EP2983150A1 - Method for operating a domestic appliance with a control unit external to the domestic appliance and domestic appliance - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating a domestic appliance (2), in which an operating condition of the domestic appliance (2) is set by means of an external appliance control unit (3), wherein it is checked to carry out an operating condition setting whether the control unit (3) is in a communication area (3). 5) is arranged relative to the household appliance (2) and if this is the case, a precise relative reference position of the operating unit (3) to the household appliance (2) in the communication area (5) is determined. The invention also relates to a system (1) with a household appliance (2) and an operating unit (3).

Description

The invention relates to a method for operating a domestic appliance, in which an operating condition of the household appliance is set by means of a household appliance-external operating unit. Furthermore, the invention also relates to a system with a household appliance and an external control unit external to the household appliance, wherein the system is designed to carry out the method.

It is known that household appliances for the care of laundry or for preparing food or for cleaning crockery or for storing and preserving food with operating devices that are fixedly arranged on the devices themselves, operated and thus can be adjusted.

In addition, however, it is also known that such household appliances can be operated via either removable from the household appliance operating devices or completely household appliances external control units. This is for example from the EP 2 071 432 A1 known.

Furthermore, from the EP 2 647 916 A1 It is known that a domestic appliance with a control unit in the form of a smartphone or a tablet PC can be operated in such a way that cooking recipes can be offered and selected.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and a household appliance, with which or in which the setting of operating conditions by means of a household appliance-external control unit is improved.

This object is achieved by a method and by a household appliance according to the independent claims.

In a method according to the invention for operating a household appliance, an operating condition of the household appliance is set by means of an operating unit external to the household appliance.

An essential idea of the invention is to be seen in that it is checked to carry out an operating condition setting whether the operating unit is arranged in an environment around the household appliance relative to the household appliance. Thus, it is first checked at all whether the operating unit is present in a very specific intended communication area or not.

If the operating unit is detected in the communication area and thus detected, then an exact relative reference position of the operating unit to the household appliance in the communication area is first determined. This is also particularly advantageous in that the communication area is not only a single point or a single point, but rather a spatially defined structure, which is preferably significantly larger than the operating unit and is preferably formed adjacent to the household appliance. Since the operating unit can be located at different locations in such a communication area, it is particularly advantageous with the invention to first know this relative reference position of the operating unit in this communication area.

Preferably, in the position of the operating unit positioned in the relative reference position, an authorization for the further setting of an operating condition with the operating unit is released. This significantly increases the operating precision and operating safety.

Preferably, starting from the relative reference position, then taking place relative movements of the operating unit for operating condition setting of the household appliance are evaluated depending on this relative reference position, and the operating condition corresponding to the relative movement is set. This means that specific movements of the operating unit are assigned relative to the household appliance individual settings of the household appliance in terms of their operation and then the associated operating condition is selected or started or performed in a related detection. Also by this the precision of the

Operation of the household appliance via a defined moving control unit substantially increased. By being valid and recognized only within the communication area, many misinterpretations of a movement of the operating unit can already be avoided. For if a specific relative movement of the operating unit to the household appliance is carried out, which would then also result in a specific operating condition setting of the domestic appliance, and if this operating unit is not in the communication area, such an operating condition setting according to the invention does not take place.

Preferably, a desired relative reference position is selected user-individually prior to operating the household appliance, and this relative reference position is set and stored by an ongoing communication specification process between the household appliance and the operating unit prior to at least one subsequent operating condition setting process and is then valid for at least this subsequent operating condition setting process, but may be be valid for several subsequent operating condition setting operations. Thus, it can be provided that this relative reference position remains valid until it is explicitly changed again in a communication specification process. A high level of user-friendliness is given.

In particular, the relative reference position of the operating unit for the domestic appliance in the communication specification process is based on information acquired by at least one acceleration sensor in the operating unit and based on information acquired by at least one magnetic sensor in the operating unit and based on at least one of the operating units present in the operating unit Gyroscope sensor detected information intended. This is particularly advantageous because it uses multiple sensors present in the operating unit and a very accurate relative reference position specification is achieved by the type and number of sensors, which can then be recognized by their information in the following also by the same sensors, so that also Here, a high precision of the subsequent recognition of the relative reference position is achieved in subsequent operating condition setting operations starting from the relative reference position.

Preferably, as a relative reference position, a position of the operating unit placed on the household appliance or a position of the operating unit that is placed on a worktop adjacent to the household appliance is detected. These are very advantageous relative reference positions, since the operating units can then be determined very precise position to the household appliance. This has significant advantages compared to relative reference positions in which the control unit is held by a user in free space, because in such alternative relative reference positions a certain movement through the body part of the user can not be prevented, so that the exact position determination of the control unit relative to the home appliance here can not be made as accurate.

Preferably, a linear movement of the operating unit in a horizontal plane is defined as a relative movement of the operating unit. This is a very simple movement, which can be carried out in a very targeted manner with regard to orientation and length, in particular when the operating unit remains arranged on another object, such as the household appliance itself or a worktop adjacent thereto. The detection of this movement is thereby also simplified and more precisely possible, which brings significant advantages for the operator accuracy and user satisfaction with a user.

It can also be provided that a relative movement of the operating unit is a rotation of the operating unit in a horizontal plane. This is a very simple movement, which can be carried out in a very targeted manner with regard to orientation and length, in particular when the operating unit remains arranged on another object, such as the household appliance itself or a worktop adjacent thereto. This additional or alternative relative movement to the already mentioned above linear displacement also allows the advantages mentioned.

It can also be provided that a tilting of the operating unit is defined as a relative movement in a horizontal plane extending axis of rotation. This is a very simple movement that can be carried out very purposefully with regard to the orientation and the length, especially if the control unit is doing on another object, such as the home appliance itself or one adjacent worktop, arranged remains. Again, this is a very simple move that also brings the benefits outlined above.

It is preferably provided that the relative reference position is predetermined by a horizontal orientation of a plane in which the plate-shaped operating unit extends. This is a very advantageous embodiment, since on the one hand the control unit by its plate shape by a user can be easily grasped and operated anyway, on the other hand is designed very flat construction and is easy portable and easy to handle. Moreover, it is then particularly advantageous in such plate-shaped operating units to provide display areas and / or operating areas on as large a surface as possible given by the plate shape. As a result, the operation of the control unit itself is much easier and clearer. Since even with such a plate-shaped operating units then the form-related laying on or putting on the household appliance itself or on an adjacent worktop is so advantageous that a very large-area support is made possible by the plate shape, and thus also the orientation in which forms a plane in which extends the plate shape, advantageously parallel to the support plane of the household appliance or the worktop occurs, this horizontal orientation is very beneficial. An undesired slippage of the operating unit or a general unwanted moving out of the relative reference position moving out is thereby avoided. As a result of this refinement, a positionally stable placement of the operating unit is made possible and, based on this, a very targeted relative movement is possible.

Preferably, a relative movement is determined on the basis of information detected by at least one acceleration sensor present in the operating unit and information recorded on the basis of information acquired by at least one magnetic sensor (magnetometer) present in the operating unit and information based on a gyroscope sensor present in the operating unit. This is a particularly advantageous embodiment. For by means of this particular three-dimensionally detecting sensors in particular a highly accurate motion detection of the relative movement of the operating unit can be made possible. A very precise orientation is achieved, whereby a significantly increased operating accuracy of the household appliance is achieved. The acceleration sensor and The magnetometer and the gyroscope thus preferably enable a nine-axis measurement.

It can also be provided that the operating unit additionally has a tilt sensor and / or an NFC (Near Field Communication) sensor.

In an advantageous embodiment, a calibration is first performed. In particular, the operating unit is brought to a predetermined initialization point, in particular to the household appliance, for calibration during an initialization process. An initialization position between the operating unit and the household appliance is determined at this initialization point, from which then a relative reference position deviating locally from the initialization position is subsequently determined in a subsequent operating condition setting process. By means of such a calibration, virtually any desired number of different relative reference positions, in particular in the communication area, can then be precisely determined, in each case by the initialization process, in particular the orientation and / or the distance to the operating unit from the household appliance, in particular in the comparison between the relative reference position and the initialization position can be determined. By such a procedure, highly precise determinations of the relative movement of an operating unit to the household appliance can be made possible.

Preferably, to set an operating condition of the household appliance, an operating program stored in the operating unit is started and an operating element is actuated on the household appliance. Depending on this start of the operating program and also the operation of the operating element, a wireless communication connection between the household appliance and the operating unit is activated. In particular, a Bluetooth interface is activated by these two actions, for example, so that a communication between the household appliance and the control unit can take place via this interface. In principle, however, it is also possible for other, in particular short-range, wireless communication connections to be present, which are then activated.

Preferably, the relative reference position of the operating unit is determined after the activation of the wireless communication connection. Also by this approach, at which firstly activates this established wireless communication link, increased security is achieved in order not to misinterpret any movements of the operating unit erroneously as relative movements, which are performed to set an operating condition.

Preferably, the movement of the operating unit and thus each adjustable operating condition is displayed on a display unit of the operating unit and / or on a display unit of the household appliance. This is a particularly advantageous embodiment, as this also makes the user easily traceable and quasi optically marked a guide to where he has to move his control unit to then reach the associated operating condition setting.

Preferably adjustable operating conditions are displayed on a first display level and further adjustable operating conditions displayed on a second display level, wherein a change of the display level by a relative movement representing display change movement of the operating unit. This embodiment prevents an information overload to a user on a single display level. Moreover, such a gradation into different display levels, which are then each indicated by a defined display change, also provides an intuitive logical operating concept for a user. In addition, the change of the display level is also made extremely easy, because he can very quickly and easily change the display levels by a very specific movement of the control unit. Preferably, also on the first display level or on the respectively existing display level, which is currently displayed, the display change movement is also indicated, so that here can be easily reconstructed by a user, as he also turn the display level by the movement of the control unit can.

Preferably, a symbolic display of functional units of the household appliance is performed on the first display level, which can then be selected by respective, in particular also specifically displayed associated relative movement of the operating unit. It is particularly advantageous in the context that on the flat display of the control unit and / or on the display unit of the household appliance already by the local location of the symbols a certain Direction preset for the relative movement of the operating unit to be performed is specified and / or displayed by a certain symbol representation or a movement symbol, for example an arrow, the movement of the operating unit to be performed for selecting the associated functional unit. For example, a straight-oriented arrow here symbolize a straight-line displacement movement to be carried out in this direction. An arrow with a specific curvature can in this context symbolize a rotational movement in a horizontal plane or by a different rotation of the arrow a tilting movement of the operating unit out of the horizontal plane. As a result, the relative movement of the operating unit to be carried out by a user is very quickly and intuitively comprehensible on the one hand by very simple symbols.

Preferably, at least one parameter of the selected functional unit is then displayed on the second display level, which can be selected by specific associated relative movements and / or set in terms of value. By virtue of this stepped structure of the display levels and the information which is then logically displayed individually in each case, the domestic appliance can then be operated in a very intuitive and targeted manner starting from a selection of a functional unit up to the parameter setting of this functional unit.

Preferably, in addition to operating the household appliance, the operating unit is designed as an additional function at least for telephoning and / or at least for communicating with the Internet. This is a particularly advantageous embodiment, since thus the operating unit is designed to be multifunctional and not only suitable for operating the household appliance itself. By such a configuration, for example, a communication terminal, such as a mobile phone, such as a smartphone, or a tablet PC can be used as a control unit for the household appliance.

In particular, it is provided that when performing an additional function, and thus for example in a telephone conversation or in a communication with the Internet, the operation of the household appliance with the operating unit is prevented at least up to an emergency operation. As a result, high safety requirements are met.

Preferably, it is provided that the household appliance is designed with a domestic appliance operating device, which compared to the household appliance external control unit has a reduced possibility of Betriebsbedingugneinstellungen for the household appliance. In particular, it is provided that only a switching on and off of the household appliance is made possible with the household appliance operating device. This makes it possible to perform at least basic settings when the household appliance external control unit was misplaced or lost or if a communication between the household appliance and the household appliance external control unit is not sufficient or not possible, for example, because a battery of the control unit is empty.

Preferably, in such an embodiment, it is then provided that the operating conditions of the domestic appliance set prior to the activation of telephoning or communication with the Internet are retained. Only then, when the phone calls is completed and / or the communication with the Internet is terminated, then the functionality of the operating unit for operating the household appliance can be reactivated.

In particular, this can be provided if the operating unit for telephoning, for example for accepting an incoming call or for performing a initiated from the control unit from telephone conversation in the communication area is specifically led to the user and / or moved out of the communication area. Even then relative movements, which actually serve more to make a desired telephone call and / or communication with the Internet, can not be misinterpreted as relative movements to operate the household appliance.

Preferably, the operating mode for operating the household appliance is automatically enabled or disabled depending on the activation and deactivation of the additional function.

In the method according to the invention, it is also provided in particular that the operating unit only by a relative movement to the household appliance a Operating condition setting causes without a user also a surface of the operating unit, via which a display unit and / or controls of the operating unit are actuated by touch, must be touched. Thus, in particular, a method is proposed in which operating conditions of the domestic appliance can be set without touching a touch-sensitive operating surface of the operating unit, by which operating elements and / or a display unit can be operated, only by a relative movement of the operating unit to the household appliance. By such a configuration can be avoided that especially in specific household appliances, such as cooking appliances or a dishwasher or a refrigerator or a freezer, in which the user can get dirty fingers during operation of the respective household appliance, by means of the movement of the operating unit and without touching it the specific touch-sensitive panels can make a setting of the household appliance. Contamination of the control unit can be avoided.

It may also be provided that the operating unit is arranged in a specific protective cover, so that even during operation, for example in cooking appliances, splashing fat or other liquids can not reach the operating unit and thus does not pollute it.

Further features of the invention will become apparent from the claims, the figures and the description of the figures. The features and feature combinations mentioned above in the description as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned below in the description of the figures and / or shown alone in the figures can be used not only in the respectively specified combination but also in other combinations or in isolation, without the scope of To leave invention. Thus, embodiments of the invention are to be regarded as encompassed and disclosed, which are not explicitly shown and explained in the figures, however, emerge and can be produced by separated combinations of features from the embodiments explained.

Fig. 1

eine vereinfachte perspektivische Darstellung eines Ausführungsbeispiels eines erfindungsgemäßen Systems;

Fig. 2

eine vereinfachte Draufsicht auf eine Bedieneinheit mit verschiedenen Möglichkeiten von Relativbewegungen;

Fig. 3

eine schematische Seitenansicht einer Bedieneinheit, die in eine weitere spezifische Relativposition bewegbar ist;

Fig. 4

eine schematische Draufsicht auf eine Anzeigeeinheit der Bedieneinheit des Systems gemäß Fig. 1 mit einer ersten Anzeigeebene;

Fig. 5

eine Draufsicht gemäß Fig. 4 mit einer Darstellung einer zweiten Anzeigeebene;

Fig. 6

eine Draufsicht gemäß Fig. 4 auf eine dritte Anzeigeebene;

Fig. 7

eine Draufsicht gemäß Fig. 4 auf eine vierte Anzeigeebene;

Fig. 8

eine Draufsicht auf eine zweite Anzeigeebene auf der Bedieneinheit zum Bedienen eines weiteren Ausführungsbeispiels eines Haushaltsgeräts; und

Fig. 9

eine Darstellung einer zweiten Anzeigeebene auf der Bedieneinheit zum Betreiben eines dritten Ausführungsbeispiels eines Haushaltsgeräts.

Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to schematic drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1

a simplified perspective view of an embodiment of a system according to the invention;

Fig. 2

a simplified plan view of an operating unit with different possibilities of relative movements;

Fig. 3

a schematic side view of an operating unit which is movable in a further specific relative position;

Fig. 4

a schematic plan view of a display unit of the operating unit of the system according to Fig. 1 with a first display level;

Fig. 5

a plan view according to Fig. 4 with a representation of a second display level;

Fig. 6

a plan view according to Fig. 4 on a third display level;

Fig. 7

a plan view according to Fig. 4 on a fourth display level;

Fig. 8

a plan view of a second display level on the operating unit for operating a further embodiment of a household appliance; and

Fig. 9

a representation of a second display level on the operating unit for operating a third embodiment of a household appliance.

In the figures, identical or functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference numerals.

In Fig. 1 is shown in a perspective view of a system 1, which has at least one household appliance 2. The household appliance 2 is in the embodiment, a hob, the system 1 beyond, for example, in addition to or instead of an oven and / or a household appliance for the care of laundry, such as a washing machine or a tumble dryer, and / or a household appliance for cleaning dishes , as For example, a dishwasher, and / or a household appliance for storing and preserving food and / or may have a fume hood.

The system 1 also includes a household appliance external rectangular and plate-shaped operating unit 3, which is designed as a mobile portable unit. In the exemplary embodiment, the hob 2 is arranged in a recess in a worktop 4. It is envisaged that the hob 2 is adjustable relative to the household appliance 2 in its operating conditions depending on specific relative movements of the operating unit 3.

To carry out an operating condition setting of the household appliance 2, it is first checked whether the operating unit 3 is arranged in a communication area 5 relative to the household appliance 2. The communication area 5 is defined in the exemplary embodiment as a spatial area which forms above the hob 3 and also extends in particular in all four directions in the horizontal plane and thus in the x-z plane.

The communication area 5 in the context is preferably dimensioned so that it extends from the household appliance 2 upwards approximately over a height and thus in the y-direction less than 50 cm. Preferably, this communication area 5 extends in the x-z plane over the dimensions of the cooktop 2 and, moreover, also on the four sides, in each case additionally also over preferably 50 cm.

The operating unit 3 is designed for wireless communication with a communication unit 6 of the household appliance 2. Preferably, a communication via a Bluetooth interface is provided here.

If the operating unit 3 is located within the communication area 5 and if this is detected, then at least one relative movement of the operating unit 3 for operating condition setting of the household appliance 2 is evaluated as a function of a relative reference position and the operating condition corresponding to the relative movement is then set. The relative reference position of the operating unit 3 to the household appliance 2 within the communication area 5 is determined beforehand. It can be provided in particular that the relative reference position is specified user-individually. For this purpose, the user can position the operating unit 3 at a desired location and start a communication specification process. For this purpose, in particular, an operating program is started on the operating unit 3, which then establishes a wireless communication connection between the household appliance 2 and the operating unit 3. By means of the sensors present in the operating unit 3, relating to an acceleration sensor, a magnetic sensor and a gyrsocope sensor, the exact position for the household appliance 2 is then detected and can then be stored as a user-specific relative reference position.

Preferably, whenever in a Betriebsbedingungseinstellungsvorgang the operating unit 3 is placed in this relative reference position and this is recognized, a user authorization enabled or detected and it can only be done starting from this relative reference position setting an operating condition of the household appliance 2, in particular by performing a Relative movement of the operating unit 3, starting from the relative reference position and / or at least one time actuating at least one operating element of the operating unit 3.

Preferably, for calibration, in particular at the beginning of the first-time operation of the household appliance 2 or the system 1 in an initialization process, the operating unit 3 is brought to a predetermined initialization point, for example the point 7. As a result, a specific initialization position between the operating unit 3 and the domestic appliance 2 is determined, in particular from which then, in the further operation of the household appliance 2, a relative reference position deviating locally from the initialization position is determined. By thus determining this calibration with respect to the local position of the operating unit 3, a relative reference position can then be determined very precisely in each case subsequently.

Since a wide variety of relative reference positions of the operating unit 3 can occur in the communication area 5 due to its expansion, a corresponding exact recognition is required in order to be able to accurately detect and interpret the additional relative movements occurring as a function of the relative reference position.

In the exemplary embodiment it is shown that an operation of the household appliance 2 is carried out, in which case the initialization process has already taken place. The control unit 3 is placed in the communication area 5 side of the household appliance 2 and thus next to this on the countertop 4. The operating unit 3 is located in the communication area 5, this being detected on the basis of the communication between the operating unit 3 and the household appliance 2, in particular the unit 6. It is provided that as a relative reference position a launched on the household appliance 2 position of the operating unit 3 or, as in Fig. 1 1, a position of the operating unit 3 placed on a work surface 4 adjoining the household appliance 2 is detected.

In addition, the relative reference position of the operating unit 3 is predetermined by a horizontal orientation of a plane in which the plate-shaped operating unit 3 extends. The operating unit 3 is thus formed, as it were, as a preferably rectangular plate which has a display unit and / or operating elements on a surface 3a. Preferably, the display unit and / or the operating elements are designed as touch-sensitive control panels.

In the embodiment shown, this extension plane of the operating unit 3 is the x-z plane. This is parallel to the horizontal plane, which also extends in the x-z plane.

If, starting from this relative reference position of the operating unit 3, then this operating unit 3 is gripped by a user and a defined relative movement takes place in the communication area 5 relative to the household appliance 2, this is detected.

In the exemplary embodiment, the operating unit 3 comprises at least one acceleration sensor and at least one magnetic sensor and at least one gyroscope sensor. An extremely accurate detection of the relative movement and thus also the respective orientation of the operating unit 3 to the household appliance 2 is made possible.

In particular, it is provided that for setting an operating condition of the household appliance 2, first an operating program, for example a so-called "app" is started on the control unit. In particular, as already explained above, a wireless communication connection is thus activated on the control unit side, which may be, for example, the Bluetooth connection. Preferably, by additionally actuating an operating element, in particular a main switch of a household appliance 2, the household appliance side also activates a communication connection, which may also be the Bluetooth connection. In addition, a communication connection between the household appliance 2 and the control unit 3 is then established. In this connection, the relative reference position of the operating unit 3 can then be determined below.

If an operating condition is then to be set, a relative movement is carried out on the basis of this detected relative reference position of the operating unit 3. The relative reference position is given by a horizontal orientation of a plane in which the plate shape of the operating unit 3 extends, and thus the x-z plane. In the exemplary embodiment here are straight shifts, especially in the horizontal plane and thus in the xz plane, and / or rotating the control unit 3 in this horizontal plane about an axis perpendicular to the horizontal plane, and / or tilting of the control unit 3 to one in the Horizontal plane extending tilt axis defined as relative movements.

In Fig. 2 is shown in a plan view, for example, the operating unit 3 in a relative reference position. Based on this, the exemplary arrows 8, 9, 10 and 11 indicate the rectilinear displacement possibilities in the horizontal plane as relative movements.

It can also be provided that the already mentioned rotational movement is performed about a rotational axis oriented perpendicular to the figure axis and thus a further relative movement can take place in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction.

In Fig. 3 is shown in a schematic vertical sectional view and thus in the yz plane a further relative movement, in which case a tilting movement of the control unit 3 upwards starting from the relative reference position, in which the control unit 3 rests completely on the top of the worktop 4, about an axis 13 as symbolized by the arrow 12.

The operating unit 3 is in particular a communication terminal and can be, for example, a mobile telephone, in particular a smartphone, or a tablet PC. The operating unit 3 is thus multifunctional and, in addition to its functionality for operating and thus setting the household appliance 2, can also be used for household appliance-independent functions, for example telephoning and / or communication on the Internet.

Hereinafter, exemplary operating condition settings of home appliances will be explained.

This is in Fig. 4 the upper side 3a of the operating unit 3 is shown by way of example. Here is a first display level shown. As can be seen, a symbol is shown in this embodiment at very specific positions on the surface 3a, which on the one hand characterizes a specific domestic appliance, on the other hand characterizes specific functional units. In the context, a symbol 14 in the 12 o'clock position shows a household appliance contained in the system 1 in the form of a fume hood. In addition, a symbol 15 is shown in the 6 o'clock position, which symbolizes an oven, which can also be integrated in the system 1.

In addition, by the symbols 16, 17, 18 and 19 are each a specific functional unit of the household appliance 2, which is shown as a hob shown. As functional units of the cooktop, possible cooking zones 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d are shown here. The symbols 16 to 19 are here in each case on the specific positions in the circumferential direction between on the one hand the 12 o'clock position and the 3 o'clock position, the 3 o'clock position and the 6 o'clock position, the 6 o'clock position and the 9 o'clock position as well as the 9 o'clock position and the 12 o'clock position.

Moreover, an additional motion symbol 14a, 15a, 16a, 17a, 18a, and 19a is spatially assigned to each of these symbols 14 through 19. These each represent straight-line arrows, with which the observing user on this first display level the exact direction of the relative movement to be performed, in particular a straight-line shift in the respective arrow direction, is displayed. By performing this relative movement, a respective selection of the respective assigned functional unit or the associated household appliance can then take place.

In addition, on this first display level in Fig. 4 another symbol 20 is shown, which is shown in particular at the 3 o'clock position. Also, this is a further movement symbol 20a assigned locally, which in turn represents a straight-line arrow. By moving the operation unit 3 in this direction in accordance with the movement symbol 20a, a setting menu is displayed, with which various basic settings of the household appliance, such as setting a time, date, etc., can be performed from operating condition settings.

In the context, a scenario is explained, for example, in which by moving the operating unit 3 in the direction according to the movement symbol 15a and the relative movement then accompanied by a selection of the household appliance completed and thus quasi the oven is selected. Automatically takes place then also a change of the display level on the top side 3a and then there is the representation of the second display level, as in Fig. 5 is shown. In this case, the icon 15 is then shown in particular in the center, in order to indicate to the user the selection of this specific household appliance, namely the oven. On this second display level, in turn, a display of possible parameters to be selected and set parameters of this oven is then again only locally to understand understood. For example, here a symbol 21 is shown, which represents a program automatic. If the operating unit 3 is then moved in the direction of the movement symbol 21a, this selection of the program automatic takes place. In addition, another symbol 22 is shown with a movement symbol 22a on this second display level, which offers a specific type of heating as a further option.

In addition, a symbol 23 with the associated motion symbol 23a shows the possibility of selecting a pyrolysis operation. In addition, another symbol 24 with assigned motion symbol 24a makes it possible to display and select stored memory settings. In addition, by a symbol 25 with the associated motion symbol 25a the return to the first display level according to Fig. 4a given.

In an exemplary explanation, an additional third display level is then also to be made possible. If, for example, the operating unit 3 is then moved with a relative movement in the direction of the movement symbol 22a, then, as shown in FIG Fig. 6 the third display level is automatically displayed and the possible types of heating to be set are listed in particular in a list. As can be seen, can be jumped by the further symbols 26 with the then to be carried out rotational movement in this horizontal plane according to the motion symbol 26a in the counterclockwise direction in the list by one line up. By a further symbol 27 with associated motion symbol 27a can thus be jumped by then turning the control unit 3 clockwise in this horizontal plane in the list one line down. If the desired type of heating is then achieved, then by means of a further symbol 28 with associated movement symbol 28a and thus according to the relative movement of the operating unit 3, this desired type of heating can then be selected and activated.

In the embodiment, it is provided that then also a fourth display level is possible. In this fourth display level as shown in Fig. 7 Parameter values can then be set, for example also information in the household appliance and / or the selected types of heating and / or time durations for program operation and / or start / stop functions and / or rapid heating and / or alarm function and / or a possibility of End time shift of the set program can be selected and set.

In Fig. 8 In a further embodiment, a second display level for a hob is shown. Is based on the representation in Fig. 4 In this first display level, for example, a relative movement in the direction of the movement symbol 18 a is performed, the left front cooking zone 2 c of the cooking appliance 2 designed as a hob is selected, and the in Fig. 8 shown second display level. In this then, for example, in turn, a boost function and / or a Zonenzuschaltfunktion and / or a time function for setting the duration of the program and / or a cooking stage and / or a Bratsensorik and / or an alarm function and / or a Ankochstoßfunktion and / or a Off function for the respective hob or cooking zone are offered.

In Fig. 9 a further embodiment of a second display level for the extractor hood is shown. Again, then, for example, a boost function or a light function and / or a Lüfternachlauffunktion and / or an intensity level of the extractor and / or a switch-off function for the extractor to select possible.

It is also provided in the embodiments that when the operating unit 3 is active for setting operating conditions and is used when performing an additional function, the possibility of operating condition adjustment is completely prevented or at least reduced to the extent that only emergency operations are possible.

Thus, for example, provided during the active setting of an operating condition of the household appliance 2 by the operating unit 3 receives a call and / or another message, for example, via the Internet, is transmitted to the control unit 3, the active full operation for operating condition setting so long is maintained as long as the control unit 3 is not moved further. If, however, the operating unit 3 is then lifted, for example, and possibly also additionally moved out of the communication area 5, the at least reduction to the possibility of the emergency operation takes place. This is done automatically.

If the telephone call is then terminated again and / or the communication via the Internet is ended, and in particular then the operating unit 3 is again introduced into the communication area 5, then the active operation for setting the operating condition of the household appliance 2 with the operating unit 3 can be continued or reactivated become. In particular, the relative reference position is then again determined first, since usually and with the highest probability this relative reference position is no longer the same as it was when the operating unit 3 was moved to perform the additional function by the user.

Preferably, it is provided that the household appliance 2 also has a household appliance-internal operating device, so that the device 2 itself can be a setting of operating conditions. Preferably, however, the scope of the adjustment options on the domestic appliance operating device is reduced compared to the operation via the household appliance-external operating unit. Especially is provided that on the household appliance control only switching on and off the household appliance is enabled.

Preferably, it is also provided that the symbol 20 and the movement symbol 20a are displayed only on the first display level.

The invention provides a very simple and user-friendly operating concept for systems in which the operating condition adjustment of a household appliance is made possible by a relative movement of a portable operating unit relative to the household appliance. In addition, this operating condition setting is also very safe, so that safety-critical conditions on the one hand and unwanted incorrect settings on the other hand can be avoided.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

system

2

household appliance

2a, 2b, 2c, 2d

cooking zones

3

operating unit

3a

top

4

countertop

5

communication area

6

communication unit

7

Initialisierungsstelle

8, 9, 10, 11, 12

arrows

13

axis

14

symbol

14a

motion icon

15

symbol

15a

motion icon

16

symbol

16a

motion icon

17

symbol

17a

motion icon

18

symbol

18a

motion icon

19

symbol

19a

motion icon

20

symbol

20a

motion icon

21

symbol

21

motion icon

22

symbol

22a

motion icon

23

symbol

23a

motion icon

24

symbol

24

motion icon

25

symbol

25a

motion icon

26

symbol

26a

motion icon

27

symbol

27a

motion icon

28

symbol

28a

motion icon

Claims (15)

Method for operating a domestic appliance (2), in which an operating condition of the domestic appliance (2) is set by means of a household appliance-external control unit (3), characterized in that an operating condition setting is checked to determine whether the control unit (3) is in a communication area (5 ) is arranged relative to the household appliance (2) and, if this is the case, a precise relative reference position of the operating unit (3) to the household appliance (2) in the communication area (5) is determined. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that in the relative reference position positioned state of the operating unit (3) an authorization for with the operating unit (3) takes place further setting an operating condition is released. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a desired relative reference position before operating the household appliance (1) is selected user-individually and this relative reference position by a communication specification process between the household appliance (1) and the operating unit (3) before a subsequent at least one Operating condition setting process is set and stored. A method according to claim 3, characterized in that the relative reference position of the operating unit (3) to the household appliance (1) in the communication specification process on the basis of one of at least one in the operating unit (3) existing acceleration sensor information and on the basis of one of at least one in the Operating unit (3) existing magnetic sensor detected information and on the basis of one of at least one in the operating unit (3) existing gyroscope sensor detected information is determined. A method according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that for detecting a relative reference position in the communication specification process in the operating unit (3) stored operating program is started and an operating element on the household appliance (2) is actuated, wherein by the two acts a wireless communication link between the household appliance (2) and the control unit (3) is activated. A method according to claim 5, characterized in that after the activation of the wireless communication connection, the relative reference position of the operating unit is determined. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that defined as a relative reference position on the household appliance (2) position of the operating unit (3) or on a on the household appliance (2) adjacent worktop (4) launched position of the operating unit (3) is and / or the relative reference position by a horizontal orientation of a plane in which the plate-shaped operating unit (3) extends, is predetermined. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, starting from the relative reference position, at least one relative movement of the operating unit (3) for setting the operating condition of the domestic appliance (2) is evaluated as a function of this relative reference position and the operating condition corresponding to the relative movement is set. A method according to claim 8, characterized in that as a relative movement, a rectilinear displacement of the operating unit (3) in a horizontal plane in the state of the operating unit (3) placed on an object (2, 4) is defined and / or as a relative movement a rotation of the Operating unit (3) is defined in a horizontal plane in the state of the operating unit (3) placed on an object (2, 4) and / or a tilting of the operating unit (3) is defined as a relative movement about an axis of rotation extending in a horizontal plane. Method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that a relative movement is based on information acquired by at least one acceleration sensor present in the operating unit (3) and on the basis of information acquired by at least one magnetic sensor present in the operating unit (3) and based on a is determined by at least one in the operating unit (3) existing gyroscope sensor information. Method according to one of the preceding claims 8 to 10, characterized in that feasible relative movements of the operating unit (3) and thus each adjustable operating conditions on a display unit of the control unit (3) and / or on a display unit of the household appliance (2) are displayed symbolically. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that adjustable operating conditions are symbolically displayed on a first display level and further adjustable operating conditions are displayed symbolically on a second display level, wherein a change of the display levels by a display change movement (20a, 25a) of the operating unit (3) he follows. Method according to claim 12 and one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that on the first display level functional units (2a to 2c) of the domestic appliance (2) are symbolically displayed, which can be selected by specific associated relative movements of the operating unit (3), and on the second display level, parameters of the selected functional unit (2a to 2c) can be displayed, which can be selected by specific associated relative movements and / or value-adjusted. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the operating unit (3) is in addition to operating the household appliance (2) as an additional function for telephoning and / or communication with the Internet, in particular when performing the additional function, the operation of the household appliance (2 ) is prevented at least until an emergency operation. System (1) with a household appliance (2) and an operating unit (3) for operating the household appliance (2), wherein the system (1) is designed to carry out a method according to one of the preceding claims.

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