EP2400472A2 - Portable operating module for a domestic appliance and system with such a portable operating module and method for operating a domestic appliance with a portable operating module - Google Patents

Abstract

The control module (12) has a communication channel (17) for transmitting a detection signal (19) to a domestic appliance i.e. cooktop (2), for determining the position of the cooktop, where the functionality of the control module for operating the cooktop is dependent on the position of the cooktop. The detection signal is transmitted upon receiving a radio signal (18) from the cooktop, where the control module is activated when the control module is located in a close range to the cooktop. An independent claim is also included for a method for operating a domestic appliance with a portable control module.

Description

The invention relates to a portable operating module for a household appliance, which is designed for wireless communication with the domestic appliance. Furthermore, the invention relates to a system with such a portable operating module and a domestic appliance and a method for operating a domestic appliance with a portable operating module.

Portable or portable control modules, which can be carried by a user and which are designed to set a domestic appliance, are known. Thus, such control modules are used, for example, for ovens, so that even at a certain distance from the device operation or observation of operating conditions can be done by a user.

Moreover, in such separable and portable or portable control modules but it is necessary that they have depending on which device they are assigned, even within a range of control functionality by the oven or the hob is visible to the user and thus the entire construct is located in a viewing area to the home appliance. Such an accurate determination is only very limited and inaccurate possible with conventional known control modules.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable control module for a domestic appliance, in which the above requirements can be better taken into account. Furthermore, it is an object to provide a system with such a control module as well as a method for operating a domestic appliance with such a control module.

This object is achieved by a portable operating module having the features of claim 1, a system comprising the features of claim 14, and a method comprising the features of claim 15.

An inventive portable operating module for a domestic appliance is designed for wireless communication with the domestic appliance. This means that communication signals are transmitted via a wireless communication interface.

A functional range of the operating module for operating the domestic appliance is dependent on the position of the operating module relative to the domestic appliance. To determine the position, at least one predetermined detection signal is stored in the operating module and can be transmitted to the domestic appliance. By such a procedure, a position determination is thus possible in a very precise and precise execution. Such a very specific detection signal also simplifies the evaluation and provides clear information about the position.

In particular, an identification of the operating module is provided for determining the position. This means that one or more signals are sent, with which it is determined whether the operating module is authorized to operate a domestic appliance. This identification determination can in particular be stored independently of the position determination or else in a signal, for example also in a detection signal.

Preferably, the transmission of a detection signal from the operating module to the domestic appliance is dependent on receiving a request signal of the domestic appliance by the operating module. By such a procedure, therefore, the detection signal is transmitted only when a specific request has been directed from the household appliance to the control module. Unwanted transmissions of the detection signal to the domestic appliance can thus be avoided, whereby information distortions are prevented.

Preferably, the request signal is a radio signal. In this regard, the range is relatively large and also a penetration of obstacles or the like is possible. In principle, however, request signals from a different frequency spectrum than the radio range can be used.

Preferably, a range of functions of the operating module is activated when the operating module is located in a vicinity of the domestic appliance, in which the user carrying the operating module can also directly view the domestic appliance to be operated. Correspondingly high safety requirements are thereby satisfied. The recognition of the operating module in the near range is dependent on a time duration between the sending of the request signal from the domestic appliance to the operating module and receiving the detection signal from the domestic appliance.

In particular, a full range of functions of the operating module is activated when the operating module is at a certain distance from the domestic appliance in the vicinity.

It can be provided that a first detection signal for determining whether the operating module is in the vicinity, is an ultrasonic signal. Alternatively, an infrared signal may also be provided.

In particular, it is provided that a second detection signal for determining the distance of the operating module to the domestic appliance in the near area is an infrared signal. It is thus advantageously carried out a two-step approach, in which on the one hand it is checked whether the control module is generally in the vicinity, in which case beyond the exact distance of the control module is determined to the home appliance.

Preferably, it is provided for determining the position that at least two detection signals with different frequency spectra can be transmitted. This means that the first detection signal having a frequency from a first frequency spectrum and the second detection signal having a second frequency from a frequency spectrum different from the first frequency spectrum can be transmitted. For example, it can preferably be provided that a detection signal is a radio signal and the second detection signal is an ultrasonic signal.

To generate these signals, it is of course provided that the operating module has corresponding transmitting units.

In particular, it is thus provided that the dialogue module or the portable operating module is checked with regard to positioning in the vicinity of the domestic appliance. It is located in this vicinity, in particular if a central electronics or main electronics of the domestic appliance, the control module, for example, by a radio signal asks if it is available. Furthermore, then the exact time of this request signal or the sending of this request signal is detected in the home appliance. The operating module responds to this request signal in a defined manner by the specific detection signal. The central electronics of the domestic appliance registers the exact time of receipt of this detection signal from the operating module. From the time offset between the sending of the request signal and receiving the detection signal can then determine the central electronics of the domestic appliance due to the known duration of the signals exactly how far the control module is removed from the appliance. This transit time effect can be optimized if the detection signal is not sent as a radio signal, but, for example, as an ultrasonic signal. An essential advantage of this approach is that the propagation time of ultrasonic signals in air is much greater than that of radio signals.

It can be provided that the adjustment module additionally emits a further detection signal as an infrared signal, for example with a wavelength of 950 nm. While ultrasonic signals may also find their way around the corner from the control module to the central electronics in the domestic appliance, this is very difficult with infrared signals. Thus, its presence in the field of view and thus in particular in the vicinity of the central electronics and in particular also its distance or distance from the central electronics are determined in two different ways with respect to the operating module. In particular, the central electronics will only accept the permissibility of the operating actions transmitted by the operating module if both tests fail to satisfy the requirements. By such a double test with two detection signals, the safety is significantly increased with respect to the exact position determination of the control module relative to the domestic appliance.

It can be provided that the operating module has a first communication channel for transmitting the detection signals. In particular, it can also be provided that the operating module has a first different second communication channel for transmitting the radio signals. Such a channel separation allows an even more precise approach with regard to the transmission of the signals, in particular the different signals and the exact position determination.

Preferably, the transferable from the operating module to the household appliance operating information can be transmitted as radio signals. The actions of a user with the operating module to be performed with the operating settings of the domestic appliance are thus transmitted in particular as radio signals to the central electronics. Likewise, however, it is also possible to provide, for example, ultrasound signals or infrared signals. Analogously, the outputs for the status of the domestic appliance can be transmitted from the central electronics to the operating module. The two above-mentioned communication channels can be separated so that the signals are transmitted via one of the communication channels with regard to the information transmission of operating actions and the like. The other communication channel can be used to check the presence of the operating module in the vicinity and the exact distance determination of the operating module to the domestic appliance.

However, the signal transmission can also take place only via a communication channel, if the portable operating module has only a single such communication channel.

In particular, the presence of an operating module in the vicinity of central electronics of the domestic appliance is thus made possible by evaluation of a defined response in the form of a detection signal, which takes place in particular on a specific request from the central electronics to the operating module. In addition, in a specific manner, the recognition of the exact distance of the operating module to the domestic appliance can then be generated by, in particular, measuring the propagation time of signals when answering special requests in the form of the request signals.

Preferably, this portable operating module has an internal power supply unit. This may be, for example, a battery or a rechargeable battery or the like.

The domestic appliance can regularly send an additional request to the operating module according to a request signal, in which respect a request is included that the user proves his attention by a special operation of the operating module. In this regard, a corresponding signal can then be sent from the operating module to the domestic appliance and evaluated there. The transit time measurement of the signal of the distance determination can be done by combining two or more different transmission media or by identical transmission media. For example, the operating module can send its response in the form of the detection signal simultaneously by ultrasound and by radio. This minimizes the influence of any drifting runtime within the operating module. The information on the distance is then in the time difference between the arrival of the radio signal and the ultrasonic signal in the central electronics of the household appliance.

The distance measurement can in principle take place via a plurality of transmission channels, so that the operational reliability of the system is significantly increased by the redundancy of the information occurring in this way.

As different transmission channels, for example, optical transmission channels for transmitting infrared light can be made. Here, the detection of the position of the operating module in the vicinity can be done by the evaluation of the receiving energy or the detection of shadowing is performed.

In addition, as a transmission channel, an acoustic transmission by means of ultrasound, wherein the detection of the control module in the vicinity of energy measurements and / or transit time measurements takes place. In addition, a transmission channel or the medium can take place with regard to a magnetic evaluation, taking into account the evaluation of the received magnetic field strength. Furthermore, a transmission channel or a medium may be provided with regard to an electrostatic configuration, the evaluation of the received electric field strength also being used here for detecting the position in the near range. The same is done in a transmission channel with respect to an electromagnetic field with respect to radio signals.

It can also be provided that the control module is informed by the central electronics, how large is the current distance or whether visual contact exists, in which case, if necessary, in particular a corresponding optical plus acoustic error message.

The dialogue module or the operating module can also be docked with the domestic appliance with regard to its above-mentioned internal energy supply and, for example, recharged inductively in this docking position or parking position.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a system with a portable operating module according to the invention or an advantageous embodiment thereof and a domestic appliance.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for operating the domestic appliance with a portable operating module, which communicates wirelessly with the domestic appliance. A functional range of the operating module for operating the domestic appliance is activated as a function of the position of the operating module for the domestic appliance, wherein at least one predetermined detection signal is stored in the operating module for determining the position and is transmitted to the domestic appliance.

Advantageous embodiments of the portable operating module according to the invention are to be regarded as advantageous embodiments of the method according to the invention.

An embodiment of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to a schematic drawing. The single figure shows a plan view of an embodiment of a system according to the invention.

In the figure, a system 1 is shown, which comprises a hob 2 as a domestic appliance for preparing food.

The invention can be provided both for household appliances for preparing food and for home appliances for the care of laundry or for home appliances for cleaning dishes or for home appliances for storing or preserving food. In this context, for example, an oven, a Hob, a Dampfgargerät, a microwave oven, a tumble dryer, a washing machine, a washer-dryer, a dishwasher, a refrigerator, a freezer, etc. are called.

The hob 2 comprises a hob plate 3, which may be formed for example of glass ceramic. On the top 4 of the hob plate 3 cooking zones 5, 6, 7 and 8 are marked on which preparation vessels can be placed in order to prepare the food introduced therein by heating the cooking zones 5 to 8 can. The hob 2 also includes a main switch 9, with which the basic functions switching on and off the hob 2 are generated. In addition, the hob 2 includes central electronics 10, which can communicate with the main switch 9. In this regard, on the one hand the signal for switching on and off are transmitted from the main switch 9 to the central electronics 10 and on the other hand notified an operating status of the central electronics 10 to the main switch 9.

In addition, the hob 2 comprises a docking station 11. On this or on this, a portable separate control module 12 can be attached or inserted when it is not needed by a user or to recharge a power supply unit 13, which is integrated in the control module 12. The power supply unit 13 may be, for example, a rechargeable battery or a battery.

In the illustration according to the figure, the portable operating module 12 is separated from this docking station 11 and also removed from the hob 2. With the operating module 12, a user can operate the cooking field 2 and then also make adjustments or monitor operating conditions when he is not directly on the hob 2 itself. The full functionality of the separated operating module 12, however, this operating module 12 only if it is within a short range 14, which is delimited by the dashed line, located. The operating module 12 has one or more operating elements 15 and also a display unit 16.

In order to determine whether the operating module 12 is located in the removed state within the vicinity of the area 14, which also defines the field of view to the hob 2, takes place Position Determination of the Operating Module 12. For determining the position, at least one predetermined detection signal, which is stored in the operating module 12, is transmitted to the hob 2. This is done by first sending a request signal 18 from the cooktop 2, in particular the central electronic unit 10, to the operating module 12 via a first communication channel 17. The communication channel 17 is designed for wireless communication, wherein the request signal 18 is preferably a radio signal.

In the central unit 10, the time of sending the request signal 18 is registered. Likewise, a receiving time of a first detection signal 19 transmitted via the first communication channel 17 from the operating module 12 to the central electronic unit 10 is then registered. In the exemplary embodiment, this first detection signal 19 is an ultrasonic signal. From the time offset between the time of sending the request signal 18 and the time of receipt of the first detection signal 19, the central electronics 10 due to the known maturities of the signals can determine exactly whether the control module 12 is in the vicinity of 14 and beyond and at what distance the operating module 12 is located in the vicinity 14 to the hob 2.

In addition, it is provided in the exemplary embodiment that a second detection signal 20, which is an infrared signal, is transmitted via the first communication channel 17. As a result, the distance measurement of the operating module 12 to the hob 2 can be determined even more accurately.

In addition, it is provided in the exemplary embodiment that the system 1 has a second communication channel 21, which is likewise designed for bidirectional wireless signal transmission. About this particular information about the operating conditions and operating settings of the hob 2 are replaced by radio signals 22 and 23.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

system

2

hob

3

Hotplate

4

top

5

cooking zone

6

cooking zone

7

cooking zone

8th

cooking zone

9

main switch

10

Central electronics

11

docking station

12

adjustment module

13

Power supply unit

14

close range

15

Control / e

16

display unit

17

communication channel

18

request signal

19

detection signal

20

detection signal

21

communication channel

22

radio signal

23

radio signal

Claims (15)

Portable operating module for a domestic appliance (2), which is designed for wireless communication with the household appliance (2), characterized in that a functional scope of the operating module (12) for operating the domestic appliance (2) depending on the position of the operating module (12) Domestic appliance (2), wherein for determining the position at least one predetermined detection signal (19, 20) in the operating module (12) is stored and to the household appliance (2) is transferable. Portable operating module according to claim 1, characterized in that the transmission of a detection signal (19, 20) is dependent on receiving a request signal (18) of the domestic appliance (2). Portable operating module according to claim 2, characterized in that the request signal (18) is a radio signal. Portable operating module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a functional scope of the operating module (12) is activated when the operating module (12) in a vicinity (14) to the domestic appliance (2). Portable operating module according to claim 4, characterized in that the detection of the operating module (12) in a short range (14) is dependent on a period between sending the request signal (18) and receiving the detection signal (19, 20). Portable operating module according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that a full range of functions of the operating module (12) is activated when the operating module (12) at a certain distance from the domestic appliance (2) in the vicinity (14). Portable operating module according to one of the preceding Claims 4 to 6, characterized in that a first detection signal (19, 20) for determining whether the operating module (12) is in the near zone (14) is an ultrasonic signal (19). Portable operating module according to one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that a second detection signal (19, 20) for determining the distance of the operating module (12) to the domestic appliance (2) in the near area (14) is an infrared signal (20). Portable operating module according to one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that for determining the position at least two detection signals (19, 20) with different frequency spectra transferable, in particular simultaneously be emitted, are. Portable operating module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the operating module (12) has a first communication channel (17) for transmitting the detection signals (19, 20). Portable operating module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that from the operating module (12) to the domestic appliance (1) transferable operating information as radio signals (22) are transferable. Portable operating module according to claim 11, characterized in that the operating module (12) has a second communication channel (21) for transmitting the radio signals (22). Portable operating module according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has an internal power supply unit (13). System (1) with a portable operating module (12) according to one of the preceding claims and a domestic appliance (2). Method for operating a domestic appliance (2) with a portable operating module (12) which communicates wirelessly with the household appliance (2), characterized in that a functional scope of the operating module (12) for operating the domestic appliance (1) depends on the position of the operating module (12) is activated to the domestic appliance (2), wherein for determining the position at least one predetermined detection signal (19, 20) in the operating module (12) is stored and transmitted to the domestic appliance (2).

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