspects ". At www.at-mix.de it says: "Continuously entered text without fixed classification. The word processing programs allow the text to "flow" like a string of pearls, redistributing the words as needed, and the text "flows" only within certain limits. " In the case of the present operating device, the space occupied by the entries in the processing row is preferably measured flexibly according to their length. If due to lack of space in the processing row are not yet displayed additional control variables in a memory of the operating device, you can view the transition from memory to the processing line as a line break. In the case of a line break from the processing series into the status series, a conversion into symbols is sometimes carried out in abbreviation in order to accommodate more. Each entry, preferably in plain text and preferably with dimensions such as degrees Celsius or rev / min for self-explanatory labeling gets the place he needs, preferably in standardized lengths, for example, occupy a maximum of half or a third or a quarter of the width of the display. Most of the time you will choose slightly larger distances between the entries than in a normal text, so that the entries are easier to distinguish between each other or so that they are more easily distinguishable. The font size is preferably uniform in the processing series. The marking eg in the form of a

Frame or a contrasting area is preferably flexible in size to accommodate different length entries. Under certain circumstances, it may also be expedient to display the entries in the processing series not in a single line, but in two lines, with the result that more control variables are placed side by side in the display. However, even a single entry can be made in two lines if it is particularly long (see Fig. 11). Any two-line entries flow as two-line blocks. If not all entries fit into the mostly one line row, then the missing ones must be rolled out of the memory into the display. According to a modified embodiment with activation by means of a moving marking, the first control variable "programs" always remains in its place in the processing row during the operating phase, while all other control variables next to it are horizontally rollable.

Overflowed entries that have preferably flowed out of the processing series on the left can be placed in a horizontal status sequence lying below or preferably above the processing series, at least partially abbreviating them or turning them into symbols indicating that the corresponding control variable has been processed or at least activated or marked for editing, which facilitates the overview of the respective setting state. Time control quantities are only displayed if they have been set. Symbols are preferably displayed right-justified and in their area the dividing line of the status area to make them more space and not to disturb their quick readability. Text entries are expediently displayed left justified.

The entries of the control variables arranged next to one another in the processing sequence can be arranged with decreasing importance of the control variables in the reading direction and can be actuated one after the other with normal operating progress in the reading direction, which saves a long search for important parameters. Preferably, the main parameter is e.g. the working temperature or e.g. in the case of automatic programs, the parameters to which the user possibly still still has change requests during operation are always displayed and preferably always activated even after the start and can be adjusted at any time immediately with the change device.

The display can also display changing and animated symbolic indications of operating options, e.g. Represent direction arrows or pointing to the change means arrow circle symbol and point in a lateral, preferably right portion of the editing area by a circular arrow symbol on the turntable of the navigation device as a change device. The directional arrows can be displayed in a halftone screen. This allows for an indication of the next possible adjustment steps, e.g. a highlight by changing the contrast, which can also be flashing. The entries are expediently, eg by the addition of a dimension specification at least in the processing series, self-explanatory and the display or its mask or division, as a more or less fixed component, except possibly symbolic references to controls and possibly the time otherwise preferably no text or Dimensions on.

In the operating phase, in the status series action instructions or temporarily, help information can be displayed instead of or in addition to the control variable entries and possibly also the time otherwise present there, e.g. if the user hesitates during operation. An information control element can also be used to call up more extensive information that can fill the entire display.

The display may preferably in the status series after the program start, in the case of a given or set working time represent the temporal progress in a progress bar and possibly after the program start in plain text or by icons indicate which working phase eg heating is in progress. Furthermore, If the entries to be displayed do not all fit together in the status series, groups of entries in the brief change, for example, each about 4 seconds are displayed.

The independent, sibling, claims 1, 3, 5, 8, 12 and 36 can be combined differently with each other and for the claims 1 to 7, 1 1 and 33 to 48, the genus method is additionally claimed, the relationships of the claims to each other and the combination possibilities of the method claims remain unchanged or correspond to the device claims. These device claims are in themselves very functional, procedurally formulated.

The terminology used in this application is predominantly colloquial and uses only in exceptional cases and possibly random technical terms of computer science, which should therefore not be seen in the present context too narrow. The visual representations and processes or apparent processes on the graphical user interface, the display are described, which can be effected electronically and programmatically in various ways. The present application is based on usually vertically extending control panels, but control panels are e.g. in top-loading washing machines also diagonally or horizontally and could otherwise be arranged on a remote control. In this case, as used herein, the terms used herein are to be translated above and below in the back and front and a vertical extent as an extension to or away from the user. The term "edit an entry" means to control this entry and accept or change the term "setting" is the driving and changing of subscriptions subsumed. The "change" includes not only changing preset entry values suggested by the operator, but also, for example, in the time settings, inputting a value of 0. Moving a marker may be done by jumping to the accessed entry and also while scrolling or "Flowing" can jump the entries.

Operating methods or operating devices according to the present application can be used not only in ovens, ovens or washing machines, but in dishwashers, fryers, coffee machines, microwave ovens and other household appliances. It is expedient that the same operating concept with the same control elements as far as possible across different design together To use adapted devices of a series of devices of a manufacturer, since the owner of several such devices then knows the operating concept and easier to operate with the various devices. In this case, modifications may be expedient for the sake of simplicity or cost reasons. For example, in the case of a dishwasher that has a few programs, the display may be lower, one-line and without a status sequence. Furthermore, instead of a turntable of the navigation device, a cost-effective rocker switch (450) can be used, which is arranged for functional recognition in the same way as the turntable in other devices of the same device series centrally in a control row and frontally seen a circular shape as the turntable (50 and 250th ) owns. This switching rocker (450), which serves as another or vertical device, can also be raised slightly above the remaining buttons of the control element row in order to provide the user with a tactile, haptic orientation on the operating device beyond that of the other buttons give.

In the following the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to schematic drawings of exemplary embodiments.

It shows:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a household Unterbauherd with a hob in the installed state under a kitchen worktop.

2 shows an enlarged view of a top view of a section of the control panel of the stove with a row of control elements;

3 further enlarged, a detail of a section substantially along the line III-III in Figure 2;

Figures 4 to 7 representations at different operating states on a arranged in the control panel of the cooker according to Figures 1 to 3 screen display;

8 to 1 1 representations at different operating conditions on a arranged in the control panel of the cooker screen display according to a modified operating device with an additional Schnellaufheiz button;

12 to 16 representations of various operating states on a screen display according to a further modified embodiment of the operating device;

17 is a fragmentary front view of a household washing machine;

FIGS. 18 to 22 representations of various operating states on a screen display arranged in the control panel of the washing machine according to FIG. 17;

FIG. 23 shows a control element series of a modified embodiment of a washing machine; FIG.

FIGS. 24 to 28 representations of various operating states on a screen display of the modified washing machine arranged in the control panel according to FIG. 23;

FIG. 29 a detail of an operating area of the control panel of a dishwasher with a modified embodiment of the control panel row; FIG.

30 shows a section substantially along the line XXX-XXX in FIG. 29.

The household base 12 shown in Figures 1 to 1 1 has a baking oven 14, which is installed under a cut shown kitchen worktop 16 and an associated hob 18, the deck is inserted into a section of the worktop 16. The oven 14 has a control panel 22 extending over its entire width between a lower oven door 20 and the worktop 16. The latter is subdivided into an upper display area 24 and a lower operating area 26, each of which has the same height over the entire width extend the oven 14 and preferably differ in color for orientation of the user in its surface. The operating area 26 has in the middle region of its width extension and average height a horizontal control element row 28 and right and left thereof distributed at the same height four cooking stage turntable 30 to 36 for operating the hob 18. About the turntables 30 to 36 are in the display area 24 four cooking level displays 38 to 44 arranged. Between the latter, a display 46 of the oven is centrally located above the center of the control panel 28. The display 46 is a screen display or a fully graphic dot matrix display.

The control element row 28 and the display 46 are components of an operating device of a computerized control of the oven 14 with a plurality of adjustable control variables, eg program groups or lists of selectable work programs and respectively program parameters associated with the programs, with which the user requires one for the respective operation Operating program is adjustable. For this purpose, the control element row 28, which is shown in greater size in FIG. 2, has a four-way navigation device 48 in its center and in the middle of the display 46 with a central turntable 50 which forms a change device in the form of a two-way vertical adjusting device and can be rotated freely to the right and left is, whereby entries of the control variables shown in the display 46 are vertically scrollable. The turntable has a slightly curved outward front surface 51. As a control device in the form of a horizontal adjusting device serve a left directional key 52 and a right directional key 54, which are arranged on the left and right of the turntable 50 on a horizontal axis crossing its axis of rotation and the Navi - gation to the left and to the right. This is followed by a horizontal row of lower horizontally stretched, adjacent keys to the right and left, which begin for easy removal of the navigation device in a small distance or a gap 74 and 76 from the direction keys 52 and 54. The left-hand row begins with an on / off button 56. This is followed by a program group preselection button 58, with a control variables preselection group with work programs with conventional Heizart modes such as top / bottom heat, top or bottom heat alone and hot air for Representation and selection in the display 46 can be called, whose main parameter is the operating temperature. With the next program group preselection button 60, a control variable group with automatic programs are called, in which then the type of food, whose weight is asked as the main parameter, desired final state and possibly other information, whereupon the control automatically the type of heating, the operating temperature and the Operating time determined. The next program group pre-selection key 62 inward invokes a list of programs that the user has set and saved according to his needs. Notwithstanding the illustrated embodiment could be present in this left-hand row another key with which a self-cleaning program, eg with pyrolysis can be selected. The key-wings projecting horizontally from the turntable are symmetrically the same length and with the same number of keys for easier orientation.

The right-hand row of keys begins with a basic setting key 64 with which a group of further control variables such as speech, time of day, signal volume, screen brightness, etc. can be called up for setting in the display 46 and can be switched off by pressing the key again. This is followed by a lock button 66, with which the entire control menu series can be disabled or made ineffective and can be unlocked again by pressing the button again. Right next to it is a time button 68 with the additional, not always necessary to be set timing control variables duration, beginning, end and short-term alarm callable in the display and by pressing the button again are reset. The row closes with a start / pause button 70. In contrast to the illustration, the right row of buttons can be equipped with an additional quick-heat button. All these controls of the control panel 28 are essentially occupied from left to right, as they are needed in normal operation in the setting in chronological order, of course, as needed, individual keys are skipped.

Arranged in the illustration of Figure 2 under the control panel 28 arrows and numbers in circles indicate that the device firstly turned on with the leftmost control 56 and secondly set with the following controls and thirdly started with the rightmost control 70. All keys of the control panel 28 are arranged horizontally horizontally stretched as two groups of keyboards, with non-latching short-stroke keys that rise tangibly slightly above the front face 72 of the control panel 22 and are shaped or held so that the transition of the finger from one key to the next is noticeable.

Above the left row of keys, which adjoins with a small distance 74 to the left direction key 52, a light bar 78 is arranged, consisting of individual, low, each extending over the entire width of the key light indicators that light up when the corresponding key was pressed. Likewise, the right-hand row of keys adjoining the right-hand direction key 54 with a small distance 76 has one of these light bars 78. The light color is blue. The navigation device 46 has the direction keys 52 and 54 light arrows 53 and 55 and a turntable 50 surrounding light ring 84, which light up when settings can be made with the navigation device. The function of the light indicators of the left and right row of keys and the navigation device are therefore different, which can also be indicated by a different light color. Furthermore, the effect

Light arrows 53 and 55 together with the dialogue control and show by their illumination in which directions a setting is vornehmbar.

Turntable 50 is substantially circular cylindrical and projects well beyond the key row and direction keys 52 and 54 and is e.g. Retractable for cleaning purposes. Its front surface is slightly convex, slightly arched towards the middle. The spatial design of the control element row 28 gives the user a haptic guidance during operation. Thus, on the left-hand side, he can easily feel the slightly protruding first switch-on button 56, which, by the way, according to a modification, can also call up a preselection program group for display. This program group can be determinable by the user by means of the basic setting control variables, and e.g. include the default heaters or the user-specified storage programs. The finger can then, sliding along the slightly projecting rows of keys, blind find the navigation device 46, where he abuts on the projecting Drehstel- ler 50, with which he then makes adjustments in the distance directly above the display 46. Also, the start button 70 is easy to feel as the end of the series again. These sensibilities are important because the user should stay with the display 46 for quick action with the eyes as far as possible and particularly important in the arrangement of an operating device on an underbody device in the low position under a table edge.

4 shows the representations in the display 46 after pressing the program group button 58 to call the programs by heating modes. The display 56 is in the Einstellbzw. Operating phase divided into a lower, left processing area 86, which occupies almost three quarters of the height of the display 46 and whose width is variable. Through this processing area 86, a horizontal processing row 88 extends over the entire width of the displays 46, in which control variable entries, ie list contents and parameter values of the control variables, can be displayed. This processing series 88 may, as in the case of FIGS. 10 and 11, also be shown once in two lines for operation after start-up, if the desired information is not to be stored in a single line. are. The right edge region of the processing area 86 is designed as a hint section 90, with directional arrows up and down and a circular arrow symbol that flashes to indicate that here with the turntable 50, a setting is vornehmbar. The arrow symbols indicate by brighter or darker or flashing, in which direction a change is possible, that is, in which direction a rolling of the entries of the standing in the processing area 86 control variable by means of the turntable 50 can take place. To the right of the processing area 86 is a preview area 92, through which also the processing row 88 extends and as an entry a suggestion value of a parameter is supplemented by a designation eg a unit of measure, such as degrees Celsius. Furthermore, the processing series 88 to the left thereof, in the preview area, contains a right-pointing arrow 96, which indicates that a right-hand navigation key 54 can be used to navigate to the right and the control variable in the preview area 92 can be actuated for adjustment. Another directional arrow 98 to the right indicates that at least one further control variable is ready for adjustment in the memory and can be rolled into the display 46 by means of the direction key 54. Above the processing area 86 and the preview area 92 is a status area 100 occupying the remaining height and the entire width of the display, with a status row 102 whose characters are slightly smaller than those of the processing row 88. The representation takes place in the preview area 92 and in the status area 100 with light characters on a dark background while the processing area 86 has inverse dark representations on a light background, whereby it is highlighted to indicate that the value of a control quantity currently in this area is marked and adjustable by means of the turntable 50. The status area 100, which can show the time, help texts and settings, is separated by a dividing line 101 from the lower areas that serve the setting.

The display content of the display 46 in Fig. 4 appears after pressing the program group pre-selection key 58, which calls up a corresponding main control group which contains only a more important part of the adjustable control variables. "Heating" here is the first control variable in the form of a program list, the first program "upper / lower heat" after pressing the code button 58 appears in the editing area 86. If the user does not do anything for a few seconds, the help text "[T] displays additional types of heating with rotary selector ..." in the status series 102. At the same time, the lower directional arrow 102 in the notification compartment 90 of the processing area 86 is animated to indicate that it is is the first entry in the list and an adjustment only by Rolling up in this case can be done by turning the turntable 50 counterclockwise. This is shown in Fig.5.

6 shows the situation after scrolling of the second list value "3D hot air" of the control-large "heating modes" in the processing area 86. If the user wants to use this program, he could now immediately by pressing the Start / Pause button 70 start. However, it may also follow the left arrow 96 in the preview area 92 and press the right direction key 54. In this way, it rolls the proposed parameter value "200 ° C" in the preview area together with the unit of measure to the left into the processing area 86 (FIG. 7), whereby the first control variable "3D hot air" flows down into the status area 102 in the status area 100 and to the left of the processing area 86, a narrow dark reference field 107 appears with a directional arrow 103 in the processing row 88, which points to the left and indicates that with the left directional key 52, the first control variable is also rollable back into the processing area 86, if the user still wants to make a change in the type of heating. As shown in FIG. 7, the option "options" has been rolled into the preview area 92, which says that additional control variables can be called up in the display 46, in the present case by means of the time key 68, time control variables such as duration, start time, end and short-term alarm clock or according to a modified embodiment with a Zusatzsteuergrößen- or options button of the right row of keys between the right directional key 54 and the start button 70 not shown here further an additional group of additional control variables eg when using a Speisethermometers the core temperature at which the oven is to turn off However, in a modification of the illustrated embodiment, the entry "Options" is preferably omitted and the preview area is left blank since it is not a control variable but an indication and thus breaks the uniformity of the system which is particularly important for ease of operation. The same applies to the further alternative possibility of controlling the entry "Options" in the display to control the additional tax group size and thus to call.

Figures 8 and 9 show other examples of setting using a slightly different embodiment of the operating device, not shown here, with a modified series of control elements, which has an additional rapid heating button on the right of the navigation device. The same reference numbers are used here for the same parts as in FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG. 8 shows the illustration in the display 46 After pressing the time key 68. It has proceeded as can be read from the entries of the display 46, in this case, after switching on a selection of the preset program group "automatic programs" by pressing the corresponding program button group 60. Subsequently, by means of the turntable 50, the program "Squid Rings Breaded, Chopped and Deep Frozen" are rolled into the processing area 86 as a blocked two-line entry, not shown in the present figures. Further, by pressing the right arrow key 76, the next parameter, in this case the weight, has been rolled out of the preview area 92 into the processing area 86. The weight may have been changed or left unchanged by turning the turntable. By pressing on the non-existent in Fig.2 Schnellaufheiz button right of the navigation device then this single additional control variable was also set or selected this function, which is documented in the top right corner in the status row by the wave symbol 104. Then, by pressing the time key 68, the time functions were called, which contains several parameters such as timer or short-time timer, start time, finished time and duration. The program information "squid rings iced" and the weight parameter value "0.8 kg" were moved with the various setting steps up to status 102, whereby the program name was abbreviated. The first parameter "Timer: 0 min" (short-term alarm clock) now in the editing area after calling the time functions is presumably not required and can be indicated by the arrow 96 in the preview area 92 by pressing the direction key 54 to the now in the preview area 92 Parameter "start time" continue, whereby this parameter is moved to the processing area 86 to the left, which is not shown here. Subsequently, by turning the turntable 50, a start time can be set. Duration and finish time are not set in this case, since they are then specified by the program automatic. The control variable "Duration" is not displayed and the control variable "Finished time" expires as soon as the start time is set.

9 shows the representation in the display 46 after pressing the on-off button 56 and then the program group preselection button 58, "Heizartenprogramme" and selecting the control size or the program "upper / lower heat spec." and further changing or confirming a temperature setting to "200 ° C" and pressing the time group set-up time key 68. The time-out quantities thereby displace all the entries previously in the series-of-series processing 88 into the status series With this conventional program, there is no predetermined running time so that you can now can either set the timer or short-term alarm clock and / or continue and by simply or repeatedly pressing the right direction button 54, the next control variables "start time" and / or "end" and / or "duration" control and set and then start the program It is possible to combine the duration with a start time setting or end time setting, whereby the device is then automatically started at a later time.These timing parameters give the unit of measure "min" several times, so it is not just labeling is sufficient and for unambiguous identification further terms such as "timer" or "start time" accompany the value of the parameter. In the control variable preview, the non-meaningful dimension "min" and in this case also the value "0", from which the setting is made, are suppressed in order to increase the clarity.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show the illustrations in the display after the start, wherein the division of the display is conspicuously different for a clear distinction from the setting phase. Instead of the previous editing area and the preview area, there is now a large two-line continuous display and setting panel 105 of equal height across the full width of the display 46 in which the selected program and main parameter, in this case the selected or confirmed temperature, are displayed in two lines of text be, with the temperature controlled as the first parameter and remains changeable, whereupon the circle-arrow symbol behind 106 indicates that here in contrast to the adjustment phase is not animated, since it does not prompt for a change, but only display the changeability should. Between the program and the temperature is an arrow 96 which points to the left to indicate that the direction key 52 could also be used to re-select a program. In the case of FIGS. 10 and 11, the symbol 104 for the set rapid heating has been adopted from the setting according to FIG. 9 or FIG. 8 in the status series. To the left is the bell-shaped timer symbol 108, since in these cases a short-term alarm has been set, which informs the user e.g. call to see if the court is ready or requires any interim treatment. In addition to the time-of-day 109, which is always displayed on the left in the status row, a progress bar 110 is shown which shows how much of the runtime set with the time functions has elapsed. To the right of this, the status series 102 contains a work phase specification 1 12 in plain text, in the present case "heating up".

FIG. 1 also shows in principle similar representations in the display after starting, However, an automatic program, in which not a working temperature, but the weight of the main parameters is and permanently controlled in the working mode and at any time remains changeable. A directional arrow 1 16 on the right outside of the main parameter indicates that other parameters can also be redirected and changed. In the status row, here, beside the progress bar 1 10, a time 1 14 "finished in 0:42 h" appears. Like the processing area 86, the large display field 105 is designed with dark characters on a light background.

FIGS. 12 to 16 show another type of representation of various operating states on a screen display 546 arranged in the control panel of a cooker in accordance with another embodiment of the operating device. The row of controls, not shown, is identical to the row of control elements 28 of the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 3. The content of the display 546 is entirely dark-colored on a light background and has a lower full-width display area 512 with three horizontal rows for entries, an upper-change preview row 514, a lower-change preview Series 516 and an intermediate processing series 518, which are each formed in a single line in this case, but in some cases may be two lines with particular space requirements of an entry. Above this, there is a status area above a hyphen 520 with a single-row status row 522, in which the time 524 is left on the left unless help information is called up in the status series. The display content shown in Fig.18 appears after turning on the stove and pressing the program group preset button 60, whereby a program group is called with automatic programs that automatically set the heating modes and the working time according to specifications such as type, weight and desired final state of the food. On the left in the setting area 512 are three of the work programs contained in this program group as a first control variable, wherein the standing in the series 518 work program "meat" is highlighted by a marker 526 in the form of each of the word length adapted framing in the change preview rows 514 and 516 above and below are other programs of this program group or list, which can be scrolled by turning the turntable 50 in the mark 526. To the right of the work program is in a control size preview area 528 of the processing series 518 as next entries of the other control variables or Parameters are a "meat type" and a weight indication suggested by the operating device for the marked program. In the present In this case, the selected "meat" program located in the marker 526 is confirmed by the user navigating to the right by operating the direction key 54 and advancing the marker 526 in the processing row 518 to the entry of the "pig" meat type behind it. The previously displayed non-selected programs "Fish" and "Cake" disappear, and alternatively selectable meat type entries are displayed above and below the marking 526. Then the user has changed the type of meat into "beef" by means of the turntable 50, as shown in Figure 13. Above and below the mark 526 are now the alternatively selectable meat species entries "pork" and "poultry".

The user then, by means of the right directional key 54, as shown in Figure 14, advanced the marker 526 to the weight preset by the operator as an average, with the alternative types of meat from the change preview rows 514 and 516 disappearing and over and below the marker 526 other selectable weights have been displayed. These are just the next values of a larger list of adjustable values, which also applies to the type of meat and the work programs. The entries are all self-explanatory, for example, in the processing series next to the actual value, the unit of measure such as C ° or rpm are specified. The measurement units are suppressed in the preview rows 314 and 316, which makes the overall presentation clearer. In the present case, the user has as shown in Fig. 14 and 15, set by means of the turntable 50, a higher weight and then called with the direction key 54, the next control variable "Gargrad", which was not seen until then in the display 546, whose Presence, however, was indicated by an arrow 530 at the right end of the processing row 518. The marking 526 thereby stops in the right-hand end region of the processing row 518 and the entry "by" the further control variable inserted into the display 246 and the marking 526 yields to the other entries flow left, with the "Meat" work program flowing out to the left and into status row 522. As can be seen in Figure 15, at the right end of the processing row 518 there is now no arrow, which means that no further control variable is pending now at the left end, a left-facing arrow 531 shown, indicating that the left direction key 54 a The first control variable "Gargut" could be redirected with the entry "Meat". As can be seen in FIG. 16, the user has changed the entry "by" to the entry "medium", whereby a parameter entry "raw", not shown in the present drawings, which was initially in the upper preview row 514, has been rolled out of the display. Then he has started the program by pressing the start-pause button 70, whereupon the display 546, as shown in Fig. 16, shows a slightly different structure to indicate that the device is in operation. It also works with a color inversion, which emphasizes this condition even more clearly. At the right end of the 522 status row is now when the program finishes. Until the start there was after confirming a program (Fig.13) how long the respective program in the mark is running under average assumptions on meat type, weight and degree of cooking, which duration was then adapted to the other settings.

As shown in FIG. 16, all selected entries are displayed in the display 46 during operation. In this case, the main parameter, namely the weight, is not exposed, but a parameter that is believed to be most likely to be subsequently changed by the user in use. This parameter is then permanently activated during the working operation, which is indicated by the mark 532 and can be changed at any time by turning the turntable 50. However, deviating from this with automatic programs, it may make sense to not change anything after the start of the program, but to allow only a cancellation. All controls can be made ineffective by pressing the lock button 66 to prevent accidental adjustment. This state is then indicated on the display by a key symbol in the status row and can be undone by pressing the lock key 66 again.

The washing machine 212, which is shown in detail in FIG. 17, has a control panel 222 with a division into a left-hand detergent drawer 223 and a right-hand control panel 225 above a front-side charging door 220. The latter is divided into an upper display area 224 which is located in the center of the front side Display 246 and a lower operating portion 226 of laterally offset below the display 246 centrally between the drawer 223 and the right outer side carries a horizontal Bedieneinereihe 228, which is constructed in principle as in the stove according to Figures 1 to 3, with a central navigation device 248 with a turntable 250 and left outside of an on-off button 256 and right outside a start-pause button 270. Right and left of the turntable 250 direction buttons 252 and 254 are arranged. The on-off button 256 simultaneously functions as a program group preselection button and, when switched on, calls a work program group of conventional textile type programs, with the main parameter working temperature. Next to it is a program group preselection key 257 arranged to invoke pollution type programs such as "sports underwear" or "outdoor", with the main pollutant type, which are different in approach from the textile type programs, and further to the right, a program group preset button 259 for individually set user and user stored work programs. To the right of the navigation device 248 are still a setup button 260 for calling and removing basic programs and an information button 262 for calling up and removing help texts. All of the buttons of the control row 28 are horizontally stretched horizontally as two groups of keys arranged with non-latching short-stroke keys that rise tangibly slightly over the front surface of the control panel 222. Above the left row of keys, which adjoins with a small distance 274 to the left direction key 252, a light bar 278 is arranged, consisting of individual, low, each extending over the entire width of the key light indicators that light up when the corresponding key was pressed. Likewise, the right row of keys adjoining the right direction key 254 with a small distance 276 has such a light bar 278. The light color is blue. The navigation device 246 has on the direction keys 252 and 254 light arrows 253 and 255 and a turntable 250 surrounding light ring 284, which light up when 246 settings can be made with the navigation device. The function of the light indicators of the left and right row of keys and the navigation device are therefore different, which can also be indicated by a different light color. Furthermore, the light arrows 253 and 255 interact with the dialogue control and indicate by their illumination in which directions a setting is possible.

The content of the display 246 of the washing machine of Fig. 17, shown in greater detail in Fig. 18, is entirely dark-colored on a light background and has a lower adjustment area 312 extending throughout the width of the display 246 with three horizontal rows for entries, namely an upper one Change preview row 314, a lower change preview row 316 and an intermediate processing row 318, which are each formed in a single line in this case, but in some cases can be used in two lines with particular space requirements of an entry. Above this, across a horizontal hyphen 320 over the entire width of the display 246, there is a status area 321 with a single-row status row 322 in which the time 324 is shown on the left unless a help information in the status row 322 is called. The display content shown in Fig. 18 appears with the power on Washing machine by pressing on the on-off button 256, which a program group of conventional washing programs by textile type is called. On the left in the adjustment area 312 are three of the work programs contained in this program group on top of each other, wherein the standing in the processing series 318 work program is highlighted by a marker 326 in the form of each of the word length adapted framing. In the other series of adverts 314 and 316 above and below are other programs that are scrollable by turning the turntable 250 in the marker 326. To the right of the work program are in a control size preview area 328 of the processing series 318 as the next entries of the other control variables or parameters, a washing temperature and a spin speed, which are proposed for the selected program by the operating device. In the present case, the selected program "colored laundry" standing in the marking 326 is confirmed by the user navigating to the right by pressing the direction key 254 and moving the marking in the processing row 318 to the entry of the suggested temperature behind it previously indicated non-selected programs and alternatively selectable temperature entries are displayed in the change preview rows 314 and 316 above and below the marker 326, as shown in Fig. 19. In the present case, the user rolled a higher temperature from the change preview series 316 into marker 326 as seen in Fig. 20 and then navigated to the right mark 326 to the proposed spin speed, with the alternate temperature values from the change preview rows 316, 318 also disappearing Speed entries are displayed s are only the next values of a larger list of adjustable values, which also applies to the temperatures and the work programs. The entries are all self-explanatory, for example, in the processing series next to the actual value, the unit of measure such as C ° or rpm are specified. The measurement units are suppressed in the preview rows 314 and 316, which makes the overall presentation clearer.

In the present case, the user has as shown in Figure 21, a higher spin speed selected and confirmed by using the direction key 254 called the next control variable, which was not seen until then in the display, but their presence by an arrow 330 am right end of the processing series 318 was indicated. The marking 326 remains in the right-hand end area of the processing row 318 and the entry "Preliminary" in the display 246 and the mark 326 has been entered. see "the further control variable causes the other entries to flow to the left, with the" colored laundry "work program flowing out to the left and into the status row 322. As can be seen in FIG. 21, at the end of the series of processing, there is now no arrow, which means that no further control variable is pending. For this purpose, a left-pointing arrow 331 now stands at the left end of the processing row 318, which indicates that the displaced control variable "work programs" can also be actuated again with the left direction key, ie can be retrieved back into the processing row. Pre-wash on ", he can start the program by pressing the start-pause button 270, whereupon the display 246, as shown in Fig. 22, shows a slightly different structure to indicate that the device is in operation. Notwithstanding the illustration in FIG. 22, it would also be possible to work with a color inversion which indicates this state even more clearly. The right end of the status row 322 indicates when the program will finish. Until the start there was the choice of a program (Fig.18) for how long the respective program in the marker was running. In the present schematic representations, the same duration has always been indicated for the sake of simplification in the further work steps or operating steps, but this will change practically in dependence on the selected temperature and spin speed.

As shown in FIG. 22, all selected entries are displayed on the display 246 during operation. The main parameter is shown highlighted in the adjustment area 312 and permanently activated during the working operation, which is indicated by the mark 332 and can be changed at any time by turning the turntable 250. By a lock button, not shown, the controls can also be made ineffective to avoid accidental adjustment.

In the modified control element series 428 shown in FIG. 23, in a modification of the washing machine according to FIG. 17, next to a turntable 450, a navigation device 448, right and left directional buttons 452 and 454 are arranged. In addition to an on-off button 456 on the left-hand side, to the right are a program group preset button 457 for calling conventional textile programs having the wash temperature as a main parameter, a program group preset button 458 for calling a program group of dirty mode programs, and a program group preset button 459 for calling user-set and stored work programs. To the right direction key 454 Close to the right, an additional control size key 459 for calling up a group of additional control parameters, a set-up key 460 and an information key 462 and a start-pause key 470. Arranged in the illustration of Fig.23 under the control panel 28 arrows and numbers in circles indicate that the device firstly turned on with the left most extreme control and secondly set with the following controls and thirdly started with the right most extreme control. The keys, which are arranged slightly in a row, are shaped and lined up in such a way that the transitions between them are easily felt with the fingers, with a noticeably larger one between the direction keys 452 and 454 and the adjacent keys 449 and 459, but still small gap 476 and 476 in the series exists. All keys of the control row 428 are horizontally stretched horizontally as two groups of keys arranged with non-latching short-stroke keys that rise tangibly slightly over the front surface of the control panel, not shown. Above the left row of keys, a light bar 478 is arranged, consisting of individual, low, each over the entire width of the key extending light indicators that light up when the corresponding key was pressed. Likewise, the right row of keys has such a light bar 478. The light color is blue. The navigation device 446 has on the direction keys

452 and 454 light arrows 453 and 455 and the turntable 450 surrounding light ring 484, which shine when settings can be made with the navigation device 448. The function of the light indicators of the left and right row of keys and the navigation device are therefore different, which can also be indicated by a different light color. Furthermore, the light arrows work

453 and 455 together with the dialogue control and show by their illumination in which directions a setting is possible.

The control device to which this control row 447 of Fig. 23 belongs has a display 446 which is entirely designed with dark characters on a light background and the contents of which are explained with reference to some examples in Figs. The display 446 has a lower full-width adjustment area 412 with three horizontal rows for entries, namely, an upper change preview 414, a lower change 416 series, and intermediate series 418 of processing, each one-line in this case in individual cases, two-line can be used with special space requirements of an entry. In addition, a status area 421 is located above a horizontal dividing line 420 a single-row status row 422, in the left of the time 424 stands, as long as a help information in the status series 422 is called. The display contents shown in Fig. 24 appear in this case after switching on by pressing the on-off key 456 and then pressing the program group key 457 or P at which the group of conventional textile type work programs with the main parameter temperature is called. On the left in the setting area 412, there are three of the work programs contained in this program group, with the work program "color laundry" in the series 518 being highlighted by a marking 526 in the form of a frame adapted to the word length in each case underneath are other work programs which are scrollable to turning mark 426 by turning turntable 450. To the right of the work program, in a control size preview area 427 of processing row 418, a wash temperature and spin speed are the next entries of the other control parameters In the present case, the selected program "colored laundry" standing in the marking 426 is confirmed by the user pressing the right directional key to the next entry of the proposed temp navigation to the right, with all the entries in the processing row 418 flowing to the left and the temperature entering the stationary processing area formed by the frame-like marking 426 in the left-hand end area of the processing row 418. To the left of this, at the left end of the processing row, a left-pointing directional arrow 431 is shown, which indicates that the control variable "color laundry" previously processed and now flowed into the status series 422 can be activated again with the left directional key 452 The operating device for the selected program proposed temperature 60 ° Celsius are in the series 414 and 416 respectively the next below and above selectable temperature, which is suppressed in the series 414 and 416 sake of clarity, the specification of the dimension degrees Celsius Series 414 and 416 and further scrollable in the display 446 temperature entries can now be selected up and down by turning the turntable 450 to the right or left, then by pressing the right directional key 454 to the right and the control variable b between the parameter "spin speed" in the processing area and the marking 426 drawn on the left end of the processing series 418 and possibly be changed with the turntable. In Fig. 25, the control amount preview area contains only nor the control parameter spin speed, since in this case no further adjustable control variable follows after this program call. The control color "Colored laundry" has moved into the status series when controlling the temperature control variable to indicate what has already been set.The status row contains at the right end an indication of the working time of this program and the time when the start button was pressed the program has finished, which is not shown here.

In the embodiment according to FIGS. 24 to 28, deviating from the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 18 to 22, the control value "prewash on / off" is not assigned to the main control variables appearing after calling a preselection program group but to an additional control variable Group which is called up by means of the additional control amount key 461 arranged to the right of the right directional key 454, whereupon the display content shown in Fig. 26 appears and displaces the content of the processing row 418 into the status row, thereby continuing to display the previously made settings In the case of the additional control variables, the activations and changes are made as described above with reference to Figures 24 and 25. The space in the status row 422 is not sufficient in this case more left out of the editr To record and output all of the parameter entries that have flown out, it displays these entries by alternately representing part of them every three to five seconds. Alternatively, the status series can also be formed in two lines or the entries to be displayed there can be transformed into symbols which require less space. In order not to disturb the symbols, which are preferably flush-mounted in the status series, or to prevent them from being too small and poorly visible, in each case the dividing line 420 may be interrupted. By renewed pressure on the additional control button 561 the old state is restored before their pressures, apart from the fact that the controlled additional control variables are displayed at least as symbols even after switching off by means of the additional control variables button in the status row. In the present case, the user first changed the first additional control variable "prewash" from "off" to "on" (FIG. 26), then activated the control variable "contamination" and left it on "light" (FIGS then the last control variable "final spin" of this group in this schematic example is activated and left "on" (FIG. 28). The control size preview area is now empty. If he starts now rectly or after switching back to the pre-selection group the program flow, then the division of the display content after start is another not shown here, similar to that shown in Fig. 22, whereby it is clear that the device is in operation. Even after the start, the settings of all control variables activated in the operating phase are displayed. The additional control variable group preferably contains only control variables or parameters with two values, for example yes / no or on / off. The control variables which can be set by the user in the normal operating phase for a specific work program are all contained in the two control variable groups which can be called up by means of one of the program group preselection keys and then the additional control variable key. For other devices, part of the control variables that can be set in the control phase are still in a time control group summarized, which can be called up via a time button for setting. Single control size keys, which only set a control value or call up for setting in the display, should be avoided as far as possible in order to keep the setting system as uniform as possible and to keep the number of keys low. It should be achieved with a minimum number of controls one, for a quick, easy operation overall optimal combination of operation via controls and dialogue with the display.

The reference numerals above 500 are used in FIGS. 12 to 16 above.

FIGS. 29 and 30 show, in sections, a control panel 622 of a dishwasher with an operating area 626 on which a row of control panels 628 is arranged. This has in its center a four-way navigation device 648 with a central rocker 650, which is tiltable about a horizontal axis from a neutral position in two directions. The switching rocker 650 forms a change device in the form of a two-way vertical adjusting device, with the entries of the control variables shown in a display are vertically scrollable or blätterbar. As a horizontal adjusting serve a left directional key 652 and a right directional key 654, which are arranged on the left and right of the rocker switch 650 approximately along the horizontal tilt axis. This is followed by a horizontal row of lower horizontally stretched substantially gapless adjacent keys to the right and left, which begin for easy removal of the navigation device 648 at a small distance 674 and 676 from the direction keys 652 and 654. All keys of the control row 628 are arranged horizontally stretched horizontally as two groups of keys, with non-latching short-stroke keys that feel something raise over the front surface 672 of the control panel 622. Above the left row of keys, which adjoins with a small distance 674 to the left direction key 652, a light bar 678 is arranged, consisting of individual, low, each extending over the entire width of the key light indicators that light up when the corresponding key was pressed. Similarly, the right row of keys adjoining the right direction key 654 with a small distance 676 has such a light bar 678. The light color is blue. The navigation device 646 has on the direction buttons 652 and 654 to the left and right-facing light arrows 653 and 655 and the switching rocker 650 surrounding light ring 684, which light up when with the navigation device 646 settings can be made. The rocker switch 650 is seen from the front circular cylindrical and slightly protrudes over the rows of keys and the direction keys 652 and 654 and has a concave slightly inwardly curved front surface with two up and down directional arrows 653 and 655. It corresponds in diameter and in the curvature of their front face a turntable of another device in a series creatively matched different devices such as ovens, washing machines or dishwashers, but the front surface of the turntable is curved outward. Such a rocker switch is preferably used in devices with smaller adjustment ranges.

References:

12 kitchen undercounter cooker (Fig. 1 to 3)

14 oven

16 kitchen worktop 18 hob

20 oven door

22 control panel

24 display area

26 Operating area 28 Control element row

30 cooking stage turntable

32 cooking stage turntable

34 cooking stage turntable

36 cooking level turntable 38 cooking level displays

40 cooking level displays

42 cooking level displays

44 cooking level displays

46 On-screen display 48 Navigation device

50 turntables

51 Front surface of the turntable

52 left directional key

53 Light arrow 54 right directional button

55 light arrow

56 On / Off switch

58 Program group preselection key "Heating programs"

60 Program group preselection key "Automatic programs" 62 Program group preselection key "Storage programs"

64 Basic setting button

66 Lock key

68 time button

70 Start / Pause button 72 Front panel of the control panel 74 gap, distance

76 gap, distance

78 light bars

84 light ring

86 Processing area

88 processing series

90 Note compartment

92 Preview area

96 directional arrow

98 directional arrow

100 status area

101 dividing line

102 status series

103 directional arrow

104 Rapid heating symbol

105 Large display panel

106 circular arrow icon

107 Reference field

108 timer icon

109 daytime

1 10 progress bar

1 12 work phase specification

1 14 time indication

1 16 directional arrow

212 washing machine (Fig 17)

220 door

222 Control panel

223 Detergent drawer 224 Display area

225 control panel

226 operating area

228 Controls series, controls

246 Display (on-screen display) 248 Navigation device 250 turntable

252 left directional key

253 left light arrow

254 right direction button 255 right light arrow

256 ON-OFF key and program group preselection key "Textile type programs"

257 Program group preselection key "Contamination type programs"

259 Program group preselection key "Memory programs"

260 Set-up button, Basic settings button 262 Information button

270 Start-Pause button

274 gap, distance

276 gap, distance

278 Lightbar 284 Illuminated ring

312 Setting range (Fig. 18 to 22)

314 upper change preview series

316 lower modification series 318 Processing series

320 dividing line

321 status area

322 Status series 324 Time 326 Marking in the operating phase

328 Control Size Preview Area

330 directional arrow

331 directional arrow

332 marking during working operation

412 Setting range (Fig. 24 to 29)

414 upper change preview series

416 lower change preview series

418 Machining series 420 Dividing line 421 status area

422 Status series 424 Time

426 Marking in the operating phase 427 Control variable preview area

428 control panel series, controls

430 directional arrow

431 directional arrow

432 Marking during operation 446 Display

448 navigation device (FIG. 23)

450 turntable

452 left directional key

453 Arrow 454 right directional button

455 light arrow

456 on-off switch

457 Program group preselection key "Textile type programs"

458 Program group preselection key "Contamination type programs" 459 Program group preselection key "Storage programs"

460 set-up button, default button

461 Additional control key

462 Help button, Information button 470 Start-Pause button 474 Gap

476 gap

478 lightbar

484 light ring

512 setting range (Fig.12 to 16)

514 upper change preview series

516 lower change preview series

518 machining series

520 hyphen 521 status area 522 status series

524 time

526 Marking in the operating phase

528 Control Size Preview Area 530 Directional Arrow

531 directional arrow

532 Marking during operation 546 Display

622 control panel (Fig.29 and 30)

626 operating area

628 control panel series, controls

648 navigation device

649 horizontal axis 650 rocker switch

652 left directional key

653 light arrow

654 right direction button

655 light arrow 674 gap, distance

676 gap, distance

678 lightbar

684 light ring

686 directional arrow 688 directional arrow

Claims

claims

1. Operating device of a program-controlled household appliance, e.g. a cooker (12), a baking oven or a washing machine (212) with adjustable control variables, by means of which an operating program can be set by the user, wherein in the operating phase of the normal work operation the first control variable is given to work programs, one of which is to be selected and further control variable at least one program parameter assigned to the work program, eg the operating temperature with changeable parameter values and with • a screen display (46; 246; 446; 546) in which the working programs and the parameter values of the control variables can be represented as entries, and

• Control elements (28; 228; 428; 628) by means of which the entries of the control variables can be controlled and changed in dialogue with the display, characterized in that the display (46; 246; 446; 546) always contains entries of two or more Control variables shows, at least as long as a control variable of a group of control variables called up for display by means of a control element remains uncontrolled for possible processing and

• the operating elements (28; 228; 428; 628) have a navigation device (48; 248; 448; 648) with two to four directional functions for processing all control variables

A drive device (52, 54, 252, 254, 452, 454, 652, 654) having a direction function or two opposite direction functions, wherein actuations of one of these direction functions in the display 46, 246, 446, 546 always have repetitive motions in FIG the same direction between the entries of different

Control variables and one of the selected entry characterizing mark (326, 526) cause and with

• a change device (50; 250; 450; 650) with a directional function or two opposite directional functions by means of which all controlled variables can be changed, whereby actuations of one of these directional functions uniformly either a list of entries of the control variable by a marked processing region (86; 426) Scroll or scroll or move a marker (326, 526) in this list or a portion of it shown, these operations also here, as far as eg by means of preview entries of the same Control variable, in the display (46; 246; 446; 546) always cause relative movements in the same direction between the various entries of the controlled control variable and the marking (326; 526).

2. Operating device according to claim 1, characterized in that

• in the display (46; 246; 446; 546) entries of the adjustable control variables in a horizontal processing series (88; 318; 418; 518) can be controlled and changed, and

• by means of the drive means (52, 54, 252, 254, 452, 454, 652, 654) the control variables are controllable as required by horizontally rolling their entry along the processing line into a single, marked processing area (86, 426) of the processing line (88; 318; 418; 518) or by horizontally shifting a marker (326; 526) to one of the entries and, in both cases, possibly scrolling entries of further control variables into the display (46; 246; 446; 546).

3. Operating device, in particular according to claim 1 or 2, of a program-controlled household appliance, e.g. a stove, a baking oven or a washing machine with adjustable control variables with which the user can set an operating program, wherein in the operating phase of the normal working mode as the first control variable work programs are predetermined, of which one is to be selected and as a further control variable at least one of the work program associated program parameters, eg the operating temperature with changeable parameter values and with • a screen display (46; 446) in which the working programs and the parameter values of the control variables can be represented as entries, and • control elements (28; 428) by means of which, in dialogue with the Display the entries of the control variables are controllable and changeable, characterized in that at least during the processing of a portion of the control variables

The display (46; 446) comprises a substantially fixed, marked, single processing area (86; 426) for receiving a single entry changeable in said processing area, wherein

• the operating elements (28, 428) for processing all control variables, a navigation Control means (48, 248, 448, 648) with control in at least two, preferably four directions comprise

• a drive means (52, 54; 252, 254; 452, 454; 652, 654) having a directional function or two counter-directional functions for driving the various control variables respectively by rolling a proposal entry of the control variable in the processing area (86; 426) and

• a change means (50; 250; 450; 650) having a direction function or two opposite direction functions for scrolling other entries of the controlled control quantity into the processing area (86; 426).

4. Control device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the operation after a program start in accordance with the entries changed to start time and as far as necessary for the selected program control variables were not edited in the operating phase, alternatively with the Bedienvor- direction for it proposed entries or values.

5. Operating device in particular according to one of claims 1 to 4 of a program-controlled household appliance, e.g. a stove, a baking oven or a washing machine with adjustable control variables, with which the user is an operating program adjustable, being specified in the operating phase of the normal work operation as a first control variable work programs, one of which is to select and as a further control variable at least one program associated with the work program Parameters, eg the operating temperature with changeable parameter values and with • a screen display (46; 246; 446; 546) in which the working programs and the parameter values of the control variables can be represented as entries and • operating elements (28; 228; 428; 628 ), by means of which the entries of the control variables can be controlled and changed in dialogue with the display, characterized in that the operating elements (28; 228; 428; 628) have at least two program group preselection operating elements (58,60,62; , 257, 259;

457, 458, 459) for calling from the manufacturer given, different preset program groups in the display (46, 246, 446, 546), preferably each group from the approach similar work programs and their associated control variables or parameters contains and the work programs of the different groups are different in approach, preferably by machine orientation or problem orientation or in the nature of the main parameter; For example, in an oven machine-oriented types of heating programs with the operating temperature as the main parameter and problem-oriented automatic programs with the type and weight of the food as the main parameter and a washing machine Textilart programs with the washing temperature as the main parameter and pollution type programs.

6. Operating device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a work program associated, adjustable by the user in the operating phase of the normal operating mode control variables are divided into one, the work program containing group of major control variables and at least one separately callable group less important or less frequently used additional control variables eg a time-control group and the controls have at least one additional control variable operating element (461), by means of which the respective additional control variable group for all work programs and preferably also wegschaltbar.

7. Operating device according to claim 6, characterized in that the additional control variables and preferably also the default control variables in their call for display the processing series (88; 318; 418; 518) occupy and the main control variables including the designation of the selected work program in a status area (100; 321; 421; 521) of the display (46; 246; 446; 546).

8. Operating device, in particular according to one of claims 1 to 7, operating device of a program-controlled household appliance, e.g. a stove, a baking oven or a washing machine with adjustable control variables, with which the user is an operating program adjustable, being specified in the operating phase of the normal work operation as the first control variable work programs, one of which is to select and at least one additional control variable to the work program associated program parameters, eg the operating temperature with changeable parameter values and with

• a screen display (46; 246; 446; 546) in which the work programs and the parameter values of the control variables can be represented as entries, and • In a horizontal row under the display arranged controls (28, 228, 428, 628), by means of which the entries of the control variables are controlled and changed in dialogue with the display, characterized in that as a haptic orientation aid for the eyes with the Display (46; 246; 446; 546) concentrated user

• the array of controls (28; 228; 428; 628) is spaced at a distance below the display (46; 246; 446; 546) and has a configuration, e.g. in the form and / or the surface of the operating surface or - panel (22; 622), on which it is arranged and lifts the control element row (28; 228; 428; 628) a navigation device

(48; 248; 448; 648) for moving a marker (326; 526) and / or scrolling entries in the display (46; 246; 446; 546) that differ in design, e.g. in the form and / or the surface is noticeably different from the other control elements of the series and is preferably arranged approximately in the middle of the row.

An operating device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the display (46; 246; 446; 546) is made horizontally oriented by the selection and organization of the dialogue system and display content, e.g. by arranging the entries of different control sizes next to each other in a horizontal processing row (88; 318; 418; 518).

10. Operating device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that in the display (46; 246; 446; 546) as an orientation aid, the line-like horizontally juxtaposed entries of the control variables arranged in the reading direction decreasing importance of the control variables and normal Operating progress, as required, in the reading direction can be controlled sequentially.

1. Operating device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the operating elements (28; 228; 428; 628) of the line-like horizontal control element row as orientation aid at least up to and including the navigation device (48; 248; 448; are arranged in normal operations usually occurring temporal sequence of operations and depending on the operating case selected controls are to operate sequentially in the reading direction, wherein the row preferably starts on the left with the on / off switch (56; 256; 456) and can end on the right with a start control (70; 270; 470).

12. Operating device, in particular according to one of claims 1 to 1 1, of a program-controlled household appliance, e.g. a stove, a baking oven or a washing machine with adjustable control variables, with which the user is an operating program adjustable, being specified in the operating phase of the normal work operation as a first control variable work programs, one of which is to select and as a further control variable at least one program associated with the work program Parameters, eg the operating temperature with changeable

Parameter values and with

• a screen display (46; 246; 446; 546) in which the work programs and the parameter values of the control variables can be represented as entries, and

• Control elements (28, 228, 428, 628), by means of which the entries of the control variables can be controlled and changed in dialogue with the display, characterized in that

• The device has a control panel (22; 222) with an upper display area (24; 224) with the display (46; 246; 446; 546) of the operating device and possibly further displays (38 to 44), and a lower operating area (25; 225) with the operating elements (28; 228; 428; 628) of the operating device and possibly further operating elements (30 to 36), these areas extending horizontally continuously substantially at a height above the control panel (22; 222) and

The display (46; 246; 446; 546) of the operating device is designed to be low, horizontally aligned by the selection and organization of the dialogue system and the display content and is arranged wholly or predominantly in the display area (24; 224)

• and the operating elements (28, 228, 428, 628) of the operating device including a navigation device (48, 248, 448, 648) in a horizontal row, at a clear distance below the display (46, 246, 446;

546) in the operating area (25; 225) are arranged.

13. Operating device according to claim 12 of a cooker (12) with a hob (18) and an oven (14), on the control panel (22) cooking stage plate (30 to 36) and the associated cooking stage displays (40 to 44) are arranged to operate the hob, characterized in that the cooking stage (30 to 36) in the operating area (25) next to the controls (28) of the operating device for the oven (14) and preferably on a Height with these and the cooking stage displays (40 to 44) next to the display (46) of the operating device in the display area (24) are arranged.

14. Operating device according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the navigation device (48; 248; 448; 648) has a drive device (52, 54; 252, 254; 452, 454; 652, 654) and a change device (50 ; 250; 450; 650), each having a directional function or two opposing directional functions and spatially grouped into a set of controls.

An operating device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the control line (28; 228; 428; 628) extends horizontally below the display (46; 246; 446; 546) and the navigation device (48; 248; 448 648) is arranged approximately centrally under the display.

16. Operating device according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the navigation device (48; 248; 448; 648) is arranged as a central element approximately in the middle of the control element row (28; 228; 428; 628) and is preferably perceptible different from the other controls.

17. Operating device according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the changing means comprises a turntable (50; 250; 450), which is preferably rotatable in both directions of rotation about each in two directions a marker (326; 526) across move multiple rows or roll multiple programs or parameter values through a series of processing (88; 318; 418; 518).

18. Operating device according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the change device comprises two superimposed change operating elements, preferably non-latching keys or a tactile switching rocker (650) with a horizontal axis (649), for example in the form of a circular disk, according to the front surface (51) of the turntable (50; 250; 450) of another device in a series of creatively matched devices such as a dishwasher, oven or washing machine.

19. Operating device according to one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the control device right and preferably also left of the change device (50; 250; 450; 650) a directional control element, preferably a non-latching direction key (52, 54; , 254, 452, 454, 652, 654).

20. An operating device according to claim 19, characterized in that in each case between the directional key (52, 54; 252, 254; 452, 454; 652, 654) and the adjacent button of the control element row (28; 228; 428; and visible small distance greater than the distance between the other controls of the row.

21. Operating device according to one of claims 1 to 20, characterized in that the control element series (28; 228; 428; 628) summarizes all operating elements of the operating device in a substantially closed row.

22. Operating device according to one of claims 1 to 21, characterized in that the control elements of the control element row (28; 228; 428; 628) arranged next to the changing device (50; 250; 450; 650) are tangibly supported by a control surface (22,72 622, 672) on which they are arranged, forming a substantially closed row leading the user's finger, preferably being shaped or held or arranged at small intervals so as to be individually felt.

23. Operating device according to one of claims 1 to 22, characterized in that the operating elements (28; 228; 428; 628) at least up to and including the navigation device (48; 248; 448; 648) corresponding to a, in normal operations mostly occurring temporal Operating sequence are ordered and depending on the operating case selected controls are to operate sequentially in the reading direction, the row preferably left with the on / off switch (56; 256; 456) begins, and right with a start-up control (70; 270; 470 ) can end.

24. Operating device according to one of claims 1 to 23, characterized in that all operating elements (28; 228; 428; 628) always maintain the same function or multiple function as switching on and off, on-off or start-pause.

25. Operating device according to one of claims 1 to 24, characterized in that the operating elements (28; 228; 428; 628), preferably left of the navigation device (48; 248; 448; 648), at least two program group pre-selection operating elements (58; 60, 62; 256, 257, 259; 457, 458, 459) for invoking a respective set of work programs for display on the display (46; 246; 446; 546).

26. Control device according to claim 25, characterized in that the device on-off control (256) at the same time as one of at least two preselection controls (256, 257) is used and calls one of at least two program groups and the user preferably in the basic settings can choose which.

27. Operating device according to one of claims 25 or 26, characterized in that the operating elements (28; 228; 428), preferably to the left of the navigation device (48; 248; 448; 648), at least one further program group pre-selection device.

Operating means (62, 259; 459) for calling a memory program group from user-stored, pre-set programs, and / or a control for calling a special program, e.g. a device cleaning program.

28. Operating device according to one of claims 1 to 27, characterized in that the operating elements (28; 228; 428; 628), preferably on the right of the navigation device (48; 248; 448; 648), at least one additional control variable operating element (68 461) for calling a group of additional control variables not necessarily always to be set, assigned to a work program, such as time control variables or for connecting a single control variable such as "rapid heating" or a call control element (64; 260; 460) to call one A set of default control values, these controls preferably having a turn-on / power-on dual function for returning to the portion of the operation invoked prior to connection.

29. Operating device according to one of claims 1 to 28, characterized in that the navigation device (48; 248; 448; 648) has a light display (53, 55, 84; 253, 255, 284; 453, 455, 484; 653, 655 , 684) which illuminates when an adjustment can be made by it and can flash in the event of operating errors, and which preferably has a light ring (84, 284, 484, 684) around the change means (turntable 50, 250, 450, rocker switch 650).

30. Operating device according to claim 29, characterized in that the light indicator of the navigation device (48; 248; 448; 648) is associated with the operating elements of the drive device (52, 54; 252, 254; 452, 454; 652, 654) luminous directional arrows (53, 55, 253, 255, 453, 455, 653, 655), which preferably indicate by their illumination on the possible positioning directions.

31. Operating device according to one of claims 1 to 30, characterized in that the non-navigation device (48; 248; 448; 648) belonging control elements of the Bedieneinereihe (28; 228; 428; 628) each having a light display (78; 278; 478 678) which illuminates upon actuation of the respective operating element, wherein the light displays preferably each form a substantially closed beam over the left and the right part of the control element row.

32. Operating device according to one of claims 1 to 29, characterized in that the light indicators light blue and preferably the light displays (53, 55, 84; 253, 255, 284; 453, 455, 484; 653, 655, 684) of the navigation device (48; 248;

448; 648) differ from the other light displays (78, 278, 478, 678) due to a different light color or pulsation.

33. Operating device according to one of claims 1 to 32, characterized in that the processing series (88; 318; 418; 518) or the processing area (86;

426) in the display (46; 246; 446; 546) is substantially stationary in height and the controlled amount of control is variable by scrolling or vertically scrolling its various entries into the processing line (88; 318; 418; 518).

34. Operating device according to one of claims 1 to 33, characterized in the display (46; 446), the horizontal processing series (88; 318; 418; 518) has a processing area (86; 426) and a control variable preview area (92; 427) arranged adjacent thereto and an entry or entry in the preview area Value of the next controllable parameter or values of several parameters are arranged side by side, depending on the space requirements of the entries and the size of the display.

35. Operating device according to one of claims 1 to 34, characterized in that the display (246; 446; 546) above and / or below the processing row (318; 418; 518) a change preview series (314, 316; 414, 416 514, 516) or above and / or below the processing area (86, 426) has a change preview area, in each of which is a possible further selectable entry of the controlled control variable, in which preferably the dimension is suppressed.

36. Operating device, in particular according to one of claims 1 to 35, of a program-controlled household appliance, e.g. a stove, a baking oven or a washing machine with adjustable control variables, with which the user can set an operating program, wherein in the operating phase of the normal work operation as the first control variable work programs are specified, of which one is to be selected and as a further control variable at least one of the work program associated program parameters, eg the operating temperature with changeable parameter values and with

• a screen display (46; 446) in which the work programs and the parameter values of the control variables can be displayed as entries, and

Operating elements (28; 428) by means of which the entries of the control variables can be controlled and changed in dialogue with the display, characterized in that at least during the processing of a part of the control variables the display (46; 246; 446; 546) contains entries of shows two or more control variables which can be controlled and changed in a series of processing (88, 318, 418, 518) and the operating elements have a drive device (52, 54, 252, 254, 452, 454, 652

, 654), by means of which the control variables as required for the subsequent Change is controllable by scrolling their entry along the series of processing (88; 318; 418; 518) into a marked processing area (86; 426) thereof or by moving a marker (326; 526) to one of the entries and, in both cases, possibly scrolling Entries of further control variables in the display (46; 246; 446; 546) and

• the entries of the various control variables in the processing series (88, 318, 418, 518) are lined up in a flow-textual manner and can preferably flow along the processing series.

37. Operating device according to claim 36, characterized in that the entries from the processing series (88; 318; 418; 518) can flow out and preferably also back into them.

38. Operating device according to claim 35 or 36, characterized in that in the operating phase from the processing series (88; 318; 418; 518) preferably left-flowed overflowed entries into a below or preferably over the processing row lying horizontal status series (102; 422; 522), which may be abbreviated, scaled down, or rendered into symbols indicating that the corresponding control variable has been edited.

39. Operating device according to one of claims 1 to 38, characterized in that in the processing series (88; 318; 418; 518) juxtaposed entries of the control variables are sorted in the reading direction decreasing importance of the control variables and in normal operating progress in the reading direction can be controlled sequentially ,

40. Operating device according to one of claims 1 to 39, characterized in that the entries, for example by the addition of a dimension specification, are self-explanatory and the display changing symbolic references to operating options, e.g. By the way, direction arrows (90, 96, 98, 103, 16, 330, 331, 430, 431) or an arrow circle symbol (90, 106) indicating the change device (50, 250; Exception of time (109, 324, 424), preferably contains no text or dimensions.

41. Operating device according to one of claims 1 to 40, characterized in a lateral subarea (90) of the processing area (86; 426), a symbol indicates the changing device (50; 250; 450), eg a circle arrow symbol on the turntable (50; 250; 450) of the navigation device (48; 248, 448) and preferably the arrows indicate the possible direction of change.

42. Operating device according to one of claims 1 to 41, characterized in that the display (46; 246; 446; 546) in the operating phase by lines (101; 320; 420; 520) and / or borders (326, 332; 426 , 526, 532) and / or shading and / or inverse representation is subdivided into the areas receiving the entries, which are preferably flexible in their size for adaptation to changing sizes or lengths of the entries, in particular in their horizontal extent.

43. Operating device according to one of claims 1 to 42, characterized in that the content of the display (46; 246; 546) in operation after the program start, e.g. characterized by at least partial color inversions, significantly different than in the operating phase.

44. Operating device according to one of claims 1 to 43, characterized in that, for a possible change even after the program start important parameters of the work program, preferably the main parameters, e.g. the working temperature, is always displayed and preferably always activated after the program start and at any time immediately with the change device (50; 250; 450; 650) is adjustable.

45. Operating device according to one of claims 1 to 44, characterized in that in the operating phase in the status row (102) instructions or temporary help information in place of the control size entries and possibly also the other time there or in addition to these representable, e.g. if the user hesitates during operation.

46. Operating device according to one of claims 1 to 45, characterized in that the display (46), preferably in the status series (102) after the program start, in the case of a predetermined or set working time the temporal progress in a progress bar (10 ).

47. Operating device according to one of claims 1 to 46, characterized in that the display (46), preferably in the status series after the program start in plain text (1 12) or by symbols indicating which working phase, e.g. Heating up, going on.

48. Operating device according to one of claims 1 to 47, characterized in that, if the entries to be displayed are not all together in the status row space, entries in the status series groups in the short-term change, for. each display about 4 seconds.

49. Operating device according to one of claims 1, 3, 5, 8, 12 and 36, characterized in that the independent, sibling, claims 1, 3, 5, 8, 12 and 36 are combined differently with each other.

50. A method for controlling a household appliance using an operating device according to one of claims 1 to 49, characterized in that for the claims 1 to 7, 1 1 and 33 to 48 in addition the genus method is claimed, wherein the relationships of the claims to each other unchanged be taken on the method claims.