WO2022223107A1 - Household appliance and operating method thereof - Google Patents

Household appliance and operating method thereof Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2022223107A1
WO2022223107A1 PCT/EP2021/060358 EP2021060358W WO2022223107A1 WO 2022223107 A1 WO2022223107 A1 WO 2022223107A1 EP 2021060358 W EP2021060358 W EP 2021060358W WO 2022223107 A1 WO2022223107 A1 WO 2022223107A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
user
command
household appliance
door
closed state
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2021/060358
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Thorben SCHIFFLER
Constantin KRAUSSE
Andrea Cadin
Original Assignee
Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag filed Critical Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag
Priority to PCT/EP2021/060358 priority Critical patent/WO2022223107A1/en
Publication of WO2022223107A1 publication Critical patent/WO2022223107A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08C—TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS FOR MEASURED VALUES, CONTROL OR SIMILAR SIGNALS
    • G08C17/00—Arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless electrical link
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L15/00—Washing or rinsing machines for crockery or tableware
    • A47L15/0018—Controlling processes, i.e. processes to control the operation of the machine characterised by the purpose or target of the control
    • A47L15/0049—Detection or prevention of malfunction, including accident prevention
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L15/00—Washing or rinsing machines for crockery or tableware
    • A47L15/0018—Controlling processes, i.e. processes to control the operation of the machine characterised by the purpose or target of the control
    • A47L15/0063—Controlling processes, i.e. processes to control the operation of the machine characterised by the purpose or target of the control using remote monitoring or controlling of the dishwasher operation, e.g. networking systems
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F33/00—Control of operations performed in washing machines or washer-dryers 
    • D06F33/30—Control of washing machines characterised by the purpose or target of the control 
    • D06F33/47—Responding to irregular working conditions, e.g. malfunctioning of pumps 
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F34/00—Details of control systems for washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F34/04—Signal transfer or data transmission arrangements
    • D06F34/05—Signal transfer or data transmission arrangements for wireless communication between components, e.g. for remote monitoring or control
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24C—DOMESTIC STOVES OR RANGES ; DETAILS OF DOMESTIC STOVES OR RANGES, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
    • F24C15/00—Details
    • F24C15/02—Doors specially adapted for stoves or ranges
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24C—DOMESTIC STOVES OR RANGES ; DETAILS OF DOMESTIC STOVES OR RANGES, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
    • F24C7/00—Stoves or ranges heated by electric energy
    • F24C7/08—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
    • F24C7/082—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices on ranges, e.g. control panels, illumination
    • F24C7/085—Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices on ranges, e.g. control panels, illumination on baking ovens
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L12/00—Data switching networks
    • H04L12/28—Data switching networks characterised by path configuration, e.g. LAN [Local Area Networks] or WAN [Wide Area Networks]
    • H04L12/2803—Home automation networks
    • H04L12/2816—Controlling appliance services of a home automation network by calling their functionalities
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L15/00—Washing or rinsing machines for crockery or tableware
    • A47L15/42—Details
    • A47L15/4251—Details of the casing
    • A47L15/4257—Details of the loading door
    • A47L15/4259—Arrangements of locking or security/safety devices for doors, e.g. door latches, switch to stop operation when door is open
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L2301/00—Manual input in controlling methods of washing or rinsing machines for crockery or tableware, i.e. information entered by a user
    • A47L2301/08—Other manual input
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L2401/00—Automatic detection in controlling methods of washing or rinsing machines for crockery or tableware, e.g. information provided by sensors entered into controlling devices
    • A47L2401/26—Loading door status, e.g. door latch opened or closed state
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L2501/00—Output in controlling method of washing or rinsing machines for crockery or tableware, i.e. quantities or components controlled, or actions performed by the controlling device executing the controlling method
    • A47L2501/26—Indication or alarm to the controlling device or to the user
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F2101/00—User input for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F2103/00—Parameters monitored or detected for the control of domestic laundry washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F2103/40—Opening or locking status of doors
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F2105/00—Systems or parameters controlled or affected by the control systems of washing machines, washer-dryers or laundry dryers
    • D06F2105/58—Indications or alarms to the control system or to the user
    • D—TEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F25/00—Washing machines with receptacles, e.g. perforated, having a rotary movement, e.g. oscillatory movement, the receptacle serving both for washing and for centrifugally separating water from the laundry and having further drying means, e.g. using hot air 
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08C—TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS FOR MEASURED VALUES, CONTROL OR SIMILAR SIGNALS
    • G08C2201/00—Transmission systems of control signals via wireless link
    • G08C2201/40—Remote control systems using repeaters, converters, gateways
    • G08C2201/42—Transmitting or receiving remote control signals via a network
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08C—TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS FOR MEASURED VALUES, CONTROL OR SIMILAR SIGNALS
    • G08C2201/00—Transmission systems of control signals via wireless link
    • G08C2201/90—Additional features
    • G08C2201/93—Remote control using other portable devices, e.g. mobile phone, PDA, laptop

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a household appliance and an operating method thereof.
  • the present invention concerns the control of a household appliance by a user electronic apparatus, which is independent to, and separated from, the household appliance, to which the following description will make explicit reference without however losing in generality.
  • modern household appliances are configured in order to be controlled by a user, either locally, i.e. in-site through the control panel arranged on the household appliance, or remotely by a user communication apparatus, such as smart phones or tablets.
  • user communication appliances are configured to perform wireless connections with the household appliances in order to communicate data/signals, and execute mobile applications, i.e. Apps, defining user interfaces by which the user may select commands to be transmitted to the household appliances.
  • the commands may comprise, for example, commands for selecting programs to be implemented, starting command, stop command, and many others kind of commands that the household appliance receives and implements.
  • the user communication appliance is also configured to receive from the household appliance data/information concerning the operating of the household appliance, such as operational status of the program which the appliance is performing, the kind of the program, the end of program, etc.
  • the implementation of the remote control must be carried out by users only when appliance safety conditions are satisfied in order to, on the one side, prevent domestic accident, and on the other side, be sure that received commands are authentic, not accidental.
  • the appliance safety condition is satisfied when the household appliance receives locally, i.e. from its control panel, a manual command, such as a switch-on command or a program selected by the user among a number of prefixed programs or a regulation command.
  • a manual command such as a switch-on command or a program selected by the user among a number of prefixed programs or a regulation command.
  • Aim of the present invention is therefore to satisfy the above requirements.
  • a household appliance comprising: a door which is designed to selectively open and close an inner cavity of the household appliance in order to operate in an open state and in a closed state, respectively, a control panel, a communication module configured to receive a user-command from a user electronic communication apparatus through a communication system, an electronic control system, which is configured to: determine whether the door is in an open state or in a closed state, receive the user-command from said electronic communication apparatus through said communication module and said communication system, control of said household appliance in order to perform command or operation or function based on said received user-command when said door is in the closed state; the electronic control system is further configured to communicate to the user through the control panel a warning message which is indicative of a command or operation or function, that will be automatically activated or performed by said household appliance in response to said received user-command.
  • the technical effect achieved by the local communication of the warning signal in response to the command is that the user is always informed about the operation that will be implemented by the appliance due to his command. This guarantees greater safety both for the user who generated the command as he is always warned about the effect of the command itself, and for other people who did not generate the command but are using the appliance.
  • said electronic control system is further configured to automatically activate or perform said command or operation or function by said household appliance, when it determines that, during a prefixed safety time, said door transits from the open state to the closed state and that said warning message is communicated to the user.
  • the technical advantage obtained is a further increase in the safety of the use of the household appliance.
  • the control of the execution of the two actions over the prefixed safety time and the automatic activation of the operations in response to the user command allows to reduce the risk that the appliance performs incorrect and dangerous commands for the user.
  • the detection of two actions over the prefixed safety time guarantees that the user is informed about the command that will be executed and that the user itself authorizes the execution of the command since he closed the door.
  • the electronic control system is further configured to prevent said control said household appliance to automatically activate or perform said command or operation or function, when it determines that, during a prefixed safety time, said door is in the open state or said warning message is not communicated to the user.
  • the technical advantage obtained is thus that dangerous condition for the user is prevented, when the command is wrong.
  • the electronic control system is further configured to automatically activate or perform said command or operation or function by said household appliance, when said door transits from the open state to the closed state within a prefixed safety time, being calculated from the instant in which said warning message was communicated to the user.
  • the technical effect is that the closure of the door after the warning message confirms that the user has received the warning message and decided to authorize the execution of the command.
  • the detection of closure of the door within the safety time from the communication of the warning message increase further the safety of the operating of the household appliance.
  • the electronic control system is further configured to automatically activate or perform said command or operation or function by said household appliance, when said warning message is communicated to the user within a prefixed safety time being calculated from the instant in which said door was transited from the open state to the closed state.
  • the technical advantage is that the user is always informed about what is happening even when his action to close the door has already been carried out.
  • said user communication apparatus comprises a virtual assistance device, which is configured to communicate said user-command to said communication module through said communication system, based on a vocal command of said user.
  • the technical effect obtained is that the user is immediately informed about a command that has been misinterpreted by the virtual assistant device.
  • said user communication apparatus comprises a mobile device, such as a phone device or a personal computer and is configured to communicate said user-command to said communication module through said communication system, based on command inputted to said phone device or a personal computer by said user.
  • a mobile device such as a phone device or a personal computer and is configured to communicate said user-command to said communication module through said communication system, based on command inputted to said phone device or a personal computer by said user.
  • said warning message is communicated to the user by means of said control panel.
  • said prefixed safety time is comprised from about 1 second to about 300 seconds.
  • the prefixed safety time is comprised between about 15 seconds and about 45 seconds.
  • the household appliance is a laundry washing machine, a laundry drying machine, a laundry washing-drying machine, a dish washing machine, a oven.
  • the electronic control system comprises sensor devices, which are configured to determine whether the door is in a closed state or in an open state.
  • the present invention further concern a method to operating of a household appliance comprising: a door which is designed to selectively open and close an inner cavity of the household appliance in order to operate in an open state and in a closed state, respectively, a control panel, a communication module configured to receive a user-command from a user electronic communication apparatus through a communication system, an electronic control system , which is configured to: determine whether said door is in an open state or in a closed state, receive said user- command from said electronic communication apparatus through said communication module and said communication system, control of said household appliance in order to perform command or operation or function based on said received user-command when said door is in the closed state, communicating to the user through the control panel a warning message which is indicative of a command or operation or function, that will be automatically activated or performed by said household appliance in response to said received user-command.
  • the method further comprises the step of controlling said household appliance in order to automatically activate/perform said command/operation/function, when it determines that, during a prefixed safety time, said door has been transited from the open state to the closed state and said warning message has been communicated to the user.
  • the method further comprises the step of preventing said household appliance to automatically activate or perform said command or operation or function, when it is determined that, during a prefixed safety time, said door is in the open state or said warning message is not communicated to the user.
  • the method further comprises the step of automatically activating or performing the command or operation or function by the household appliance, when the door transits from the open state to the closed state within a prefixed safety time, being calculated from the instant in which the warning message has been communicated to the user.
  • the method comprises the step of automatically activating or performing said command or operation or function by said household appliance, when the warning message is communicated to the user within a prefixed safety time being calculated from the instant in which the door has transited from the open state to the closed state.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic front elevation view of household appliance with schematized an electronic control system, realized in accordance with the teachings of the present invention
  • Figure 2 is a flow chart containing the steps implemented by the method provided in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
  • the electrical household appliance is a laundry-treating machine.
  • the laundry-treating machine may be a laundry washing machine, a laundry drying machine, or a laundry dryer machine or the like.
  • the electrical household electric appliance 1 schematically shown in Figure 1 comprises: an outer casing 2; an inner cavity 3 arranged inside the casing 2 and directly facing a laundry loading/unloading opening 4 formed in casing 2; and a door 5 connected to casing 2 and movable, e.g. rotated, between an open position and a closed position.
  • the inner cavity 3 of the laundry washing machine may correspond to a laundry drum.
  • the present invention is not limited to a laundry treating machine, but according to alternative embodiments (not illustrated), it may be applied to dish washing machines, electrical ovens, and to any other kind of domestic household appliance which is provided with a door which is movable between a closed state and an open state, wherein it closes and respectively open an inner operating compartment/region or inner cavity of the household appliance.
  • Figure 1 shows a household electric appliance 1 being a laundry-treating machine
  • similar considerations may be applied for any kind of household electric appliance provided with a door which may be transferred from an open state to a closed state (and vice versa) to close a inner operating compartment/region (or inner cavity) arranged in the household appliance.
  • the electrical household electric appliance 1 comprises a control panel 6.
  • the control panel 6 may comprise input devices configured to allow users to input/provide commands Sl(i) to the household appliance 1.
  • Input devices may comprise for example one or more knobs or buttons 6a or touch screens 6b.
  • the control panel 6 may be configured to allow the user to locally (in site) enter/input one or more user-commands Sl(i) (wherein “i” is a index which depends on the input command) to the household appliance 1.
  • the user-commands Sl(i) corresponds to the known common commands which users usually select/input to the household appliance 1 through the control panel 6.
  • the control panel 6 may further be configured to communicate information to the user.
  • the control panel 6 may comprise one or more output devices, such as at least one display 6d.
  • control panel 6 may further comprise sound emitting devices 6e.
  • the sound emitting devices 6e may comprise for example sound devices and/or a voice message generator devices or the like.
  • the electrical household electric appliance 1 further comprises an electronic control system 7.
  • the electronic control system 7 is configured to control (supervise) commands/operations/functions performed by the electrical household electric appliance 1.
  • the electronic control system 7 may be configured, for example, to control the laundry treating machine 1 when the latter performs the washing cycles of the laundry washing programs. In other words, if the household electric appliance 1 is a laundry-treating machine 1, the electronic control system 7 controls the laundry treatment programs.
  • the electronic control system 7 may comprise sensor devices 8, which are configured to determine whether the door 5 is in a closed state or in an open state. It is understood that in the closed state, the door 5 closes the opening 4. In the closed state, the door 5 may be preferably locked to prevent the user to load/unload the items in/from the inner cavity 3.
  • the door 5 is preferably unlocked and allows the user to opens the opening 4 to load/unload the items in/from the inner cavity 3.
  • the electronic sensor devices 8 of electronic control system 7 are configured to provide signals/data SD indicative of the state of the door 5 (closed or open).
  • the door 5 when the electrical household electric appliance 1 is a laundry-treating machine, and the door 5 is in the closed state, the door 5 closes the opening 4 and may be locked to prevent the user to load/unload the laundry in/from the laundry drum, whereas in the open state, the door 5 is open and may be unlocked.
  • the electronic sensor device 8 may comprise an electric switch mechanically coupled to a lock mechanism of the door 5.
  • the electric switch may be configured to electrically commute form an on-state to an off-state, and vice-versa, in response to a mechanical actuation of a door lock mechanism 13.
  • the electronic sensor device 8 may be configured to sense/detect the angle position of the door 5 and/or sense/detect the position of a handle (not illustrated) of the door 6, and determine the state of the door 5 based on the angle position and/or the position of an handle.
  • the electronic control system 7 is further configured to receive one or more user commands S2(i) from a user electronic apparatus 11.
  • the user electronic apparatus 11 may comprise a communication appliance.
  • the communication appliance may comprise remote communication devices 11a and/or local communication devices 1 lb.
  • the remote communication devices 11a may be configured to allow the user to remotely (from long distances) control the household appliance 1.
  • the remote communication devices 11a may comprise, for example, a mobile device .
  • the mobile device may comprise a mobile phone apparatus.
  • the mobile phone apparatus may comprise, for example, a smartphone, a tablet lib, and/or a personal computer 11c (PC) such as a desktop-PC, a laptop PC, or the like.
  • the mobile phone apparatus may be configured to implement mobile applications (App).
  • a mobile application (App) may be configured so that when is executed by the mobile phone, causes the mobile phone to carry out a graphic user interface (GUI) by which the user may command/select one or more commands S2(i) to provide to the electrical household appliance 1.
  • GUI graphic user interface
  • the local communication device lib may conveniently comprise a virtual assistance device.
  • the virtual assistance device may comprise a hand-free command device.
  • the hand-free command device may conveniently comprise a smart speaker module configured to generate one or more commands S2(i) based on respective vocal commands of the user.
  • the local communication device lib may be configured to implements smart speaker programs.
  • a smart speaker program may be configured so that when is executed by the local communication device lib, causes the local communication device lib to generate one or more commands S2(i) based on respective vocal commands of the user.
  • commands S2(i) depends on the kind of household appliance 1.
  • Commands S2(i) may comprise one or more of commands which are selectable by the control panel 6.
  • commands S2(i) may corresponds to command Sl(i).
  • the user may select/input commands S2(i) among, at least the following commands: commands for selecting an operating program to be implemented by the household appliance 1 among a number of prefixed programs, and/or commands concerning the control of the operating status of the household appliance 1.
  • the electrical household electric appliance 1 is a laundry-treating machine
  • the user may enter command/s S2(i) relating to the selection of laundry-treating program among a number of prefixed laundry-treating programs (cotton, wool synthetic, etc).
  • the user may enter operating commands S2(i), such as for example: a starting command to start a selected operating program, a pause command to change the state of the household appliance 1 from a working state to a stand-by state, an on/off command to switch on/off of the household appliance, a program delay command, and the like.
  • operating commands S2(i) such as for example: a starting command to start a selected operating program, a pause command to change the state of the household appliance 1 from a working state to a stand-by state, an on/off command to switch on/off of the household appliance, a program delay command, and the like.
  • control/regulation commands S2(i) such as, for example, command to control/regulate the temperature, command to control/regulate the drum- speed and or command to select some washing phases to be implement, or the like.
  • the electronic control system 7 of the household appliance 1 may comprise at least a communication modules 9.
  • the communication module 9 may be configured to communicate (exchange) signals/data with at least one user electronic apparatus 11.
  • the communication module 9 may be configured to perform a bidirectional wireless communication with the user electronic apparatus 11 through a communication system 10.
  • the communication system 10 may comprise a mobile phone communication system (mobile network) and/or a WLAN communication system (network). It is understood that the communication system 10 may further comprise in addition or alternatively, a wire-connected communication system (PSTN network or like).
  • PSTN network wireless local area network
  • the electronic control system 7 further comprises at least an electronic control module 12 (microprocessors or the like), which is electrically connected with the electronic sensor device 8 to receive the signals/data SD indicative of the state of the door 5.
  • an electronic control module 12 microprocessors or the like
  • the electronic control module 12 is electrically connected with the control panel 6.
  • the electronic control module 12 is further configured to receive from the control panel 6 the command Sl(i).
  • the electronic control module 12 is configured to control the household appliance 1 in order to perform prefixed commands/functions/operation based on the command Sl(i).
  • the electronic control module 12 is configured to control the household appliance 1 based on a in-site commands.
  • the electronic control module 12 is further configured to determine by the electronic sensor device 8 the state of the door 5.
  • the electronic control module 12 receives in input the signals/data SD indicative of the state of the door 5 and determines the open state or close state of the door 5 based on the signals/data SD.
  • the electronic control module 12 is further electrically connected with the communication module 9 to communicate (receive/transmit) signals/data to/form the user electronic apparatus 11 through the communication system 10.
  • the electronic control module 12 is further configured to receive form the communication system 10, commands S2(i) provided by user electronic apparatus 11 based on user commands.
  • the electronic control module 12 is further configured to communicate to the user through the control panel 6 a warning message Warn(S2(i)) indicative of a command/operation/function that will be automatically activated/performed by the household appliance 1 in response to the received command S2(i) when the door 5 is in the closed status.
  • a warning message Warn(S2(i)) indicative of a command/operation/function that will be automatically activated/performed by the household appliance 1 in response to the received command S2(i) when the door 5 is in the closed status.
  • the warning message Warn(S2(i)) could be: “ATTENTION: cotton program activated”.
  • the warning message Wam(S2(i)) could be: “ATTENTION, pause”.
  • the warning message Warn(S2(i)) may also comprise other kind of information concerning the command S2(i) of the user.
  • the warning message Wam(S2(i)) may further comprise indication of the selected command S2(i).
  • the warning message Wam(S2(i)) could be ATTENTION switch-off command selected.
  • the electronic control module 12 is further conveniently configured to control the household appliance 1 in order to automatically activate/perform a command/operation/function in response to the command S2(i) when it determines that, during a prefixed safety time PST, the door 5 has been transited from the open state to the closed state and the warning message Wam(S2(i)) has been communicated to the user.
  • the electronic control module 12 is further configured to cause the household appliance 1 to automatically activate/perform prefixed commands/operations/functions which are associated to the received command S2(i) when a safety condition is determined.
  • the safety condition is determined when during the prefixed safety time PST: the warning message Warn(S2(i)) is communicated to the user and the electronic control module 12 determines that door 5 has been transited from the open state to the closed state.
  • the safety condition may be satisfied/met, when during the prefixed safety time PST, firstly the door 5 is transited from the open state to the closed state and after the warning message Wam(S2(i)) is communicated to the user.
  • the prefixed safety time PST may be calculated from the instant in which said door transits in the closed state.
  • the safety condition may be satisfied/met, when during the prefixed safety time PST, firstly the warning message Warn(S2(i)) is communicated to the user and after the door 5 is transited from the open state to the closed state.
  • the prefixed safety time PST may be calculated from the instant in which warning message Warn(S2(i)) is communicated to the user and/or when the electronic control module 12 receives the command S2(i).
  • the technical effect of the automatic activation of the household appliance 1 in the safety condition determined when the two actions described above are performed in a predetermined safety time PST is to further increase the safety of the user.
  • the household appliance is activated/commanded only when the two actions are carried out in a prefixed limited time in order to so as to be sure that the user has be informed of the command which he has given and will be performed.
  • the user electronic appliance 11 is a virtual assistance device (such as smart speakers connected to intelligent personal assistant services apparatus) it is ensured the presence of a user and his intent to actually execute the command. For example, the system performs and additional safety check for the user when the virtual assistance device, i.e. the smart speaker has misunderstood the user and communicate the wrong command to the appliance. In that case, the user is informed in real time by the household appliance on the command provided by the virtual assistance device, and may immediately interrupt the execution of the command when the latter is wrong.
  • the virtual assistance device i.e. the smart speaker has misunderstood the user and communicate the wrong command to the appliance.
  • the user is informed in real time by the household appliance on the command provided by the virtual assistance device, and may immediately interrupt the execution of the command when the latter is wrong.
  • the electronic control module 12 is further configured to prevent the household appliance to automatically activate/perform the command/operation/function in response to the command S2(i), when it determines that, during the prefixed safety time PST, the door 5 has not been transited from the open state to the closed state, and/or the warning message Wam(S2(i)) has not been communicated to the user.
  • the electronic control module 12 prevents the household appliance to automatically activate/perform the command/operation/function based on the command S2(i), when the safety condition is not satisfied/met.
  • prefixed safety is comprised from about 1 second to about 300 seconds.
  • prefixed safety time PST may be comprised between about 15 seconds and about 45 seconds.
  • a command S2(i) selectable by the user through the user electronic apparatus 11 may concern a request to automatically performs a remote control program.
  • the remote control program may be configured in order to allow the user to perform the remote access to the household appliance 1 through the user electronic apparatus 11.
  • the remote control program when the remote control program is performed by the electronic control module 12, the user may start controlling the household appliance 1 by means of the user electronic apparatus 11.
  • the electronic control module 12 may automatically change the control mode or control state of the household appliance 1 in response to the command S2(i).
  • the electronic control module 10 may automatically change the control state of the household appliance 1 from a first control state, wherein the household appliance 1 operates according to command Sl(i) inputted by the user by the control panel 6, to a second control state, wherein the household appliance 1 operates according to commands S2(i) inputted by the user by the user electronic apparatus 11.
  • the remote control program may comprise instructions which, when the remote control program is executed by the electronic control module 12, causes the electronic control module 10 to automatically control the household appliance based on the commands S2(i) which receives from the user electronic apparatus 11.
  • the electronic control module 12 may automatically operate based on the commands S2(i) and, at the same time, it may continue to operate based on the commands Sl(i).
  • the user electronic apparatus 11 may be configured to allow the user to select commands S2 (i) which corresponds to the command S 1(1) performable by the control panel 6.
  • the user electronic apparatus 11 may be configured to perform a user interface, for example by the touch sensitive display, by which the user may input the same commands performable by means of the control panel 6.
  • the electronic control module 12 may selectively perform the remote control program based on command S2(i) when the safety condition is determined, and interrupt the execution of the remote control program when the safety condition is no longer satisfied/met in order to stop/prevent the user to control the household appliance 1 by means of the user electronic apparatus 11.
  • the remote control program may be intermpted/deactivated, when the electronic control module 12 determines a prefixed interruption condition.
  • the interruption condition may determined for example when: the state of the door 5 changes from closed state to open state, and/or a in an electric power off state, and/or the household appliance is switched off.
  • the electronic control module 12 may control the household appliance 1 based on the signals S2(i) received form the user electronic apparatus 11.
  • the user may control the household appliance 1 by the user electronic apparatus 11 in order to perform the common commands performable by the control panel 6, such as, for example: select a program, start the selected program, control a stand-by condition (pause) of the program, switch off the household appliance 1, regulating program parameter, such as temperature of the water, duration of the cycle, and the like.
  • control panel 6 such as, for example: select a program, start the selected program, control a stand-by condition (pause) of the program, switch off the household appliance 1, regulating program parameter, such as temperature of the water, duration of the cycle, and the like.
  • the warning message Warn(S2(i)) may be communicated to the user through the display 6d of the control panel 6.
  • the user message may comprise a prefixed warning message Warn(S2(i)), which is memorized in a memory module not illustrated and is indicative of the fact that the user is requesting the access for implementing the remote control program by means of the user electronic apparatus 11.
  • the user message may be communicated to the user by the sound emitting device 6e.
  • the user message may comprise a voice message or a sound message containing a prefixed sound signal and/or a voice message indicative of said one or more second commands.
  • Figure 2 illustrates a flow chart of an exemplary embodiment of a method in accordance with the invention.
  • the user inputs/selects a command S2(i) by the user electronic apparatus 11.
  • the user electronic apparatus 11 communicates the command S2(i) to the communication module 9 through the communication system 10.
  • the communication module 9 provides the second command S2(i) to the electronic control module 12.
  • the electronic control module 12 communicates the warning message Wam(S2(i)) through the control panel 6 to the user.
  • the warning message Wam(S2(i)) may be indicative of the command/s and/or function/s and/or operation/s that the household appliance will execute based on the received command S2(i).
  • the household appliance 1 conveniently informs the user by the command/s and/or function/s and/or operation/s that the household appliance will execute based on the command S2(i). It is understood that the warning message Wam(S2(i)) may further comprise other information which depend on the command S2(i).
  • the warning message Warn(S2(i)) may contains indications about the specific command S2(i) itself.
  • the control panel 6 may communicate the warning message Warn(S2(i)) through the display 6d and/or the sound emitting device 6e.
  • the electronic control module 12 starts to measure the time t.
  • the electronic control module 12 determines through the electronic sensor device 8 whether the door 5 passes from an open state to a closed state. It is understood that the state of the door 5 may be determined continuously over the entire operating period of the household appliance 1. In other words, the electronic control module 12 may monitor and memorize continuously any change of the state of the door 5.
  • the electronic control module 12 determines/checks if the measured time t is greater than the prefixed safety time PST (step 140).
  • the electronic control module 12 determines that the safety condition is not satisfied/met (block 180).
  • the electronic control module 12 determines that the safety condition is not satisfied/met, the electronic control module 12 prevents the household appliance 1 to automatically execute the command/s and/or function/s and/or operation/s in response to the command S2(i) (block 190).
  • the electronic control module 12 determines the closed state (output YES from block 130), it determines/checks whether the measured time t is lower or equal than the prefixed safety time PST (step 150).
  • the electronic control module 12 determines that the safety condition is not satisfied/met, and prevents the household appliance 1 to automatically execute the command/s and/or function/s and/or operation/s in response to the command S2(i) (block 190).
  • the electronic control module 12 determines that the safety condition is satisfied/met (block 160), and controls the household appliance 1 in order to automatically execute the command/s and/or function/s and/or operation/s in response to the command S2(i) communicated by the user electronic apparatus 11 (block 170).
  • the household appliance and the method described above are advantageous since the combined actions to be performed during the prefixed safety time PST, i.e. the local communication of the user message to the user, and the detection of the closing status of the door, allows to increase the safety of the appliance control implementation through additional user appliances which are not included in the household appliance itself, such as remote devices, smartphone and the like.

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Abstract

Household appliance (1) comprising a door (5) which is designed to selectively open and close an inner cavity of the household appliance (1) in order to operate in an open state and in a closed state, respectively, a control panel (6), a communication module (9) configured to receive a user-command (S2(i)) from a user electronic communication apparatus (11) through a communication system (10), an electronic control system (7), which is configured to: determine whether said door (5) is in an open state or in a closed state, receive said user-command (S2(i)) from said electronic communication apparatus (11) through said communication module (9) and said communication system (10), control of said household appliance (1) in order to perform command or operation or function based on said received user-command (S2(i)) when said door (5) is in the closed state. The said electronic control system is further configured to: communicate to the user through the control panel (6) a warning message (Warn(S2(i))) which is indicative of a command or operation or function, that will be automatically activated or performed by said household appliance (1) in response to said received user-command (S2(i)).

Description

HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE AND OPERATING METHOD THEREOF
The present invention relates to a household appliance and an operating method thereof.
More specifically, the present invention concerns the control of a household appliance by a user electronic apparatus, which is independent to, and separated from, the household appliance, to which the following description will make explicit reference without however losing in generality.
BACKGROUND ART
As is known, modern household appliances are configured in order to be controlled by a user, either locally, i.e. in-site through the control panel arranged on the household appliance, or remotely by a user communication apparatus, such as smart phones or tablets.
In some solutions, user communication appliances are configured to perform wireless connections with the household appliances in order to communicate data/signals, and execute mobile applications, i.e. Apps, defining user interfaces by which the user may select commands to be transmitted to the household appliances. The commands may comprise, for example, commands for selecting programs to be implemented, starting command, stop command, and many others kind of commands that the household appliance receives and implements.
The user communication appliance is also configured to receive from the household appliance data/information concerning the operating of the household appliance, such as operational status of the program which the appliance is performing, the kind of the program, the end of program, etc.
Generally, the implementation of the remote control must be carried out by users only when appliance safety conditions are satisfied in order to, on the one side, prevent domestic accident, and on the other side, be sure that received commands are authentic, not accidental.
In some household appliance the appliance safety condition is satisfied when the household appliance receives locally, i.e. from its control panel, a manual command, such as a switch-on command or a program selected by the user among a number of prefixed programs or a regulation command. However there is a need to increase the safety of users in performing a remote control of the household appliances, without however increasing the complexity of the actions that users must carry out locally for activating the remote control.
Aim of the present invention is therefore to satisfy the above requirements.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
In compliance with the above aims, according to the present invention it is provided a household appliance comprising: a door which is designed to selectively open and close an inner cavity of the household appliance in order to operate in an open state and in a closed state, respectively, a control panel, a communication module configured to receive a user-command from a user electronic communication apparatus through a communication system, an electronic control system, which is configured to: determine whether the door is in an open state or in a closed state, receive the user-command from said electronic communication apparatus through said communication module and said communication system, control of said household appliance in order to perform command or operation or function based on said received user-command when said door is in the closed state; the electronic control system is further configured to communicate to the user through the control panel a warning message which is indicative of a command or operation or function, that will be automatically activated or performed by said household appliance in response to said received user-command.
The technical effect achieved by the local communication of the warning signal in response to the command, is that the user is always informed about the operation that will be implemented by the appliance due to his command. This guarantees greater safety both for the user who generated the command as he is always warned about the effect of the command itself, and for other people who did not generate the command but are using the appliance.
Preferably, said electronic control system is further configured to automatically activate or perform said command or operation or function by said household appliance, when it determines that, during a prefixed safety time, said door transits from the open state to the closed state and that said warning message is communicated to the user. The technical advantage obtained is a further increase in the safety of the use of the household appliance. In fact, the control of the execution of the two actions over the prefixed safety time and the automatic activation of the operations in response to the user command, allows to reduce the risk that the appliance performs incorrect and dangerous commands for the user. In particular, the detection of two actions over the prefixed safety time guarantees that the user is informed about the command that will be executed and that the user itself authorizes the execution of the command since he closed the door.
Preferably the electronic control system is further configured to prevent said control said household appliance to automatically activate or perform said command or operation or function, when it determines that, during a prefixed safety time, said door is in the open state or said warning message is not communicated to the user.
The technical advantage obtained is thus that dangerous condition for the user is prevented, when the command is wrong.
Preferably, the electronic control system is further configured to automatically activate or perform said command or operation or function by said household appliance, when said door transits from the open state to the closed state within a prefixed safety time, being calculated from the instant in which said warning message was communicated to the user.
The technical effect is that the closure of the door after the warning message confirms that the user has received the warning message and decided to authorize the execution of the command. In other words the detection of closure of the door within the safety time from the communication of the warning message increase further the safety of the operating of the household appliance.
Preferably, the electronic control system is further configured to automatically activate or perform said command or operation or function by said household appliance, when said warning message is communicated to the user within a prefixed safety time being calculated from the instant in which said door was transited from the open state to the closed state.
The technical advantage is that the user is always informed about what is happening even when his action to close the door has already been carried out.
Preferably, said user communication apparatus comprises a virtual assistance device, which is configured to communicate said user-command to said communication module through said communication system, based on a vocal command of said user.
The technical effect obtained is that the user is immediately informed about a command that has been misinterpreted by the virtual assistant device.
Preferably, said user communication apparatus comprises a mobile device, such as a phone device or a personal computer and is configured to communicate said user-command to said communication module through said communication system, based on command inputted to said phone device or a personal computer by said user.
Preferably, said warning message is communicated to the user by means of said control panel.
Preferably, said prefixed safety time is comprised from about 1 second to about 300 seconds.
Preferably the prefixed safety time is comprised between about 15 seconds and about 45 seconds.
Preferably, the household appliance is a laundry washing machine, a laundry drying machine, a laundry washing-drying machine, a dish washing machine, a oven.
Preferably the electronic control system comprises sensor devices, which are configured to determine whether the door is in a closed state or in an open state.
The present invention further concern a method to operating of a household appliance comprising: a door which is designed to selectively open and close an inner cavity of the household appliance in order to operate in an open state and in a closed state, respectively, a control panel, a communication module configured to receive a user-command from a user electronic communication apparatus through a communication system, an electronic control system , which is configured to: determine whether said door is in an open state or in a closed state, receive said user- command from said electronic communication apparatus through said communication module and said communication system, control of said household appliance in order to perform command or operation or function based on said received user-command when said door is in the closed state, communicating to the user through the control panel a warning message which is indicative of a command or operation or function, that will be automatically activated or performed by said household appliance in response to said received user-command.
Preferably, the method further comprises the step of controlling said household appliance in order to automatically activate/perform said command/operation/function, when it determines that, during a prefixed safety time, said door has been transited from the open state to the closed state and said warning message has been communicated to the user.
Preferably, the method further comprises the step of preventing said household appliance to automatically activate or perform said command or operation or function, when it is determined that, during a prefixed safety time, said door is in the open state or said warning message is not communicated to the user.
Preferably, the method further comprises the step of automatically activating or performing the command or operation or function by the household appliance, when the door transits from the open state to the closed state within a prefixed safety time, being calculated from the instant in which the warning message has been communicated to the user.
Preferably, the method comprises the step of automatically activating or performing said command or operation or function by said household appliance, when the warning message is communicated to the user within a prefixed safety time being calculated from the instant in which the door has transited from the open state to the closed state.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be highlighted in greater detail in the following detailed description of some of its preferred embodiments, provided with reference to the enclosed drawings.
A non-limiting embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a schematic front elevation view of household appliance with schematized an electronic control system, realized in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a flow chart containing the steps implemented by the method provided in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
With reference to Figure 1, reference number 1 denotes as a whole an electrical household appliance. According to an exemplary embodiment illustrated in Figure 1 and the following description, the electrical household appliance is a laundry-treating machine. The laundry-treating machine may be a laundry washing machine, a laundry drying machine, or a laundry dryer machine or the like.
The electrical household electric appliance 1 schematically shown in Figure 1 comprises: an outer casing 2; an inner cavity 3 arranged inside the casing 2 and directly facing a laundry loading/unloading opening 4 formed in casing 2; and a door 5 connected to casing 2 and movable, e.g. rotated, between an open position and a closed position.
According to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, the inner cavity 3 of the laundry washing machine may correspond to a laundry drum.
It is understood that the present invention is not limited to a laundry treating machine, but according to alternative embodiments (not illustrated), it may be applied to dish washing machines, electrical ovens, and to any other kind of domestic household appliance which is provided with a door which is movable between a closed state and an open state, wherein it closes and respectively open an inner operating compartment/region or inner cavity of the household appliance.
In other words, although Figure 1 shows a household electric appliance 1 being a laundry-treating machine, similar considerations may be applied for any kind of household electric appliance provided with a door which may be transferred from an open state to a closed state (and vice versa) to close a inner operating compartment/region (or inner cavity) arranged in the household appliance.
With reference to Figure 1, the electrical household electric appliance 1 comprises a control panel 6.
The control panel 6 may comprise input devices configured to allow users to input/provide commands Sl(i) to the household appliance 1. Input devices may comprise for example one or more knobs or buttons 6a or touch screens 6b. Preferably, the control panel 6 may be configured to allow the user to locally (in site) enter/input one or more user-commands Sl(i) (wherein “i” is a index which depends on the input command) to the household appliance 1. The user-commands Sl(i) corresponds to the known common commands which users usually select/input to the household appliance 1 through the control panel 6.
The control panel 6 may further be configured to communicate information to the user. Preferably, the control panel 6 may comprise one or more output devices, such as at least one display 6d.
Preferably, the control panel 6 may further comprise sound emitting devices 6e. The sound emitting devices 6e may comprise for example sound devices and/or a voice message generator devices or the like.
The electrical household electric appliance 1 further comprises an electronic control system 7.
According to the present invention, the electronic control system 7 is configured to control (supervise) commands/operations/functions performed by the electrical household electric appliance 1.
If the household electric appliance 1 is a laundry treating machine 1, the electronic control system 7 may be configured, for example, to control the laundry treating machine 1 when the latter performs the washing cycles of the laundry washing programs. In other words, if the household electric appliance 1 is a laundry-treating machine 1, the electronic control system 7 controls the laundry treatment programs. According to the present invention, the electronic control system 7 may comprise sensor devices 8, which are configured to determine whether the door 5 is in a closed state or in an open state. It is understood that in the closed state, the door 5 closes the opening 4. In the closed state, the door 5 may be preferably locked to prevent the user to load/unload the items in/from the inner cavity 3.
Moreover, in the open state, the door 5 is preferably unlocked and allows the user to opens the opening 4 to load/unload the items in/from the inner cavity 3.
As shown in Figure 1, the electronic sensor devices 8 of electronic control system 7 are configured to provide signals/data SD indicative of the state of the door 5 (closed or open).
According to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, when the electrical household electric appliance 1 is a laundry-treating machine, and the door 5 is in the closed state, the door 5 closes the opening 4 and may be locked to prevent the user to load/unload the laundry in/from the laundry drum, whereas in the open state, the door 5 is open and may be unlocked.
According to an exemplary embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, the electronic sensor device 8 may comprise an electric switch mechanically coupled to a lock mechanism of the door 5. For example, the electric switch may be configured to electrically commute form an on-state to an off-state, and vice-versa, in response to a mechanical actuation of a door lock mechanism 13. In a further exemplary embodiment, the electronic sensor device 8 may be configured to sense/detect the angle position of the door 5 and/or sense/detect the position of a handle (not illustrated) of the door 6, and determine the state of the door 5 based on the angle position and/or the position of an handle.
According to the present invention, the electronic control system 7 is further configured to receive one or more user commands S2(i) from a user electronic apparatus 11.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the user electronic apparatus 11 may comprise a communication appliance.
The communication appliance may comprise remote communication devices 11a and/or local communication devices 1 lb.
The remote communication devices 11a (schematically represented in Figure 1 within the ellipse having broken lines) may be configured to allow the user to remotely (from long distances) control the household appliance 1. The remote communication devices 11a may comprise, for example, a mobile device . The mobile device may comprise a mobile phone apparatus. The mobile phone apparatus may comprise, for example, a smartphone, a tablet lib, and/or a personal computer 11c (PC) such as a desktop-PC, a laptop PC, or the like. The mobile phone apparatus may be configured to implement mobile applications (App). A mobile application (App) may be configured so that when is executed by the mobile phone, causes the mobile phone to carry out a graphic user interface (GUI) by which the user may command/select one or more commands S2(i) to provide to the electrical household appliance 1.
The local communication device lib may conveniently comprise a virtual assistance device. The virtual assistance device may comprise a hand-free command device. The hand-free command device may conveniently comprise a smart speaker module configured to generate one or more commands S2(i) based on respective vocal commands of the user. The local communication device lib may be configured to implements smart speaker programs. A smart speaker program may be configured so that when is executed by the local communication device lib, causes the local communication device lib to generate one or more commands S2(i) based on respective vocal commands of the user.
It is understood that commands S2(i) depends on the kind of household appliance 1. Commands S2(i) may comprise one or more of commands which are selectable by the control panel 6. In other words commands S2(i) may corresponds to command Sl(i). For example the user may select/input commands S2(i) among, at least the following commands: commands for selecting an operating program to be implemented by the household appliance 1 among a number of prefixed programs, and/or commands concerning the control of the operating status of the household appliance 1. For example, if the electrical household electric appliance 1 is a laundry-treating machine, the user may enter command/s S2(i) relating to the selection of laundry-treating program among a number of prefixed laundry-treating programs (cotton, wool synthetic, etc...). Moreover, if the electrical household electric appliance 1 is a laundry-treating machine, the user may enter operating commands S2(i), such as for example: a starting command to start a selected operating program, a pause command to change the state of the household appliance 1 from a working state to a stand-by state, an on/off command to switch on/off of the household appliance, a program delay command, and the like. Moreover, if the electrical household electric appliance 1 is a laundry-treating machine, the user may enter control/regulation commands S2(i) such as, for example, command to control/regulate the temperature, command to control/regulate the drum- speed and or command to select some washing phases to be implement, or the like.
According to the present invention, the electronic control system 7 of the household appliance 1 may comprise at least a communication modules 9. The communication module 9 may be configured to communicate (exchange) signals/data with at least one user electronic apparatus 11.
For example, the communication module 9 may be configured to perform a bidirectional wireless communication with the user electronic apparatus 11 through a communication system 10.
The communication system 10 may comprise a mobile phone communication system (mobile network) and/or a WLAN communication system (network). It is understood that the communication system 10 may further comprise in addition or alternatively, a wire-connected communication system (PSTN network or like).
The electronic control system 7 further comprises at least an electronic control module 12 (microprocessors or the like), which is electrically connected with the electronic sensor device 8 to receive the signals/data SD indicative of the state of the door 5.
The electronic control module 12 is electrically connected with the control panel 6. The electronic control module 12 is further configured to receive from the control panel 6 the command Sl(i). The electronic control module 12 is configured to control the household appliance 1 in order to perform prefixed commands/functions/operation based on the command Sl(i). In other words the electronic control module 12 is configured to control the household appliance 1 based on a in-site commands. According to the present invention the electronic control module 12 is further configured to determine by the electronic sensor device 8 the state of the door 5. In other words, the electronic control module 12 receives in input the signals/data SD indicative of the state of the door 5 and determines the open state or close state of the door 5 based on the signals/data SD.
The electronic control module 12 is further electrically connected with the communication module 9 to communicate (receive/transmit) signals/data to/form the user electronic apparatus 11 through the communication system 10.
The electronic control module 12 is further configured to receive form the communication system 10, commands S2(i) provided by user electronic apparatus 11 based on user commands.
According to the present invention, the electronic control module 12 is further configured to communicate to the user through the control panel 6 a warning message Warn(S2(i)) indicative of a command/operation/function that will be automatically activated/performed by the household appliance 1 in response to the received command S2(i) when the door 5 is in the closed status.
For example, when the household appliance 1 is a laundry treating machine, the door is in the closed status, a cotton program was selected, and the command S2(i) selected by user is a starting command which causes the household appliance to start the selected cotton program, the warning message Warn(S2(i)) could be: “ATTENTION: cotton program activated”.
For example, when the household appliance 1 is a laundry treating machine which is implementing a laundry program, the door is in the closed status, and the command S2(i) selected by user is a pause command, the warning message Wam(S2(i)) could be: “ATTENTION, pause”.
Laboratory test made by Applicant proved that when the household appliance 1 communicates to the user the command/function/operation that it will be performed on the basis of his command S2(i), the safety of user is increased.
It is understood that alternatively, or in addition, the warning message Warn(S2(i)) may also comprise other kind of information concerning the command S2(i) of the user. For example the warning message Wam(S2(i)) may further comprise indication of the selected command S2(i). In other words, for example if the user has selected a switch-off command S2(i), the warning message Wam(S2(i)) could be ATTENTION switch-off command selected.
The electronic control module 12 is further conveniently configured to control the household appliance 1 in order to automatically activate/perform a command/operation/function in response to the command S2(i) when it determines that, during a prefixed safety time PST, the door 5 has been transited from the open state to the closed state and the warning message Wam(S2(i)) has been communicated to the user.
In other words the electronic control module 12 is further configured to cause the household appliance 1 to automatically activate/perform prefixed commands/operations/functions which are associated to the received command S2(i) when a safety condition is determined. The safety condition is determined when during the prefixed safety time PST: the warning message Warn(S2(i)) is communicated to the user and the electronic control module 12 determines that door 5 has been transited from the open state to the closed state.
According to a preferred embodiment, the safety condition may be satisfied/met, when during the prefixed safety time PST, firstly the door 5 is transited from the open state to the closed state and after the warning message Wam(S2(i)) is communicated to the user. According to this embodiment, the prefixed safety time PST may be calculated from the instant in which said door transits in the closed state.
In alternative or in addition, the safety condition may be satisfied/met, when during the prefixed safety time PST, firstly the warning message Warn(S2(i)) is communicated to the user and after the door 5 is transited from the open state to the closed state. According to this embodiment, the prefixed safety time PST may be calculated from the instant in which warning message Warn(S2(i)) is communicated to the user and/or when the electronic control module 12 receives the command S2(i). As a result of the generation of the user message and the check of the closed state of the door during the prefixed time, it is obtained, on the one side, an increasing of the safety of the control performed by the user, and on the other side, there is not an increasing of complexity of the actions that users have to carry out on the household appliance 1. Indeed by virtue of the fact that the user is warned by receiving locally by the control panel 6 the user message in response to the reception of command S2(i), and that the door must be closed within the prefixed time PST, a higher safety is ensured because the second action (closure of the door) confirms the fact that the user has been warned. Therefore the technical effect of the automatic activation of the household appliance 1 in the safety condition determined when the two actions described above are performed in a predetermined safety time PST is to further increase the safety of the user. In this way, the household appliance is activated/commanded only when the two actions are carried out in a prefixed limited time in order to so as to be sure that the user has be informed of the command which he has given and will be performed.
Moreover, if the user electronic appliance 11 is a virtual assistance device (such as smart speakers connected to intelligent personal assistant services apparatus) it is ensured the presence of a user and his intent to actually execute the command. For example, the system performs and additional safety check for the user when the virtual assistance device, i.e. the smart speaker has misunderstood the user and communicate the wrong command to the appliance. In that case, the user is informed in real time by the household appliance on the command provided by the virtual assistance device, and may immediately interrupt the execution of the command when the latter is wrong. Conveniently the electronic control module 12 is further configured to prevent the household appliance to automatically activate/perform the command/operation/function in response to the command S2(i), when it determines that, during the prefixed safety time PST, the door 5 has not been transited from the open state to the closed state, and/or the warning message Wam(S2(i)) has not been communicated to the user. In other words the electronic control module 12 prevents the household appliance to automatically activate/perform the command/operation/function based on the command S2(i), when the safety condition is not satisfied/met.
According to a preferred embodiment the prefixed safety is comprised from about 1 second to about 300 seconds. Preferably prefixed safety time PST may be comprised between about 15 seconds and about 45 seconds.
According to a possible embodiment, a command S2(i) selectable by the user through the user electronic apparatus 11 may concern a request to automatically performs a remote control program. The remote control program may be configured in order to allow the user to perform the remote access to the household appliance 1 through the user electronic apparatus 11. In other words, when the remote control program is performed by the electronic control module 12, the user may start controlling the household appliance 1 by means of the user electronic apparatus 11.
Moreover according to an embodiment, when the safety condition is determined, the electronic control module 12 may automatically change the control mode or control state of the household appliance 1 in response to the command S2(i). For example, when the safety condition is determined, the electronic control module 10 may automatically change the control state of the household appliance 1 from a first control state, wherein the household appliance 1 operates according to command Sl(i) inputted by the user by the control panel 6, to a second control state, wherein the household appliance 1 operates according to commands S2(i) inputted by the user by the user electronic apparatus 11.
According to a possible embodiment, the remote control program may comprise instructions which, when the remote control program is executed by the electronic control module 12, causes the electronic control module 10 to automatically control the household appliance based on the commands S2(i) which receives from the user electronic apparatus 11.
It is understood that according to an embodiment, when the safety condition is determined, the electronic control module 12 may automatically operate based on the commands S2(i) and, at the same time, it may continue to operate based on the commands Sl(i).
It is also understood that the user electronic apparatus 11 may be configured to allow the user to select commands S2 (i) which corresponds to the command S 1(1) performable by the control panel 6. In other words the user electronic apparatus 11 may be configured to perform a user interface, for example by the touch sensitive display, by which the user may input the same commands performable by means of the control panel 6.
During the operating of the household appliance 1, the electronic control module 12 may selectively perform the remote control program based on command S2(i) when the safety condition is determined, and interrupt the execution of the remote control program when the safety condition is no longer satisfied/met in order to stop/prevent the user to control the household appliance 1 by means of the user electronic apparatus 11.
It is understood that, for example, the remote control program may be intermpted/deactivated, when the electronic control module 12 determines a prefixed interruption condition. The interruption condition may determined for example when: the state of the door 5 changes from closed state to open state, and/or a in an electric power off state, and/or the household appliance is switched off.
When the remote control program has been activated, the electronic control module 12 may control the household appliance 1 based on the signals S2(i) received form the user electronic apparatus 11.
For example, when the remote control program is activated, the user may control the household appliance 1 by the user electronic apparatus 11 in order to perform the common commands performable by the control panel 6, such as, for example: select a program, start the selected program, control a stand-by condition (pause) of the program, switch off the household appliance 1, regulating program parameter, such as temperature of the water, duration of the cycle, and the like.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the warning message Warn(S2(i)) may be communicated to the user through the display 6d of the control panel 6. For example, the user message may comprise a prefixed warning message Warn(S2(i)), which is memorized in a memory module not illustrated and is indicative of the fact that the user is requesting the access for implementing the remote control program by means of the user electronic apparatus 11.
It is however understood that in addition and/or in alternative, the user message may be communicated to the user by the sound emitting device 6e. For example, the user message may comprise a voice message or a sound message containing a prefixed sound signal and/or a voice message indicative of said one or more second commands. Figure 2 illustrates a flow chart of an exemplary embodiment of a method in accordance with the invention.
At the beginning (block 100), the user inputs/selects a command S2(i) by the user electronic apparatus 11. In this step, the user electronic apparatus 11 communicates the command S2(i) to the communication module 9 through the communication system 10. The communication module 9 provides the second command S2(i) to the electronic control module 12.
Afterwards, (block 110), the electronic control module 12 communicates the warning message Wam(S2(i)) through the control panel 6 to the user. According to an embodiment the warning message Wam(S2(i)) may be indicative of the command/s and/or function/s and/or operation/s that the household appliance will execute based on the received command S2(i). In this step, the household appliance 1 conveniently informs the user by the command/s and/or function/s and/or operation/s that the household appliance will execute based on the command S2(i). It is understood that the warning message Wam(S2(i)) may further comprise other information which depend on the command S2(i). For example for some command S2(i), the warning message Warn(S2(i)) may contains indications about the specific command S2(i) itself. In this step, the control panel 6 may communicate the warning message Warn(S2(i)) through the display 6d and/or the sound emitting device 6e.
In block 120) the electronic control module 12 starts to measure the time t.
In block 130, the electronic control module 12 determines through the electronic sensor device 8 whether the door 5 passes from an open state to a closed state. It is understood that the state of the door 5 may be determined continuously over the entire operating period of the household appliance 1. In other words, the electronic control module 12 may monitor and memorize continuously any change of the state of the door 5.
If not (output NO from block 130), i.e. the door 5 is open, the electronic control module 12 determines/checks if the measured time t is greater than the prefixed safety time PST (step 140).
If the measured time t is greater than the prefixed safety time PST (output YES from block 140), the electronic control module 12 determines that the safety condition is not satisfied/met (block 180).
If the electronic control module 12 determines that the safety condition is not satisfied/met, the electronic control module 12 prevents the household appliance 1 to automatically execute the command/s and/or function/s and/or operation/s in response to the command S2(i) (block 190).
If the electronic control module 12 determines the closed state (output YES from block 130), it determines/checks whether the measured time t is lower or equal than the prefixed safety time PST (step 150).
If not (output NO from block 150), the electronic control module 12 determines that the safety condition is not satisfied/met, and prevents the household appliance 1 to automatically execute the command/s and/or function/s and/or operation/s in response to the command S2(i) (block 190).
If yes (output YES from block 150), the electronic control module 12 determines that the safety condition is satisfied/met (block 160), and controls the household appliance 1 in order to automatically execute the command/s and/or function/s and/or operation/s in response to the command S2(i) communicated by the user electronic apparatus 11 (block 170).
The household appliance and the method described above are advantageous since the combined actions to be performed during the prefixed safety time PST, i.e. the local communication of the user message to the user, and the detection of the closing status of the door, allows to increase the safety of the appliance control implementation through additional user appliances which are not included in the household appliance itself, such as remote devices, smartphone and the like.

Claims

1. Household appliance (1) comprising:
- a door (5) which is designed to selectively open and close an inner cavity of the household appliance (1) in order to operate in an open state and in a closed state, respectively,
- a control panel (6),
- a communication module (9) configured to receive a user-command (S2(i)) from a user electronic communication apparatus (11) through a communication system (10), an electronic control system (7), which is configured to: determine whether said door (5) is in an open state or in a closed state, receive said user-command (S2(i)) from said electronic communication apparatus (11) through said communication module (9) and said communication system (10), control said household appliance (1) in order to perform command or operation or function based on said received user-command (S2(i)) when said door (5) is in the closed state, characterised in that said electronic control system (7) is further configured to: communicate to the user through the control panel (6) a warning message (Wam(S2(i))) which is indicative of a command or operation or function, that will be automatically activated or performed by said household appliance (1) in response to said received user-command (S2(i)).
2. Household appliance according to claim 1, wherein said electronic control system (7) is further configured to automatically activate or perform said command or operation or function by said household appliance (1), when it determines that, during a prefixed safety time (PST), said door (5) transits from the open state to the closed state and that said warning message (Warn(S2(i))) is communicated to the user.
3. Household appliance according to claims 1 or 2, wherein said electronic control system (7) is further configured to prevent said control said household appliance (1) to automatically activate or perform said command or operation or function, when it determines that, during a prefixed safety time (PST), said door (5) is in the open state or said warning message (Warn(S2(i))) is not communicated to the user.
4. Household appliance according to any of the foregoing claims, wherein said electronic control system (7) is further configured to automatically activate or perform said command or operation or function by said household appliance (1), when said door (5) transits from the open state to the closed state within a prefixed safety time (PST), being calculated from the instant in which said warning message (Warn(S2(i))) was communicated to the user.
5. Household appliance according any of the foregoing claims, wherein said electronic control system (7) is further configured to automatically activate or perform said command or operation or function by said household appliance (1), when said warning message (Warn(S2(i))) is communicated to the user within a prefixed safety time (PST) being calculated from the instant in which said door (5) was transited from the open state to the closed state.
6. Household appliance according to any of the foregoing claims, wherein said user communication apparatus (11) comprises a virtual assistance device (lib), which is configured to communicate said user-command (S2(i)) to said communication module (9) through said communication system (10), based on a vocal command of said user.
7. Household appliance according to any of the foregoing claims wherein said user communication apparatus (11) comprises a mobile device and is configured to communicate said user-command (S2(i)) to said communication module (9) through said communication system (10), based on command inputted to said mobile device by said user.
8. Household appliance according to any of the foregoing claims, wherein said warning message (Warn(S2(i))) is communicated to the user by means of display means of said control panel (6).
9. Household appliance according to any of the foregoing claims, wherein said prefixed safety time (PST) is comprised from about 1 second to about 300 seconds.
10. Household appliance according to any of the foregoing claims, wherein the prefixed safety time (PST) is comprised between about 15 seconds and about 45 seconds.
11. Household appliance according to any to any of foregoing claims, wherein the household appliance is a laundry washing machine, a laundry drying machine, a laundry washing-drying machine, a dish washing machine, a oven.
12. Household appliance according to any of foregoing claims, wherein said electronic control system (7) comprises sensor devices (8), which are configured to determine whether said door (5) is in a closed state or in an open state.
13. Method to operating of a household appliance comprising:
- a door (5) which is designed to selectively open and close an inner cavity of the household appliance (1) in order to operate in an open state and in a closed state, respectively,
- a control panel (6),
- a communication module (9) configured to receive a user-command (S2(i)) from a user electronic communication apparatus (11) through a communication system (10), an electronic control system (7), which is configured to: determine whether said door (5) is in an open state or in a closed state, receive said user-command (S2(i)) from said electronic communication apparatus (11) through said communication module (9) and said communication system (10), control of said household appliance (1) in order to perform command or operation or function based on said received user-command (S2(i)) when said door (5) is in the closed state, said method being characterised by comprising the step of communicating to the user through the control panel (6) a warning message (Wam(S2(i))) which is indicative of a command or operation or function, that will be automatically activated or performed by said household appliance (1) in response to said received user-command (S2(i)).
14. Method according to claim 13, comprising the step of controlling said household appliance in order to automatically activate/perform said command/operation/function, when it is determined that, during a prefixed safety time (PST), said door has been transited from the open state to the closed state and the said warning message has been communicated to the user.
15. Method according to claims 13 or 14, comprising the step of preventing said household appliance (1) to automatically activate or perform said command or operation or function, when it is determined that, during a prefixed safety time (PST), said door (5) is in the open state or said warning message (Wam(S2(i))) is not communicated to the user.
16. Method according to any of claims from 13 to 15 comprising the step of automatically activating or performing said command or operation or function by said household appliance (1), when said door (5) transits from the open state to the closed state within a prefixed safety time (PST), being calculated from the instant in which said warning message (Warn(S2(i))) was communicated to the user.
17. Method according any of claims from 13 to 16, comprising the step of automatically activating or performing said command or operation or function by said household appliance (1), when said warning message (Warn(S2(i))) is communicated to the user within a prefixed safety time (PST) being calculated from the instant in which said door (5) was transited from the open state to the closed state.
PCT/EP2021/060358 2021-04-21 2021-04-21 Household appliance and operating method thereof WO2022223107A1 (en)

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Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20140067131A1 (en) * 2012-09-06 2014-03-06 Junpil PARK Home appliance and online system including the same
WO2019238547A1 (en) * 2018-06-16 2019-12-19 Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag Remote control system for controlling an operation of a domestic appliance
EP3594399A1 (en) * 2017-03-07 2020-01-15 Qingdao Haier Drum Washing Machine Co., Ltd. Remote control method for washing machine
US20210017687A1 (en) * 2019-07-17 2021-01-21 Lg Electronics Inc. Remote controllable laundry processing device and control method thereof

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20140067131A1 (en) * 2012-09-06 2014-03-06 Junpil PARK Home appliance and online system including the same
EP3594399A1 (en) * 2017-03-07 2020-01-15 Qingdao Haier Drum Washing Machine Co., Ltd. Remote control method for washing machine
WO2019238547A1 (en) * 2018-06-16 2019-12-19 Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag Remote control system for controlling an operation of a domestic appliance
US20210017687A1 (en) * 2019-07-17 2021-01-21 Lg Electronics Inc. Remote controllable laundry processing device and control method thereof

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