EP3365488A1

EP3365488A1 - Touch-sensitive operating display for setting a program of a domestic appliance, and corresponding method

Info

Publication number: EP3365488A1
Application number: EP16779044.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Stefan Lukschnat; Alexander Sing; Andreas Oberschmid; Michael Oblinger; Cornelia Schwarz; Johannes Jall
Original assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Current assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Priority date: 2015-10-19
Filing date: 2016-10-05
Publication date: 2018-08-29
Anticipated expiration: 2036-10-05
Also published as: CN108138425A; PL3365488T3; EP3365488B1; DE102015220282A1; WO2017067785A1; US20190150702A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a touch-sensitive operating display (1, 8, 12, 18) for setting a program of a household appliance, to a household appliance (14, 15) comprising such an operating display, to a computer program product, and to a corresponding method (M). The household appliance has multiple different programs, each of which can be defined using multiple parameters that are interdependent. The operating display has multiple display regions (2, 3, 4), each of which represents a parameter. By touching the operating display, the parameters of the display regions (2, 3, 4) can be changed. However, a change of a parameter of one display region leads to the simultaneous change of the parameter of another display region.

Description

Touch-sensitive operating display for setting a program of a household appliance and associated method

The present invention relates to a touch-sensitive operation display for setting a program of a household appliance, wherein the home appliance has a plurality of different programs. The operator display may be attached to a home appliance, such as a home appliance. a dishwasher or a washing machine, or be realized by means of a generic mobile terminal. Moreover, the present invention relates to a method for setting a program of a household appliance.

Currently, all commercially available dishwashers work quite similarly. First, the user turns on the dishwasher and then selects a washing program. The wash programs differ in terms of their running time, their cleaning performance, the energy they consume, and the sounds that cause them. Programs such as AUTO 35 ° -45 °, AUTO 55 ° -65 °, PRE-WASH, QUICK RINSE and ECO 50 ° are frequently offered. Often, additional options can be selected to perfect the wash result or to customize it. For example, a special drying, a disinfection, a power saving mode, and the like may be selected. Again, these options affect runtime, consumed energy, and other parameters of the wash program. Pressing a control knob and / or closing the dishwasher door then starts the selected program. A problem with this just described setting methodology is that the user is usually unaware of the effects of his selection. Often, the program is chosen almost randomly or simply because of habit.

Starting from the prior art, it is an object of the present invention to propose a touch-sensitive operation display for setting a program of a household appliance, which allows a more intuitive selection of the program. In addition, a related suitable method for setting a program of a household appliance should be specified. These objects are achieved by the subject-matter of the independent claims. The dependent claims represent embodiments of the invention. Accordingly, the invention comprises a touch-sensitive operation display for setting a program of a household appliance, wherein the household appliance has a plurality of different programs. The affected household appliance may be, for example, a dishwasher or a washing machine and the programs mentioned are cleaning programs. The programs can each be described by means of several parameters between which there is a dependency.

The interdependencies between the parameters are well known and have already been described, for example, in the late 1950s by surfactant chemist Dr. Ing. Herbert Sinner described (see, for example, magazine Beverage Industry 1 1/2004, pages 98 - 104: The Sinner'sche Kreis: the basis of a successful cleaning and disinfection). Mr. Sinner argued that every cleaning process has four basic parameters, namely, the chemistry (the detergent), the mechanics, the temperature, and the time. In simple terms, this means, for example, that a cleaning process can be performed faster if a sharper cleaning agent is used or more mechanical energy is used. A higher temperature additionally has a positive effect on the required time. If, on the other hand, you want to use a largely cold rinsing liquid and a gentle cleaning agent is used, you need to rinse harder and longer.

An idea of the present invention is now to make the dependencies between the parameters of the programs for the user of the household appliance visible.

Accordingly, the operating display according to the invention has a plurality of display areas, each of which represents a parameter. The parameters of the display areas or the display areas themselves can be changed by touching the operating display. If now a change of a parameter of a display area is performed, a parameter of another display area is also changed at the same time. In particular, a parameter of the one display area can be increased when a parameter of the other display area is reduced. In this case, there is a conflict of objectives (now a trade-off) between the two parameters. For example, a parameter may be a power parameter that describes an amount of energy consumed by the execution of the program. Another parameter may be a time parameter that describes a time that the program needs for a run. Preferably, yet another parameter is a noise level parameter indicative of a noise level resulting from the execution of the program.

If the user of a dishwasher now wants to reduce the time required, this can be achieved, for example, by spraying the rinsing liquid into the dishwasher at an increased pressure, which, however, results in a higher noise level. If the water is heated more, a time reduction of the rinsing process would be possible without increasing the injection pressure.

With the solution proposed here, the user can thus intuitively grasp the selection of the program, as he can optimally weigh up his wishes with regard to the required time, the energy consumed and the volume produced. He can enter wishes regarding time and see how this affects the volume and the energy consumed. Since the volume and the required energy can certainly be exchanged for each other, he can select the most pleasant balance between these two parameters by means of a further adjustment process.

The operating display presented here may, for example, have a touch display and / or also setting knobs. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the operation display, two display areas adjoin each other, and the operation display is arranged such that a boundary between two display areas can be shifted by touching the operation display, thereby enlarging a parameter of one display area and decreasing a parameter of the other display area , For example, you can the display areas are circular or triangular. This direct juxtaposition of the display areas makes it intuitively possible to visualize the exchange ratio between two parameters. In some embodiments, the operator panel has a selection area that can be used by the user to describe a condition of a good to be handled by the program. In the state of the good may be, for example, a degree of contamination of the goods, so that in the selection area ultimately a cleaning performance to be performed is selected. The operating display is preferably set up such that an average state of the goods is already preselected in the selection area. In this way, the user only has to make a selection in the selection area if the condition of the item deviates from an average condition, for example if the dishes are particularly dirty or if they are only champagne glasses.

The operator panel may also have an input area that can be used to describe a chemical used by the household appliance. The chemical may be, for example, a detergent, such as a dishwashing detergent or a detergent for a washing machine. As already explained above with reference to the Sinner circle, by means of a particularly sharp cleaning agent an improved cleaning performance can be achieved with otherwise identical parameters.

A representation of the multiple display areas and / or the parameters of the multiple display areas may depend on an input entered via the selection area and / or the input area. If the display areas are arranged in a circle, for example, the circle can be made larger if a particularly high cleaning performance is to be provided. Similarly, in a triangular representation, a smaller triangle can be displayed if a particularly concentrated or powerful cleaning agent is used.

The representation of the multiple display areas and / or the parameters of the multiple display areas may also depend on a sensory detected value. So it is conceivable, for example, that a dishwasher automatically detects how sharp that of it is used detergent. In the same way, it can be seen by examining the turbidity of the rinsing water, how high a degree of contamination of the dishes.

Each display area preferably has a minimum size which can not be undershot. For example, in time it is immediately obvious that the duration of the wash program can not be reduced to zero.

The operating display can be arranged on a household appliance or can also be realized by means of a generic mobile terminal. Accordingly, the invention additionally comprises a household appliance which has a plurality of different programs, in particular cleaning programs, which can each be described by means of parameters between which a dependency exists. The household appliance may be, for example, a dishwasher or a washing machine. The household appliance according to the invention in this case has an operating display according to the invention for the setting of the program of the household appliance. The operating display can be firmly connected to the household appliance, for example.

In addition, the invention comprises a computer program product comprising program instructions which can be executed on a mobile terminal device that can be connected to a household appliance with a touch-sensitive operator display such that an operator display according to the invention is formed. The computer program product can be, for example, a data carrier with software stored thereon or else a data bundle which can be downloaded from the Internet. Particularly preferably, the computer program product is an app that can be executed on a commercially available smartphone with a touch display.

In addition to the touch-sensitive control display already described, the invention comprises a method for setting a program of a household appliance, wherein the household appliance, as already described, has a plurality of different programs, in particular cleaning programs. As mentioned above, the programs can each be described using several parameters that are interdependent. According to the method, a plurality of display areas are first displayed, each representing a parameter. The Of course, it is displayed on the touch-sensitive operator panel. Subsequently, a user can set the parameters by touching the operating display, wherein a parameter of another display area is changed by a change of a parameter of a display area. Then we select the program which is best described by the set parameters. Through the method presented here, the user can intuitively influence the parameters desired by him, thereby immediately recognize the effects of his selection on other parameters and thus arrive at a program that represents the best solution for the current situation and his wishes.

The invention has been described with reference to an operator display, a home appliance, a computer program product, and a method. Unless otherwise indicated, the features of the operator panel may, of course, be analogously applied to the home appliance, computer program product and method.

Further details and advantages of embodiments of the invention will be explained below with reference to the figures. Showing:

Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a touch-sensitive control panel according to the present invention;

Figure 2a-2c, a second embodiment of a touch-sensitive

Operating display according to the present invention; FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment of a touch-sensitive operator display according to the invention;

FIG. 4 a shows a dishwasher according to the invention; FIG. 4b shows a washing machine according to the invention;

Figure 5 shows a fourth embodiment of a touch-sensitive control panel according to the invention and Figure 6 shows an embodiment of a method according to the invention.

In the following description, identical and equivalent elements are designated by the same reference numerals, unless stated otherwise.

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a touch-sensitive operator display according to the invention. The operation display 1 has three display areas 2 to 4, each representing a parameter. Display area 2 can be used to set the time, display area 3 to adjust the volume, and display area 4 to set the energy required by the program. In this case, an increase of the parameter takes place in each case by touching the Pluseinstellknopfes, which is arranged to the right of the respective display area. A reduction is made by touching the Minuseinstellknopfes, which lies to the left of the display area. In addition, the operating display 1 has a selection area 5, with the aid of a degree of contamination of the dishes to be treated of a dishwasher can be adjusted.

A typical adjustment process is now as follows. First, the user touches the setting button for turning on the power supply 6 and indicates in the selection area 5 how much the dishes are dirty. Based on this information, the touch-sensitive operator panel can calculate a cleaning performance to be provided. The user is then free to influence the parameters shown in the display areas 2 to 4, whereby a change of one parameter also affects the other parameters. For example, if the user increases the time in the display area 2, the dishwasher may either inject the rinse water into the dishwasher with less pressure or reduce the temperature of the rinse water without degrading the rinse result because additional time has been provided. By contrast, if the user reduces the time in the display area 2, then either a higher volume must be accepted or the water must be heated more strongly. In this way, the user can think about what is most important to him in the current situation, and accordingly set the display areas 2 to 4. After the adjustment has been made, he presses the setting button to start the household appliance 7 and closes the dishwasher door, whereby the cleaning program is started. FIGS. 2a to 2c show a second embodiment of a touch-sensitive operator display according to the invention, which is designed as a touch display. In the operating display 8, the display areas 2 to 4 are arranged in a circle, so that in each case two display areas adjoin one another. Between the display areas, a boundary 9 is arranged in each case, which can be moved by a touch. Of course, the shift not only changes the size of the display area, but also the value of the parameter behind it. Since the display areas are arranged in a circle, it is immediately obvious that enlarging a display area reduces the adjacent display area. In this way, the relationships between the parameters for the user can be displayed particularly intuitively.

In the middle of the circle the remaining time of the program is shown by means of a remaining time display 10. As in the case of the first embodiment, the second embodiment also has a selection region 5, in which the contamination of the material to be cleaned can be selected. Without touch, an average state is selected here ("medium") Only if the user has the impression that the contamination is particularly light or particularly strong, he must make a selection here .. In addition, also has the second embodiment of the control panel 8 Other setting knobs are of course conceivable and partly also drawn in Figure 2a, but should not be explained here specifically Figure 2b illustrates like a user with his finger 1 1 the boundary 9 between touches the display area 2 for the time and the volume display area 3. By moving the finger 1 1 to the right, it shifts the boundary 9 so that the display area 2 becomes smaller in time and the volume display area 3 becomes larger End of the movement of the finger can be seen in Figure 2c.

FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment of a touch-sensitive operator display according to the invention. The operating display 12 illustrates that the display areas 2, 3, 4 need not necessarily be arranged in a circle. Rather, for example, a triangular shape is conceivable. To border again the display areas 2 to 4 to each other, albeit in a different form. Of course, also quadrilaterals or freeforms would be conceivable. To the left of the triangle, the operating display 12 has an input area 13, by means of which a cleaning agent used by the domestic appliance can be described. In the input area 13, a medium-strength detergent is preselected. By touching the box on the left or right of the middle panel, it can be entered that the cleaning agent is simple or weak or concentrated or highly effective. The operator displays can be arranged both directly on the household appliance as well as software implemented on a generic mobile terminal, which is for example wirelessly connected to the household appliances. FIG. 4 a shows an embodiment of a dishwasher 14 according to the invention. The dishwasher 14 has at the upper edge of its door the first embodiment of an operating display 1 according to the invention shown in FIG. In contrast, FIG. 4b shows an embodiment of a washing machine 15 according to the invention, to which the second embodiment of an operating display 8 according to the invention is attached.

FIG. 5 illustrates a commercially available mobile terminal 16 with a touch display 17 on which the user interface of a domestic appliance is displayed in such a way that a fourth embodiment of an operating display 18 according to the invention is formed. The mobile terminal 16 may be connected to the household appliance, for example, via WLAN. FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of a method according to the invention for setting a program of a household appliance. The method M refers by way of example to a dishwasher and the second embodiment of a touch-sensitive control display according to the invention shown in FIG. 2a. After switching on, first the multiple display areas are displayed in step S1. Since the dishes to be cleaned are heavily soiled, in step S2 the user touches the selection area 5 where the box under the word "strong" can be seen in Figure 2a In step S3 the system recognizes that a quite large cleaning performance is provided and increases the display areas 2 to 4, which are arranged in a circle, so as to signal to the user that in such a heavy pollution either longer, must be rinsed with warmer water or with higher pressure. In step S4, the user adjusts the parameters accordingly by touching with his finger the boundaries between the display areas. First, it reduces the time required. The radian freed up thereby is distributed evenly on the volume and energy. In step S5, the user then reduces the energy, with which he accepts that must be flushed with a higher pressure, whereby the volume increases. In S6, he then presses the start setting button, whereupon in step S7 the most suitable program for the settings made is selected.

A significant advantage of the invention described here can be that the user can determine even to the minute, how long his program should last, while he sees how its setting affects the other two parameters volume and energy at the same time. The user thus learns intuitively how the parameters volume, time and energy are related. The program can therefore be chosen flexibly and yet very simply.

The explanations made with reference to the figures are purely illustrative and not restrictive. Many changes can be made in the embodiments shown without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. In particular, the features of the individual embodiments can be freely combined with each other.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 First embodiment of an operating display according to the invention

2 display area representing the time parameter

3 Display area representing the noise level parameter

4 display area that represents the energy parameter

5 selection area

6 Adjustment knob for switching on the power supply

7 Adjustment knob for starting the household appliance

8 Second embodiment of an operating display according to the invention

9 border

10 remaining time display

1 1 finger

12 Third embodiment of an operating display according to the invention

13 input area

14 dishwashers

15 washing machine

16 Mobile terminal

17 touch display

Fourth embodiment of an operating display according to the invention

M embodiment of a method according to the invention

S1 Display multiple display areas

S2 Select the degree of soiling of the items to be washed

S3 Adjusting the appearance of the display areas

S4 Setting the time parameter

S5 Setting the energy parameter

S6 Press the start setting button

S7 Select the program best described by the set parameters

Claims

Touch-sensitive operating display (1, 8, 12, 18) for setting a program of a household appliance (14, 15), the domestic appliance having a plurality of different programs, in particular cleaning programs, each describable by means of a plurality of parameters between which a dependency exists are,

- wherein the control display has a plurality of display areas (2, 3, 4), each representing a parameter,

the operating display being set up such that the parameters of the display areas (2, 3, 4) can be changed by touching the operating display,

characterized,

- That the control display is arranged such that a parameter of another display area (2, 3, 4) is changed by a change of a parameter of a display area (2, 3, 4).

The operating display according to claim 1, wherein the operating display has a touch display (17) and / or adjusting knobs (6, 7).

Operation display according to one of the preceding claims, wherein each two display areas (2, 3, 4) adjacent to each other and the operation display is arranged such that a boundary (9) between two display areas can be moved by touching the control panel, whereby a parameter of the one Enlarged display area and a parameter of the other display area is reduced.

The operation display (8, 12, 18) according to claim 3, wherein the display areas are arranged in a circle or a triangle.

5. An operator panel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a parameter is an energy parameter and describes an amount of energy consumed by the execution of the program.

6. An operator panel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a parameter is a time parameter and describes a time that the program requires for a run.

An operator panel according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a parameter is a noise level parameter and describes a noise level resulting from the execution of the program.

8. operating display (1, 8, 18) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control display has a selection area (5), by means of which a state of a good to be treated by means of the program can be described by the user.

9. Operating display according to the preceding claim, wherein the operating display is set up such that in the selection area (5) an average state of the goods is preselected.

10. Operation indicator according to claim 8 or 9, wherein it is the state of the goods to a degree of contamination of the goods, which should be cleaned with the help of the program.

1 1. Operating display (12) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control display has an input area (13), with the aid of which a chemical used by the household appliance, in particular detergent, can be described.

12. An operation display according to any one of claims 8 to 1 1, wherein a representation of the plurality of display areas and / or the parameters of the plurality of display areas depend on an input via the selection area (5) and / or the input area (13) input.

13. An operator panel according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a representation of the plurality of display areas (2, 3, 4) and / or the parameters of the plurality of display areas depend on a sensory detected value.

14. Operating display according to one of the preceding claims, wherein each display area (2, 3, 4) has a minimum size that can not be fallen below.

15. Household appliance (14, 15), in particular dishwasher (14) or washing machine

(15), which has a plurality of different programs, in particular cleaning programs, each of which is described by means of a plurality of parameters between which a dependency, the household appliance a control display (1, 8, 12, 18) according to one of the preceding claims for setting the program of the household appliance.

16. Computer program product, in particular data carrier with software or downloadable data bundle, preferably app, which comprises program instructions which can be connected to a mobile device that can be connected to a household appliance

(16) with a touch-sensitive operation display (17) are executable such that an operation display according to one of claims 1 to 14 is formed.

17. Method (M) for setting a program of a household appliance, wherein the household appliance has a plurality of different programs, in particular cleaning programs, each of which can be described with the aid of a plurality of parameters between which a dependency exists, with the steps

Representing a plurality of display areas (S1), each representing a parameter, on a touch-sensitive operator display,

- Setting the parameters (S4, S5) by touching the control display by a user of the household appliance, wherein a parameter of another display area is changed by changing a parameter of a display area, and

- Selecting the program (S7) best described by the set parameters.