EP4200563A1

EP4200563A1 - Monitoring module for a household appliance and monitoring method

Info

Publication number: EP4200563A1
Application number: EP21748578.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Christopher Heckmann; Gerald Horst; Barbara John; Frank Schaefer; Daniel Vollmar
Original assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Current assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Priority date: 2020-08-18
Filing date: 2021-07-21
Publication date: 2023-06-28
Also published as: WO2022037884A1; DE102020210473A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a monitoring module (10) for at least one household appliance (12, 14), comprising a detection unit (16) for contactless detection of the presence of a hand (18) of a user in a detection space (20) provided for the at least one household appliance (12, 14). The detection space (20) is divided into at least two regions (22, 24, 26). The monitoring module (10) further comprises an evaluation unit (28), which is configured to determine from the detected hand (18) at least one feature of the hand. According to the invention, the evaluation unit (28) is configured to determine, for at least one detection point (30) in the detection space (20), a vector (32) of the detected hand (18) and, on the basis of the vector (32), to determine an actuation intention within a defined region (22, 24, 26). The monitoring module (10) is accordingly configured to output a warning signal (34) in accordance with the at least one feature and the determined actuation intention.

Description

MONITORING MODULE FOR A HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE AND METHOD FOR MONITORING

Household appliances, in particular those located in a kitchen, are usually located in an area or at a height that can be accessible to children. Various household appliances can be located on a worktop and include components that rotate and/or heat up when actuated or, due to sharp projections or cutting edges, can pose a risk to children even when they are at rest or not actuated. Accordingly, it is desirable to prevent unauthorized operation or manipulation or operation of such devices as far as possible in order to ensure the safety of children.

As a specific example of household appliances, hobs are known, for example, on which cookware for preparing food can be placed, with a cooking level being able to be set by actuating corresponding control elements in order to bring about a desired cooking temperature. When the hob is in the off or low heat state, unintentional tampering with the cooking setting must be prevented to avoid the risk of burns or damage to the home. According to the current state of the art, child safety devices are used when operating a hob. However, these must be set explicitly by the user, whereby all users who are unable to remove the lock are generally excluded from operation.

For example, manual locking and unlocking can be provided by inputting certain keys, for example using a predetermined key combination or by entering a code, possibly using an external device. An alternative possibility is to remove part of the input device required for operation, for example a twist pad, and keep it in a place inaccessible to children. In principle, these methods sufficiently prevent manipulation processes by children, but may not be practical for adults or may be perceived as cumbersome. Furthermore, undesired manipulations of the operation can be effectively prevented in this way. However, it is still possible to operate cookware and the methods described above do not offer childproofing if the hob has already been put into operation. Thus, potential actuations of hot cookware, for example, are not monitored.

Motion sensors are also known for detecting movements. However, motion sensors offer no differentiation in the type of movement and still do not enable risk differentiation. Permitted actions during a cooking process are thus also recorded, so that the motion sensor must be switched off during a cooking process in order to prevent movements from being detected and not to impair the user.

The object of the present invention is therefore to create a monitoring module for at least one household appliance that supports safe use of the household appliance and selectively outputs risk-prevention measures in risky cases without restricting permitted use.

This object is achieved according to the invention by a monitoring module for at least one household appliance that includes a detection unit for contactless detection of the presence of a user's hand in a detection space provided for the at least one household appliance, the detection space being divided into at least two areas. The monitoring module also includes an evaluation unit which is set up to determine at least one feature of the hand from the detected hand. The monitoring module is characterized in that the evaluation unit is set up to determine a vector of the detected hand for at least one detection point in the detection space and to determine an intention to operate within a specific area based on the vector, the monitoring module being set up to emit a warning signal in Dependency of the at least one feature and the determined actuation intention to output.

Determining the at least one feature makes it possible, for example, to distinguish between a child's hand and an adult's hand can. Thus, the warning signal can be selectively issued and alerted to a potential impending unauthorized operation by a child.

In this case, the actuation intention is determined using a specific vector, it being possible for the vector to be determined using two detection points in the detection space, for example. In particular, the vector is determined by two detection points. However, it is also possible that the vector comprises several detection points. In this case, the vector can also be referred to as a path, which can also consist of several individual vectors. The trajectory or track can also be curved. If speed information is also contained in addition to the vector or the path, the vector and in particular the path can also be referred to as a trajectory.

Thus, a direction of movement of the detected hand and, in the case of a time recording, also a speed of the movement can be determined. Alternatively, however, a vector can also be determined using a single detection point based on empirical values stored in the monitoring module or in the evaluation unit and a relative distance to at least one edge area of the detection space or the respective area. The direction of movement can be a relative direction of movement or, with correspondingly stored data of the detection space, also an absolute direction of movement. The speed can also be determined using stored data and a time measurement or using a clock generator of the monitoring module or the evaluation unit.

The determined vector also enables an actuation intention to be determined, for example by extrapolating the vector. Thus, the vector may indicate a direction of movement within the first area and/or a direction of movement leading away from the first area and the second area. It can thus be determined that the hand movement does not lead in the direction of the second area, so that there is no intention of actuation.

The areas are to be understood to the effect that they include a respective section within the detection space, which, for example, with a corresponding surface, wherein the household appliance is at least partially arranged on a portion of the surface or is in the vicinity of a respective portion. However, the domestic appliance can also extend over a number of areas, with only one or more sections being particularly relevant for the monitoring or potential actuation and being provided accordingly as a specific area.

In other words, a hand can initially be detected in a first area that does not overlap the household appliance or a potentially dangerous section of the household appliance or a corresponding surface. On the basis of the determined vector, however, an actuation intention for a further, specific area or a section or surface that is safety-relevant for the household appliance can be determined.

This also enables a differentiation or distinction as to whether a movement causes a potential hazard or can be classified as harmless. Thus, for example, short-term movements of a hand may not be particularly relevant or cause any immediate danger with regard to a source of danger provided by the household appliance. The household appliance can be a hob, for example, with cooking utensils on the hob providing potential sources of danger. Movements at an edge area of the hob can be classified by the evaluation unit as harmless and not dangerous if, for example, pots or pans are on the hob on one side of the hob, which is opposite a service side and therefore do not pose a particular risk for children. In such cases, there is no need to output a warning signal.

In other words, by detecting the feature, it can be determined whether the detected movement relates to a child's hand. If this is not the case and an adult's hand has been detected, the determined actuation intention can be ignored and the outputting of a warning signal by the monitoring module can be blocked accordingly. Furthermore, if a child's hand is detected and no intention to operate has been determined, a corresponding warning signal can be dispensed with. So can For example, a cooking process can be continued without restriction if there is sufficient child safety and a warning signal is not issued for every detected movement.

However, if the vector indicates a direction of movement which runs in the direction of a specific area, for example a second, safety-relevant area, a warning signal can be output to draw attention to a potentially imminent danger as a result of unauthorized operation by a child. The signal can be output from the monitoring module or directly from the evaluation unit. For example, the signal can be a visual signal from at least one light source and/or an acoustic signal, for example in the form of a buzzer or similar device of the monitoring module. If a child is unsupervised in the vicinity of the household appliance and/or wants to operate the household appliance without permission, an adult can be made aware of this directly by the signal and the potential hazard can be prevented in good time.

In order to monitor an operation of a respective household appliance, the monitoring module can comprise a housing and be set up to be fixed at a position which lies above the household appliance, so that the detection space defines a space which lies between the detection unit and the household appliance. For example, the household appliance can be a device that can be placed on a worktop or work surface of a kitchen and is usually actuated on it. The monitoring module can be attached to a wall shelf or cupboard, for example, or in a corresponding system to another or secondary household appliance, so that the detection unit is provided at about adult eye level and can detect movements within a detection space underneath.

The detection space preferably includes not only the household appliance, but also a space or area, with a predetermined distance being provided between an edge area of the detection space and the area containing the household appliance. In other words, a surface can be detected, for example a worktop, with the household appliance being at least partially in at least one Section of the surface can be located, at least the section in which the household appliance is located is of such a size that a detection of a hand or a feature does not necessarily match or overlap with the surface of the household appliance. Correspondingly, several areas can be provided in the detection space and a hand can also be detected before it is located in a corresponding, specific or specific area.

The detection unit can also be designed, for example, as an arrangement of optical sensors for contactless detection of the presence of a user's hand. The detection unit is preferably designed as a camera and the detection unit is designed in such a way that the detection is not visible to the user and accordingly does not restrict him when operating the household appliance. In a preferred embodiment, the camera can be in the form of an infrared camera, so that in addition to capturing the hand, specific objects or a temperature in the capturing space can also be recorded. Alternatively, however, the detection unit can also be designed as a microphone array, radar, or as an ultrasonic sensor array. The configuration of the camera or the arrangement of the sensors can define the detection space, with detection data being able to be assigned to a respective area, for example using a corresponding matrix and stored data.

The at least one household appliance can be, for example, a kettle, a kitchen appliance or mixer, a toaster, a bread maker, a coffee machine, a cutting device or an oven.

The at least one household appliance preferably includes a hob, so that a potential operation of at least one hotplate can be monitored by means of the monitoring module. The monitoring module can be attached to the underside of an extractor hood or a secondary household appliance and can preferably be integrated therein. Alternatively, however, a detection unit of the monitoring module can also be arranged at a similar level to an extractor hood and other components of the monitoring module, for example the evaluation unit and/or a control unit, can be arranged in an extractor device is not located above a hob, for example in a downdraft extractor or downdraft extractor.

The evaluation unit is preferably set up to determine the actuation intention as a function of the specific at least one feature. In this way, it can be provided, for example, that the actuation intention is determined only when detecting a feature that points to a detected child's hand.

In other words, there is no determination of an actuation intention if a feature is detected that indicates the presence of an adult. The energy consumption and the required computing capacity can thus also be reduced. Furthermore, based on the feature, corresponding empirical values for vectors and determined actuation intentions, which are stored in the monitoring module or in the evaluation unit or in a cloud, can serve as a reference for determining the actuation intention.

Although in general any feature of the detected hand can be determined, the feature is preferably a characteristic feature so that the accuracy of the determined operation intention and the detected feature is improved. For example, an object can be held in the hand, for example made of metal, which can only be accessed by an adult person or is only suitable for or can be held by an adult person's hand. When the hand is detected, it can thus be determined that it is the hand of an adult person, so that the determination of the actuation intention and the outputting of a warning signal can be dispensed with.

However, the evaluation unit is preferably set up to determine a biometric feature from the at least one feature, preferably the size of the hand, and to determine the actuation intention only when the biometric feature falls below a predetermined limit value. The predefined limit value can, for example, be stored in the evaluation unit and include a minimum size, so falling below this value indicates a detected movement of a child's hand or a hand size that is not intended for operating the household appliance. In other words, filtering takes place so that a warning signal can accordingly only be issued if a child takes over the operation. For this purpose, the specific feature can be filtered, for example, according to the length of the finger or the length of the back of the hand, in particular during the entire operation or even when the household appliance is switched off. The limit values for these parameters are stored in the monitoring module or in the evaluation unit and there is therefore no additional computing effort. The limit values can also be taught to the device, for example by holding an unauthorized or unauthorized hand several times in the field of view or in the detection area of the detection unit and the corresponding values are detected, recorded and, if necessary, averaged or evaluated.

The feature can be determined for each newly detected detection point, optionally within a predetermined time interval, with the determination of the actuation intention preferably being carried out continuously and/or periodically in order to prevent unauthorized actuation continuously, both when the household appliance is in operation and when it is switched off. However, the determination of the at least one feature is preferably carried out once after the hand has been detected, in order to reduce the required computing capacity.

Examples of other biometric features that may be determined are back-of-hand height, back-of-hand width, back-of-hand length, finger height, finger width, finger length, and relative position of fingers. By determining the at least one feature, an exact hand recognition can thus take place.

The vector is preferably a three-dimensional vector. Correspondingly, the detection space can define a three-dimensional space which, for example, lies below the detection unit and in the visible or accessible area of a person when the monitoring module is in the installed state. Thus, the actuation intention can be based not only on one direction in one plane, but on several planes, so that an exact direction of movement can be determined and a more accurate extrapolation of the vector can also be made with regard to the specific area.

The evaluation unit can also be set up to determine a vector of the detected hand for at least two detection points and to determine a trajectory based on the at least two vectors and to determine the actuation intention as a function of the determined trajectory. The movement path is preferably a three-dimensional movement path.

The path of movement or a trajectory that includes the speed can further increase the accuracy of the ascertained actuation intention, in particular through improved extrapolation of the ascertained movement. In this way, not only a direction and a speed can be determined, but also non-linear movements and/or deviations of a directional line are taken into account in the determination. In this way, natural movement patterns of a hand movement can be determined, which often do not occur linearly due to the anatomy and the coordination of a user. While a trajectory in one plane already enables an improvement in the ascertained actuation intention, a natural movement of the hand is ascertained with even greater accuracy by a ascertained three-dimensional trajectory using three-dimensional vectors. In this way, for example, a gripping movement or also a rotation or twisting movement of the hand can be determined.

The determined trajectory also enables an even more selective output of the warning signal or also of a warning signal specific to the determined actuation intention, while at the same time an even earlier detection of a potential actuation intention is provided by the determination of non-linear movement patterns. For example, no direct actuation intention can be determined from two or more vectors for a corresponding number of detection points, while a determined trajectory from two vectors for the first two detection points, for example based on an extrapolation of the trajectory based on empirical values stored in the evaluation unit, already for the Determination of an intention to act can suffice. The early detection thus increases the security of the corresponding household appliance.

The evaluation unit can also be set up to determine the actuation intention as a function of a detection duration, a specific distance from the specific area and/or from at least one outer edge of the detection space, a determined movement pattern and/or a specific speed.

For example, a short-term detection at an edge area of the detection space can be ignored by the evaluation unit, while a stationary position or slight movement of a hand can be detected for a predetermined time for the determined actuation intention, for example if a hand is in an area in which a successive process of the household appliance is pre-programmed. Exceeding a limit value of a specific distance from at least one outer edge of the detection space and/or exceeding a limit value of a speed can also be regarded as an actuation intention, so that a warning signal can be output if there is a correspondingly rapid movement.

The detection unit is preferably set up to detect at least one control element of the at least one household appliance, with the evaluation unit being set up to divide the detection space in such a way that at least one area includes a control element area, the specific area being the control element area.

The control element area can include one or more control buttons, rotary knobs and/or sliders, which enable the respective household appliance to be operated or actuated. For example, the control element area can include one or more (capacitive) touch sensors or touch-sensitive sensors, which enable continuous and/or (quasi) stepless adjustment of at least one operating parameter of the household appliance.

Now should a hand be detected near the controls area or a corresponding vector a direction of movement towards that area and a If the extrapolation of this vector indicates an intention to operate, a corresponding warning signal can be output. As described above, this can also involve the detection of a stationary hand, in which case the intention to operate is regarded as the intention to operate or to manipulate an operating parameter.

In one embodiment according to the invention, the household appliance is a hob, with the intention to actuate the cookware being manipulated. For example, the cookware may be located on a hotplate in a specific area such that the actuation intent is determined as to whether a specific vector or trajectory includes an actuation in the specific area. In other words, a probability can be determined by extrapolation as to whether the corresponding cooking utensil is affected by the detected or determined movement. This can be determined, for example, based on a potential overlap of the extrapolated direction of movement and/or based on a comparison with stored empirical values and statistical processing, with an optional limit value for the probability and/or standard deviation being provided.

Alternatively, the intention to actuate can also include the intention to actuate the respective area and/or the intention to actuate a corresponding control element, which is provided, for example, for setting the cooking level, in a control element area.

The at least one area can also include at least one danger area, the danger area being defined by a current temperature and/or an operating state of the household appliance and/or the area.

If the household appliance includes a hob, for example, an object detected in the detection space for a predetermined time can be identified as a cooking process, with the area in which the object is placed being identified as a corresponding danger area. In other words, an active operating state of the corresponding area can be determined by exceeding a predetermined time. In the case of a hob is increased accordingly by a Temperature of this area is assumed, so that there is a potential hazard if the intention to operate is determined.

Alternatively or additionally, a current temperature can also be detected by the detection unit, for example if the detection unit includes one or more infrared sensors or is designed as an infrared camera. Accordingly, potential danger areas can be determined independently of the presence of certain objects in the detection space and with greater accuracy. Likewise, in the case of a hob, any hazards that may arise, such as the leakage of a hot liquid, can be automatically detected and taken into account when determining the intention to operate.

The monitoring module can also preferably communicate with existing devices and can accordingly include a communication unit. The communication unit is set up to transmit the warning signal to an external device, preferably wirelessly, and/or to receive information regarding the operating state of the at least one household appliance, preferably wirelessly, and to output the warning signal depending on the information received.

The communication unit can thus be communicatively coupled to the evaluation unit in order to receive relevant data from the corresponding household appliance for determining the actuation intention. For example, one or more operating states or operating parameters such as residual heat, a knob position, a hob geometry and/or a position of the cooking vessels or the cooking utensil can be received from a household appliance in the form of a cooktop, which are displayed in accordance with the at least one specific area or Define danger area.

The warning signal can also, additionally or alternatively, be output via the communication unit. In this way, not only visual and acoustic warning signals can be issued. This also enables the signal to be transmitted as a message, preferably as a push message, to at least one external device, for example a mobile phone, using appropriate data. For example, the communication unit with a Bluetooth device or be equipped with the appropriate WLAN connectivity and this is preferably linked to the external device. The same technology can also be used to receive the information from the household appliance.

In order to provide a further limitation of an undesired actuation intention and improved security of the respective household appliance, the monitoring module can also comprise a control unit for the at least one household appliance and/or a device comprising at least one lighting unit that can be coupled to the monitoring module. The warning signal is a control and/or regulation signal for an operating state of the at least one household appliance and/or the at least one lighting unit.

In this way, a change in an operating parameter can be prevented or reversed when there is an intention to manipulate or to actuate an operating element if the hand is a child's hand. For this purpose, the control unit can be connected to the household appliance, for example via an interface, or it can also output a corresponding signal by means of a communication unit described above. In addition, an acoustic and/or visual warning signal can be output, optionally (also) by transmitting a corresponding signal to an external device.

A current operating state can also be reversed or deactivated by the control and/or regulation signal, so that the corresponding household appliance is switched off or operated in a reduced operating state. For example, in the case of a hob as a household appliance, a cooking or heating level can be reduced to or set to zero.

A lighting unit can also be controlled in a corresponding manner in order to output a warning signal in the form of a visual warning signal. The corresponding control and/or regulation signal can also bring about a specific lighting sequence, lighting color and/or lighting of the specific area. As a further safety measure, it can be provided that the monitoring module is set up to output the warning signal when entering the specific area and/or when the determination of the intention to actuate has failed. It can thus be ensured that a corresponding warning signal can be output even in the case of rapid movement and/or in the event of erroneous detection of one or more detection points. Furthermore, it can happen in exceptional cases that a vector could be determined, but an actuation intention could not be determined with a sufficient degree of probability. In other words, a sufficient number of vectors could be determined or determined, but an intention to act cannot be determined, for example as a result of a determined non-specific and/or slow movement pattern. In such a case, an intention to operate is assumed or, to be on the safe side, a warning signal is issued, preferably a specific warning signal, to indicate that a potential operation and/or hazard could be present.

The above object is also achieved by a monitoring system with a secondary household appliance or a secondary household appliance and a monitoring module according to the invention for a primary household appliance as described above. The secondary household appliance is preferably an extractor device such as an extractor hood, with the primary household appliance being a hob to be monitored. Accordingly, the monitoring module or at least one detection unit of the monitoring module can, for example, be fastened to the underside of the extractor hood and/or integrated therein, with the detection space being below the extractor hood and encompassing the hob, preferably with the corresponding control elements.

The extractor hood is preferably communicatively coupled to the cooktop, for example via an interface or a communication unit provided in the monitoring module, so that the monitoring module emits an optical warning signal, for example via a lighting device of the extractor hood, and furthermore, a change made to an operating state by means of a corresponding control and/or Control signal can prevent. Provision can also be made for a message to be transmitted to an external device, for example a mobile device, via such a communication unit, so that a Appropriate notification takes place in the event of a child's hand being detected and an intended actuation determined.

As described above, instead of an extractor hood, however, an alternative extractor device in the form of a table extractor or hob extractor can also be provided and parts of the monitoring module can be arranged accordingly. The monitoring module can thus be integrated in such a fume extraction device, for example (only) the detection unit being arranged separately and communicatively coupled to the evaluation unit.

The above object is also achieved by a method according to the invention for monitoring at least one household appliance. The process includes at least the following steps:

Contactless detection of the presence of a user's hand in a detection space provided for the at least one household appliance and dividing the detection space into at least two areas; and determining at least one feature of the sensed hand.

According to the invention, the method further comprises that

determining a detected hand vector for at least one detection point in the detection space;

determining an intention to operate within a specific range based on the vector; and

- Outputting a warning signal depending on the at least one feature and the determined actuation intention.

A vector of the detected hand is preferably determined for at least two detection points and a trajectory is determined based on the at least two vectors and the intention to actuate is determined as a function of the determined trajectory, with the vector preferably being a three-dimensional vector and/or the trajectory preferably being a three-dimensional trajectory is.

Advantages and details that have been described for the monitoring module according to the invention also apply—insofar as applicable—to the method and vice versa. Preferred the method is carried out with a monitoring module according to the invention. Accordingly, the monitoring module is preferably designed to carry out the method according to the invention.

The invention is explained in more detail below again with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

Figure 1: a schematic representation of an inventive

monitoring module;

FIG. 2: a top view of a schematic representation of a hand detection and a determination according to the invention of an actuation intention based on a determined movement path;

FIG. 3: a schematic side view of the determination of an actuation intention according to FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4: a perspective representation of a monitoring system with a monitoring module according to the invention.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the monitoring module 10 according to the invention, the monitoring module 10 comprising a detection unit 16 which is communicatively coupled to an integrated evaluation unit 28 . In the present case, the detection unit 16 is embodied as an infrared camera, which enables detection within a detection space 20 . However, an alternative detection unit 16 can also be provided, for example in the form of a sensor array or a camera for data detection in the visible wavelength range.

In the evaluation unit 28, the detection space 20 is divided into separate areas 22, 24 and the recorded data is assigned to a respective area 22, 24. In this embodiment, two areas 22 , 24 are provided by way of example, which adjoin one another and completely encompass the lower area of the detection space 20 . However, several areas can also be provided, which still do not have to be adjacent to one another, but can also be spaced apart. Furthermore, the areas 22, 24 are arranged in one plane in this example. However, one or more areas can also be arranged on different levels or one above the other. In other words, the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is not limited to the arrangement and number of areas.

A vector 32 is determined in the evaluation unit 28 for at least one detection point 30 detected by the detection unit 16 . The detected point 30 is a hand (not shown), with the vector preferably being determined from two detection points 30 . Alternatively, however, the vector 32 can also be determined based on a clock frequency and a specific distance from at least one edge area of the detection space 20 , with the detection point 30 optionally being able to be compared with empirical values stored in the evaluation unit 28 . Based on the specific vector 32, an intention to actuate a specific area 22, 24 can be determined, as is done here by extrapolation, as indicated by the dashed arrow.

In the present example, the extrapolation shows that the detected hand could move in the direction of the area 22 and thus an intention to operate this area potentially exists or is confirmed. If this area 22 is, for example, a safety-relevant area and includes, for example, an area with a household appliance (not shown) that has been put into operation, a corresponding warning signal 34 can be output by the evaluation unit 28, as shown by the corresponding arrow. For example, the detection space 20 can include a hob with controls, with the area 22 including a switched-on hotplate with cookware placed thereon, for example a saucepan.

However, in order not to unnecessarily restrict the use of the household appliance and to avoid the output of warning signals 34 in the case of non-safety-relevant operations or operation intentions, at least one feature of the detected hand is also determined at at least one detection point 30 . The feature (not shown) is used to determine whether the detection is a child's hand. If this is the case and an actuation intention for the specific area 22 is confirmed or determined, a warning signal 34 is output accordingly, so that a adult is made aware of this and any danger to the child can be prevented.

According to the embodiment, the warning signal 34 is output by a communication unit 38 , but can optionally also be output directly by the evaluation unit 28 or by the monitoring module 10 . For example, an optical or visual or an acoustic warning signal 34 can be output, for example by means of a lamp and/or a buzzer or loudspeaker. The communication unit 38 also enables a corresponding signal to be transmitted to an external device, for example a mobile device, so that a notification can be sent to a supervisor, for example by means of a push message. In this way, it is also possible to intervene quickly in the absence and also in the case of intentional manipulations of an operating state of the household appliance, which may not pose an immediate danger.

The evaluation unit 28 is also optionally communicatively coupled to a control unit 40 . This makes it possible for a warning signal 34 to be output to also include a control and/or regulation signal in order to undo a manipulation that has been carried out in an operating state or even to switch off a household appliance that has been put into operation or to adjust the operating parameters in such a way that there is no danger in the event of manual operation represent. The control and/or regulation signal is accordingly transmitted via the communication unit 38 to the household appliance for the respective area 22, 24 in order to enable the household appliance for this area 22, 24 to be controlled, as shown by the dashed lines.

FIG. 2 shows a top view of a schematic representation of a hand detection and a determination of an actuation intention according to the invention based on a determined movement path, with the detection space 20 comprising three operable areas 22, 24, 26, which can be operated via a corresponding operating element 36. In this example, two areas 22, 24 are active, each forming a potential hazard area, as indicated by the corresponding hatching. An object that interacts with the area 24 is also placed on the area 24 . For example, the areas 22, 24, 26 are hotplates of a hob, the object being a cooking utensil 14, for example a saucepan. The active areas 22, 24 can correspond to a cooking level set via the operating element 36 or have a high temperature, which is classified as dangerous. The temperature can be detected, for example, by the detection unit (not shown) if this is designed as an infrared camera or a corresponding sensor array or includes at least one infrared sensor. However, the temperature or, in general, the operating parameters can also be transmitted to the monitoring module (not shown) via a corresponding interface, so that this information can be taken into account accordingly when determining the actuation intention. Alternatively, however, an interface can also be provided, with the monitoring module and the hob forming a system. As is also the case for FIG. 1, it also applies to FIG.

A hand is first detected in the detection space 20 and a feature is determined from the detected hand in order to determine whether the hand is a child's hand. In the present case, it is a child's hand and vectors 32 are determined for three detection points, with a movement path being determined from vectors 32, as indicated by the dashed arrow. For example, to determine the trajectory, a shape can be superimposed over the vectors 32, for example from empirical values stored in the evaluation unit, with a deviation being minimized for the superimposed area of the vectors 32 in order to improve the probability and accuracy of the determined trajectory.

However, the trajectory can optionally also be determined using two or more than three vectors 32 . A higher number of vectors 32 enables the accuracy of the determined trajectory to be improved, while a lower number correspondingly reduces the computing capacity required. The number of vectors 32 can be dynamic, for example, and dependent on a probability of the trajectory and a threshold value provided for this be defined. Two vectors 32 can be sufficient for a clear movement path, while a non-specific movement pattern, a changing movement direction and/or a low movement speed can require a larger number of vectors 32.

The warning signal can be output accordingly on the basis of the trajectory. In the present case, it was determined that the (extrapolated) trajectory overlaps with the region 24 at least with a high degree of probability and that there is therefore an intention to actuate the cooking utensil 14 or it has been determined. Furthermore, the area 22 also lies in the movement path (not shown), which was optionally taken into account when determining the actuation intention.

The side view according to FIG. 3 also illustrates that the movement path is a three-dimensional movement path. A more natural hand movement can thus be detected and a more specific actuation intention can also be determined. However, the three-dimensional trajectory is optional. Alternatively, a two-dimensional trajectory can be determined, with the detection space 20 preferably having a low height and thus being limited to a height that is relevant for the actuation.

In the embodiment according to FIGS. 2 and 3, a warning signal can optionally be output as follows. First of all, based on the detected hand and the specific feature of the hand, it is determined whether it is a child's hand and whether there is corresponding legitimacy for operating a household appliance provided in the detection area, which is fundamentally not the case for a child. The feature can be determined using algorithms for object recognition and, for example, using the size of the hand, at least one finger, and/or the back of the hand.

The detection space is divided into areas and stored accordingly in the evaluation unit. The detection space thus forms a monitored area and certain areas can be marked as danger zones or danger areas. For example, it can be a monitored hob Act areas that include a control unit, a hot hotplate or hot cookware or one or more hot cooking vessels.

An optional communication unit or an interface can enable a data connection to exist between the household appliance or the hob and the monitoring module, so that the areas can be identified by providing additional parameters known to the hob, for example residual heat, knob position, hob geometry, position of the cooking vessels , can be supported.

If a child's hand is detected, a movement path or a trajectory of the detected hand or of the object identified as a child's hand is then determined, the movement path being based on an extrapolation of a plurality of determined vectors. Based on the extrapolation result, it is then determined whether there is an intention to act or an intention to act.

If the determined trajectory and the ascertained actuation intention indicate a potential entry into the danger area, a corresponding warning signal is output. With an appropriate design and system integration of the monitoring module, the warning signal can prevent the manipulation of the cooking setting via an existing data connection between a hob and the monitoring module and optionally output an acoustic or optical warning signal or a notification by means of a push message send to an external device.

However, if there is no data connection, an acoustic and/or visual warning signal is output and a corresponding notification is optionally sent if the monitoring module includes a communication unit.

This process can also take place when the intention to actuate cookware has been determined. Optionally, with an existing data connection and configuration of the monitoring module, the hob or the respective hotplate can also be switched off. If the hand is detected approaching a danger area, a control and/or regulation signal for a coupled lighting device can also be output with an existing data connection and configuration of the monitoring module, which causes corresponding lighting, in particular of the danger area and optionally sequentially.

The above-mentioned processes can also be provided if the actuation intention is incorrectly determined, and these processes are not limited to the exemplary hob, but can be provided for any household appliance in general.

If it is also explicitly desired for a child or a child's hand to carry out manipulations, the child safety device can also be deactivated, for example by switching off the monitoring module which is usually switched on, preferably for a predetermined time interval.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a monitoring system with a secondary household appliance in the form of an extractor hood 42 with a monitoring module 10 according to the invention. The monitoring module 10 is attached to an underside of the extractor hood 42 so that the detection unit (not explicitly shown) can detect detection points in a detection space 20 below. A hob 12 is located in the detection space 20 , with a hand 18 being located on the outer edge region of the detection space 20 . Cookware 14 is also located at the outer edge area of detection space 20.

The monitoring module 10 thus not only enables an intention to actuate the hob 12 , preferably a specific area of the hob 12 , to be determined, but also whether a hand movement is possibly moving in the direction of the cooking utensil 14 . Accordingly, the detection space 20 includes a spacing between the outer edge region and the hob 12 and the cooking utensil 14, so that an intention to operate can be detected early and monitoring for a number of household appliances can be provided.

10 monitoring module

12 household appliance

14 household appliance

16 registration unit

18 hands

20 detection room

22 area

24 area

26 area

28 evaluation unit

30 capture point

32 vector

34 warning signal

36 Control Panel

38 communication unit

40 driving unit

42 cooker hood

Claims

24 CLAIMS

1. Monitoring module (10) for at least one household appliance (12, 14), which has a detection unit (16) for contactless detection of the presence of a hand (18) of a user in a detection space (20 ), wherein the detection space (20) is divided into at least two areas (22, 24, 26) and an evaluation unit (28) which is set up to determine at least one feature of the hand from the detected hand (18). , characterized in that the evaluation unit (28) is set up to determine a vector (32) of the detected hand (18) for at least one detection point (30) in the detection space (20) and based on the vector (32) an actuation intention within of a specific area (22, 24, 26), the monitoring module (10) being set up to output a warning signal (34) depending on the at least one feature and the determined actuation intention.

2. Monitoring module (10) according to claim 1, wherein the evaluation unit (28) is set up to determine the actuation intention as a function of the specific at least one feature.

3. Monitoring module (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the evaluation unit (28) is set up to determine a biometric feature from the at least one feature, preferably the size of the hand (18), and the actuation intention only when falling below a predetermined Determine limit of the biometric feature.

4. Monitoring module (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the vector (32) is a three-dimensional vector.

5. Monitoring module (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the evaluation unit (28) is set up to determine a vector (32) of the detected hand (18) for at least two detection points (30) and based on the at least two vectors ( 32) a trajectory, preferably one three-dimensional trajectory to determine and determine the actuation intention depending on the determined trajectory. Monitoring module (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the evaluation unit (28) is set up to determine the actuation intention as a function of a detection duration, a specific distance from the specific area (22, 24, 26) and/or at least one outer edge of the detection space (20), a determined movement pattern, and/or a specific speed. Monitoring module (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the

Detection unit (16) is set up to detect at least one operating element of the at least one household appliance (12, 14) and wherein the evaluation unit (28) is set up to divide up the detection space (20) in such a way that at least one area (22, 24, 26) one

Controls area (36), wherein the specific area (22, 24, 26) is the controls area (36). Monitoring module (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the domestic appliance (12, 14) is a hob (12) and wherein the intention to operate is an intention to manipulate cookware (14). Monitoring module (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one area (22, 24, 26) comprises at least one danger zone, the danger zone being defined by a current temperature and/or an operating state of the household appliance (12, 14) and/or the Area (22, 24, 26) is defined. Monitoring module (10) according to one of the preceding claims, which comprises a communication unit (38) which is set up to transmit the warning signal (34) to an external device, preferably wirelessly, and / or information regarding the operating state of the at least one household appliance ( 12, 14) to receive, preferably wirelessly, and to output the warning signal (34) depending on the information received. Monitoring module (10) according to one of the preceding claims, which comprises a control unit (40) for the at least one household appliance (12, 14) and/or a device (42) which can be coupled to the monitoring module (10) and comprises at least one lighting unit, the warning signal (34) is a control and/or regulation signal for an operating state of the at least one household appliance (12, 14) and/or the at least one lighting unit. Monitoring module (10) according to one of the preceding claims, which is set up to output the warning signal (34) when entering the specific area (22, 24, 26) and/or when the determination of the actuation intention has failed. Monitoring system with a secondary household appliance, preferably an extractor hood (42), which comprises a monitoring module (10) according to one of the preceding claims for at least one primary household appliance (12, 14), preferably a hob (12). Extractor device, preferably an extractor hood (42), which comprises a monitoring module (10) according to one of claims 1 to 12 for a hob (12), wherein the monitoring module (10) is preferably integrated in the extractor device. Method for monitoring at least one household appliance, comprising the steps:

Contactless detection of the presence of a user's hand in a detection space provided for the at least one household appliance and dividing the detection space into at least two areas; and

Determining at least one feature of the detected hand, characterized in that the method further comprises

determining an intention to operate within a specific range based on the vector; and 27

Outputting a warning signal depending on the at least one feature and the determined actuation intention. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein a detected hand vector is determined for at least two detection points and based on the at least two

Vectors determine a trajectory and the actuation intention is determined as a function of the determined trajectory, the vector preferably being a three-dimensional vector and/or the trajectory preferably being a three-dimensional trajectory. A method according to any one of claims 15 or 16, wherein the method is performed with a monitoring module according to any one of claims 1 to 12.