WO2011057964A1

WO2011057964A1 - Device with a usb interface and with an interface deviating from the usb standard

Info

Publication number: WO2011057964A1
Application number: PCT/EP2010/066885
Authority: WO
Inventors: Wolfgang Thuille
Original assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH
Priority date: 2009-11-13
Filing date: 2010-11-05
Publication date: 2011-05-19
Also published as: DE102009046706A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) having a memory (3), a computing device (8, 12) connected to the memory (3), a USB interface (6), and an interface (10) deviating from the USB standard. The device (1) is equipped to be supplied with electric energy via the interface (10), and the computing device (12) is equipped to automatically request data via the interface (10) and store said data in the memory (3) as soon as electric energy is available via the interface (10).

Description

Device with a USB Interaface and with one of the USB

Standard deviating interface

The invention relates to a device with a USB interface and deviating from the USB standard interface.

As a rule, a customer service only recognizes the exact fault of a disturbed or defective household appliance on site by using e.g. reads out an internal fault memory of the household appliance and analyzes the read-out data. It is then possible that suitable, required for the repair parts must first be ordered, which is why

Second visit of customer service may be necessary.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a device with which data of a device, in particular a domestic appliance can be read in a relatively simple manner, which can be used for a fault analysis of a defective or faulty device.

The object of the invention is achieved by a device comprising a memory, a computing device connected to the memory, a USB interface and a deviating from the USB standard interface, wherein the device is adapted to be supplied via the interface with electrical energy and the computing device is set up to automatically retrieve data via the interface and store it in memory as soon as electrical energy is available via the interface.

A further aspect of the invention relates to a system comprising the device according to the invention and a domestic appliance with a control device, a memory and an interface corresponding to the interface of the device, wherein the domestic appliance is set up to read data stored in its memory via its interface, if the device with its interface is connected to the interface of the household appliance and automatically starts to read the data.

The device according to the invention accordingly comprises a memory, which is designed in particular as a non-volatile memory, for example as an EEPROM. The The device according to the invention further comprises the computing device, eg a

Microprocessor or a microcontroller includes, and the deviating from the USB standard interface, so an interface that does not represent a USB interface. The USB standard deviating interface includes e.g. a suitable plug and optionally a controller which is at least part of the computing device of the device according to the invention.

The device according to the invention is also designed such that it can be supplied via its deviating from the USB standard interface with electrical energy that is necessary for its intended use. The device according to the invention or its computing device is also designed in such a way that, as soon as it is supplied with electrical energy via its interface deviating from the USB standard,

It automatically starts to retrieve data via this interface and store it in memory. Thus, the device according to the invention is designed such that, as soon as it is connected, for example, to the interface of the domestic appliance, it automatically starts to retrieve data of the domestic appliance via its deviating from the USB standard interface.

Optionally, additionally or independently thereof, the corresponding domestic appliance corresponding to the interface of the device according to the invention, also deviating from the USB standard interface over which, when connected to the household appliance, the device according to the invention reads out the data. These are e.g. stored in a fault memory of the household appliance.

The data are preferably assigned to one or more operating states of the domestic appliance. These data are in particular such that their subsequent analysis allows a conclusion to be drawn on a defect or a disturbance of the domestic appliance.

The device according to the invention can preferably be designed such that

solely due to the availability of electrical energy it automatically retrieves the data via its interface via its interface. Then it is possible that the device according to the invention only needs to be connected with its deviating from the USB standard interface with the corresponding interface of the household appliance, then automatically read the required data from the home appliance and stored in the memory of the device according to the invention. Another action is thus not required, which has a facilitated operation of the device according to the invention.

The deviating from the USB standard interface of the device according to the invention may preferably be a contact-bound interface. Then it is e.g. only necessary to put the device according to the invention with its deviating from the USB standard interface in the corresponding interface of the household appliance, so that the device according to the invention automatically retrieves the data from the household appliance to store them in its memory. The deviating from the USB standard interface is a variant of the

Device according to the invention an interface according to the CAN bus standard or is at least similar to this. The CAN standard (Controller Area Network) is an asynchronous, serial bus system and belongs to the field buses. According to a preferred variant of the device according to the invention, this device is set up to be supplied with electrical energy via its USB interface, and its computing device is set up to automatically read out data stored in the memory via its USB interface as soon as the device is connected via its USB interface electrical energy is supplied. Then it is only necessary, the device according to the invention with its USB interface, e.g. to connect to a computer that also has a USB interface. The computer can then be configured with appropriate software which is set up to automatically read out the data from the memory of the device according to the invention as soon as it is connected to the computer via the USB interface and supplied with electrical energy.

If the data is read from the computer, then it may be possible if the computer is set up accordingly, that of the device according to the invention

in particular graphically display data read on a monitor connected to the computer. If necessary, the graphical representation of the data may simplify their analysis. By means of the representation, for example, the energy consumption of the domestic appliance or the times of use of the domestic appliance can be displayed. If the computer is set up to be connected to a data transmission network, in particular to the Internet, then it may be provided that the data read from the device is transmitted from the computer via the data transmission network to a central database. This allows a central evaluation of the data of the domestic appliance, so that it may be possible, if necessary, to detect a defect or a disturbance of the domestic appliance from a distance. Thus, it is possible that the on-site time required by the after-sales service to repair a faulty home appliance is reduced. It is also possible that the customer service can already bring a possibly required spare part on the first visit to possibly replace a defective or faulty component.

Optionally, therefore, the device according to the invention is a bidirectional USB memory stick, which can be connected to household appliances with a so-called D-bus, which is similar to the CAN bus standard and then independently, for example, ID and memory data from the product (household appliance) in the internal memory of the device according to the invention loads. This can be accomplished, for example, by the end user of the household appliance, if necessary, by simply plugging.

After disconnecting the device according to the invention from the household appliance, the

Device according to the invention e.g. be connected to the other side with a USB port of a computer, causing the memory of the invention

Device, which is preferably designed as a flash memory, can be accessed. This makes it possible that the device information of the domestic appliance can be read in a relatively simple manner with a time delay and without complex online communication.

Application advantages of the device according to the invention may arise, for example, for the so-called "after-sales service", ie servicing cases downstream of the device sales. Device data, memory data and error information are already in front of you

Customer service visit known, without causing a relatively complicated

Data communication would be required.

The customer could transmit fault messages, in particular encrypted, preferably by automatically generated e-mail or by direct upload to a central database, even before the actual customer service.

If the customer does not have a device according to the invention, then it can be provided to send him one by post. If appropriate, the data can then likewise be transmitted via the customer's computer via the Internet, or the customer sends the device according to the invention after reading the data by mail, e.g. back in the open air.

If necessary, there is the possibility of a direct data transfer to TEC by reading the device according to the invention via its USB interface, e.g. in a branch of the manufacturer of the relevant household appliance.

There may also be advantages for the user of the household appliance. The device according to the invention may e.g. sold as an accessory with added benefit. A suitable client software can read the end user himself

allow device of the invention on his computer and can, for example, those contents that may be made public in plain text. Statistical evaluations for the customer may be enabled, e.g. with focus on energy requirements and raw material requirements for individual usage behavior.

Device malfunctions can be communicated in a positive presentation and offered for transmission to customer service.

Other advantages of the device according to the invention may be depending on the embodiment: An improved preparation for a possible repair of the domestic appliance are also possible in electronics problems. It may be possible to avoid a repair and this be replaced by a telephone consultation.

For example, a commercial use of household appliances can already be detected in advance of the repair.

A binding of the customer to the customer service organization of the home appliance manufacturer can take place.

In the run - up to the repair, improper use of the

Domestic appliance, such as a disregard of decalcification alarm will be detected.

A transmission in particular of the most frequently used device functions to the manufacturer of the household appliance may possibly provide valuable information about future device designs. The device according to the invention can be a professional repair processing

which saves time and costs for the home appliance manufacturer and leaves the customer with a positive impression despite a defective home appliance.

For the manufacturer of the household appliance, there may be an incentive, if necessary, to make more accessible to the USB standard deviating interface of the household appliance.

An added benefit for dedicated customers may result from their own evaluation options, which increases an incentive to purchase the device according to the invention.

There may be an additional sales by marketing opportunity of the device according to the invention.

If the customer does not himself have an inventive device or do not want to buy, a relatively simple mailing is possible due to the possible small size of the device according to the invention. Other advantageous developments of the invention are given in the dependent claims.

The invention and its developments are explained below with reference to a single figure.

The sole figure shows a device with a USB interface and with a deviating from the USB standard interface, a home appliance, a computer and a central database. The figure shows a portable device 1 with a housing 2, within which a memory 3 and an electrical power supply 5 for the memory 3 are arranged. The memory 4 is preferably a non-volatile memory, e.g. a flash memory or an EEPROM. The device 1 further comprises a USB interface or a USB interface 6, which in the case of the present exemplary embodiment has a USB plug 7 and a computing device connected to the USB plug 7 in the form of a USB controller 8. The USB connector 6 can be covered with a plug-in cap 9 and the USB controller 8 is arranged inside the housing 2.

The device 1 also includes a deviating from the USB standard interface or a deviating from the USB standard interface 10, which in the case of the present embodiment, a plug 1 1 and within the housing. 2

arranged and connected to the plug 1 1 via electrical lines 13 further computing device in the form of a controller 12 includes. The interface 10 is based e.g. on the CAN standard or is this e.g. similar. For example, the interface 10 is generally a fieldbus. In the case of the present embodiment, the interface 10 is based on the BSH internal standard D-Bus-2. The controllers 8, 12 are e.g. Microprocessors or microcontrollers.

The two controllers 8, 12 are each connected to the memory 3 and are optionally each supplied via their plug 7, 1 1 with electrical energy.

In addition, the power supply 5 is connected to the two connectors 7, 1 1. The Device 1 or its power supply 5 then receives electrical energy via the two connectors 7, 1 1 or via the two interfaces 6, 10, when the corresponding interface 6, 10 is connected to a suitable interface.

The figure further shows a domestic appliance 14, e.g. a household refrigerator, one

Dishwasher, a stove or a coffee maker, the one

Control device 15 and connected to the control device 15 memory 16 comprises. The home appliance 14 also has a USB standard

deviating interface 17, e.g. based on the CAN standard or this e.g. is similar. In the case of the present embodiment, the interface 17 is based on the BSH internal standard D-Bus-2.

The domestic appliance 14 is implemented in the case of the present embodiment, operating data, such as. Setpoint and actual temperatures, setting, operating data, etc. of the domestic appliance 14 to store. The interface 17 is provided that the interface 10 of the device 1 or its plug 1 1 can be connected to the interface 17 of the domestic appliance 14.

In the case of the present embodiment, the device 1 is provided in the memory

16 of the household appliance 1 stored data retrieve. If the device 1 is connected to the domestic appliance 14 by the plug 1 1 of the interface 10 of the device 1 with the interface

17 of the domestic appliance 14 is connected, then the controller 12 of the deviating from the USB standard interface 10 and the memory 3 of the device 1 via the interface 10, 17 from the household appliance 14 is supplied with electrical energy. Thereafter, the controller 12 automatically starts to read the memory 16 of the domestic appliance 14. The computer program (software) provided for this purpose is stored on the memory 3 of the device 1.

In the case of the present embodiment, the device 1 sends the following requests, so-called "requests", via its interface 10 to the domestic appliance 14 via its controller 12: "ID request" and "memory read-out", i.e. the request is to the

Identification number (ID) of the domestic appliance 14 directed and includes a request for reading the memory 16 of the domestic appliance 14. This request is tailored to the respective domestic appliance 14, for example. Besides, it is in the case of the present Embodiment provided to provide the read-out data with a time stamp. The retrieved from the memory 16 of the domestic appliance 14 data are then stored on the memory 3 of the device 1 with the time stamp.

To increase the security of the device 1, in particular for a user of the domestic appliance 14, the USB interface 6 may be provided with a protective mechanism which prevents or at least reduces an electrical risk of injury when the appliance 1 is connected to the domestic appliance 14.

After the device 1 has read the data from the memory 16 of the domestic appliance 14 and stored it on its memory 3, the device 1 can be removed from the domestic appliance 14. This can be done to the user of the device 1 e.g. be signaled by an unillustrated LED, e.g. stops lighting as soon as the query of the data is finished. The figure also shows a computer 4, e.g. a commercial PC or laptop, which has a USB interface 18. The computer 4 is in the case of the present

Embodiment provided to read stored in memory 3 of the device 1 data. In the case of the present embodiment, the device 1, after it has stored the data read from the home appliance 14 data on its memory 3 and was separated from the domestic appliance 14, with its USB interface 6, in particular with its USB plug 7 with the USB interface 18 of the computer 4 connected. Then, the memory 3 and the USB controller 8 via the USB interface 18 of the computer 4 is supplied with electrical energy.

Then the computer 4, which is configured with a corresponding computer program, automatically starts to read out the data stored in the memory 3 of the device 1.

In the case of the present embodiment, the contents of the data are displayed graphically on the monitor 19 of the computer 4, for example. Thus, for example, a user of the home appliance 14 is enabled to obtain information in a relatively simple manner For example, about the performance of the household appliance 14 to get. The

Information contents of the data may e.g. also be displayed in the form of a table on the monitor 19.

The computer 4 may be configured, for example, such that the graphic

Representation of the contents of the data by means of a web browser on the monitor 19 is shown. The contents may e.g. be displayed in text form. A statistical evaluation of the data with subsequent display on the monitor 19 is conceivable. Thus, e.g. the energy consumption of the household appliance 14 are statistically evaluated by the computer 4 and graphically displayed on the monitor 19. This may assist the user of the home appliance 14 to obtain an overview of the operating costs of the home appliance 14.

In the case of the present embodiment, additionally or alternatively, it may be provided that the computer 4 is configured to receive the data read from the device 1 via a data transmission network 20, e.g. via the Internet, to a central database 21 transmits. This can e.g. in the form of an e-mail or via a particular web-based up-load function. The web-based up-load function can be implemented, for example, via a web page assigned to the manufacturer of the domestic appliance 14. Possibly. It may be expedient if the device 1 is designed so that it can be connected as an independent unit possibly omitting the computer 4 with the data transmission network.

If necessary, the e-mail can be automatically generated and sent. The up-load function on the web page may e.g. be realized automatically by clicking on a field of the web page. Are the data at the central database 21

Once arrived, they can be evaluated and e.g. be displayed graphically by means of a monitor 21 connected to the database 21.

In the case of the present exemplary embodiment, it may also be provided that the computer program running on the device 1, in particular the computer program associated with the controller 12 of the interface 10 deviating from the USB standard, can be updated, for example, via the Internet or the World Wide Web. This update can be done automatically, for example, when the device 1 is connected to the computer 4.

The device 1 can also be used by a customer service to read the data of the domestic appliance 14. But it is also possible that the device 1 the

User of the domestic appliance 14 e.g. is sent by mail, so that reads the data from the household appliance 14 by means of the device 1. If the data is stored on the device 1, then the user can store the data e.g. read out by means of the computer 4 and

For example, transmitted via the data transmission network 20 to the central database 21. But it is also possible to return the device 1 after reading the data, for example by mail to the manufacturer of the household appliance 14.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 portable device

2 housings

3 memory

4 computers

5 electrical power supply

6 USB interface

7 USB connector

8 USB controllers

9 cap

10 interface

1 1 connector

12 controllers

13 electrical lines

14 home appliance

15 control device

16 memories

17 interface

18 USB interface

19 monitor

20 battery

21 Data transmission network

22 monitor

Claims

Apparatus comprising a memory (3), one connected to the memory (3)

Computing device (8, 12), a USB interface (6) and a deviating from the USB standard interface (10), wherein the device (1) is adapted to be supplied via the interface (10) with electrical energy and the computing device (12) is set up to interrogate data automatically via the interface (10) and in

Store memory (3) as soon as electrical energy via the interface (10) is available.

Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the device (1) automatically retrieves the data via its interface (10) only on the basis of the availability of electrical energy via its interface (10).

Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the interface is a contact-bound interface (10).

Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the

Interface is an interface (10) according to the CAN bus standard, or at least similar to this.

Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the

Memory (3) is a non-volatile memory, in particular an EEPROM and / or that the computing device (8, 12) comprises a microprocessor or a microcontroller.

Device according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the device (1) is set up to be supplied with electrical energy via its USB interface (6) and the computing device (8) is set up automatically in the memory (3). to read stored data via its USB port (6) as soon as the device (1) via its USB interface (6) is supplied with electrical energy. A system comprising a device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and a

Domestic appliance (14) having a control device (15), a memory (16) and an interface (12) corresponding to the interface (17) of the device (1), the domestic appliance (14) being arranged to store in its memory (16) To read data via its interface (17) when the device (1) with its interface (12) to the interface (17) of the domestic appliance (14) is connected and automatically starts to read the data.

8. System according to claim 7, characterized in that the data are associated with one or more operating states of the domestic appliance (14).

9. System according to claim 7 or 8, characterized by a computer (4) with a USB interface (18) which is adapted to read in the memory (3) of the device (1) stored data when the device (1) with its USB interface (6) to the USB interface (18) of the computer (4) is connected.

10. System according to claim 9, characterized in that the computer (4)

is set up in particular graphically represent the data read from the device (1) on a monitor (19) connected to the computer (4).

System according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the computer (4) is adapted to be connected to a data transmission network (20), in particular to the Internet, in order to read the data read from the device (1) via the data transmission network (20). to a central database (21).