Method and control unit for operating a cooking hob and cooking hob

Abstract

A method for operating a cooktop (100) having a user interface (114) and a storage area (104) that can be used as an inductive power supply zone for supplying power to mobile household appliances comprises reading an identification signal that includes identifying a mobile household appliance (102) placed on the storage area (104) and determining a range of functions for the user interface (114) adapted to the mobile household appliance (102) using the identification signal.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method and a control unit for operating a hob and to a hob.

[0002] The approach presented here aims to create an improved method and an improved control unit for operating a hob and an improved hob.

[0003] According to the invention, this object is achieved by a method and a control unit for operating a hob, and by a hob having the features of the main claims. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are set forth in the following subclaims.

[0004] The advantages achievable with the invention are the possibility of enabling a user to comfortably operate even small mobile devices.

[0005] A method for operating a hob having a user interface and a storage area usable as an inductive power supply zone for supplying mobile household appliances with power and optionally as an inductive cooking zone for heating cookware comprises the following steps: Reading an identification signal comprising an identification of a mobile household appliance parked in the parking area; and determining a range of functions for the user interface adapted to the mobile household appliance using the identification signal.

[0006] The hob can comprise at least one or a plurality of inductive cooking zones, similar to known hobs. According to one embodiment, at least one of the cooking zones can additionally be used as an inductive power supply zone. A mobile household appliance can be understood to mean an electrical consumer, for example a kettle, a blender, or a toaster. When the mobile household appliance is placed on the power supply zone, it can be wirelessly supplied with the power required to operate the mobile household appliance by means of inductive coupling from the hob. The hob can therefore also be referred to as a transmitter, and the mobile household appliance as a receiver. To operate a mobile household appliance, it can be arranged, for example, placed on a power supply zone. The placement can be detected automatically.The identification signal can, for example, be provided in response to a detected placement of a mobile household appliance on a power supply zone. The identification of the mobile household appliance can uniquely identify the mobile household appliance or a type of mobile household appliance so that it can be distinguished from other mobile household appliances or other types of mobile household appliances. If there are multiple power supply zones, each of the multiple power supply zones can be assigned its own identifier. In this way, it can be determined which household appliance is located in which power supply zone. A corresponding identifier can optionally be transmitted using the identification signal.

[0007] The user interface can, for example, be integrated into a hob plate of the hob. The user interface can thus be an integral part of the hob, similar to known hobs, such as known induction hobs. The hob can be operated by a user via the user interface. For example, the user interface has an input device via which the user can select a hob function, such as a power level for a cooking zone. Optionally, the user interface can comprise a display device via which, for example, a selected function can be displayed or via which input fields of the input device can be displayed or labeled.If the placement of a mobile household appliance on a power supply zone of the hob is detected, the functionality of the user interface can be adapted to enable operation of the mobile household appliance via the user interface. For example, an input field of the user interface can be assigned a selectable function of the mobile household appliance, or the mobile household appliance or selectable functions of the mobile household appliance can be displayed to a user using the user interface.

[0008] The storage area can include a coil for transmitting power to the mobile household appliance and, optionally, for transmitting power to a cooking utensil, as well as another coil for data transmission. Accordingly, the mobile household appliance can include a coil for transmitting power and another coil for data transmission. Optionally, coils suitable for both power transmission and data transmission can be used on both sides.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the identification signal can be read via an interface to a communication module of the parking area, such as preferably a communication coil. The communication module can be designed as a so-called Near Field Communication (NFC) coil for communication.

[0010] This enables data transmission between adjacent coils, as is the case when the mobile household appliance is parked on the storage area.

[0011] In the determining step, an adapted operating design of at least a section of a display device of the user interface can be determined as the adapted functional scope. Accordingly, in a providing step, a setting signal can be provided to the user interface in order to adapt a current operating design of the display device to the adapted operating design. The operating design can, for example, comprise a designation of operating panels of the user interface and additionally or alternatively a representation of operating panels. For example, the display device can be designed as a touch-sensitive display. In this way, the operating design can be modified such that a user is enabled not only to use a cooking function of the hob, but also to use the mobile household appliance.

[0012] Additionally or alternatively, in the determining step, an action signal can be defined as the adapted functional scope. This action signal is output in response to an actuation signal indicating the actuation of a control button of the hob included in the user interface. In this way, the assignment of the control button can be adapted depending on the presence or absence of the mobile household appliance, or even depending on the type of the mobile household appliance.

[0013] For example, the action signal for turning the mobile household appliance on or off can be defined. This allows a user to use the hob's user interface to turn the mobile household appliance on and off.

[0014] In the determining step, the adapted functional scope can be determined using an assignment rule that assigns a plurality of different functional scopes for the user interface to a plurality of different mobile household appliances. For example, the adapted functional scope can be determined using a lookup table in which separate functional scopes for the user interface are stored for a plurality of different mobile household appliances. In this way, upon detection of a mobile household appliance, a functional scope intended for the mobile household appliance can be easily selected and configured.

[0015] The method can include a step of unlocking a previously locked range of functions from the plurality of functions covered by the assignment rule, for example, stored in a lookup table. In this way, the functionality of the cooktop can be easily expanded.

[0016] For example, the method can comprise a step of reading in an activation signal via a short-range communication interface of the cooktop, and the activation step can be carried out in response to the activation signal. In this way, the functionality of the cooktop can be expanded automatically. For example, the activation signal can be read in via a coil of the storage area used for communication and can comprise an activation code contained in the mobile household appliance. In this way, the cooktop can be adapted to a new mobile household appliance. Alternatively, an additional range of functions of the user interface can be carried out in response to reading in an activation code, which can be entered by a user, for example, via the user interface.

[0017] The method may include a step of supplementing the assignment rule with an additional range of functions for one of the plurality of different mobile household appliances or for another household appliance. In this way, the cooktop can be adapted, for example, to newly developed mobile household appliances.

[0018] The approach presented here further provides a control unit configured to perform, control, or implement the steps of a variant of a method presented here in corresponding devices. This embodiment of the invention in the form of a device also allows the problem underlying the invention to be solved quickly and efficiently.

[0019] The control unit can be designed to read in input signals and to determine and provide output signals using the input signals. An input signal can, for example, represent a sensor signal that can be read in via an input interface of the control unit. An output signal can represent a control signal or a data signal that can be provided at an output interface of the control unit. The control unit can be designed to determine the output signals using a processing rule implemented in hardware or software. For example, the control unit can comprise a logic circuit, an integrated circuit, or a software module and can, for example, be implemented as a discrete component or be comprised of a discrete component.

[0020] A corresponding cooktop can comprise a user interface and a storage area, wherein the storage area can be used as an inductive power supply zone for supplying mobile household appliances with energy. Furthermore, the cooktop can comprise a control unit for operating the cooktop. Advantageously, the cooktop can be used in a similar way to known cooktops. Optionally, the storage area can be used as an inductive cooking zone for heating cookware. Such a dual function can save space for a separate power supply zone.

[0021] Also advantageous is a computer program product or computer program with program code that can be stored on a machine-readable carrier or storage medium such as a semiconductor memory, a hard disk memory, or an optical memory. If the program product or program is executed on a computer or a control unit, the program product or program can be used to carry out, implement, and / or control the steps of the method according to one of the embodiments described here.

[0022] Although the approach described is based on a household appliance, the approach described here can be used accordingly in the context of a commercial or professional appliance.

[0023] An embodiment of the invention is shown purely schematically in the drawings and is described in more detail below. It shows Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a hob and a mobile household appliance; Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a control unit for operating a hob; and Figure 3 shows an embodiment of a flowchart of a method for operating a hob.

[0024] Figure 1shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a hob 100 and a mobile household appliance 102. The mobile household appliance 102, for example a toaster, is placed on a storage area 104 of the hob 100. The storage area 104 is a section of a hob plate 106, for example a glass ceramic plate or a worktop, of the hob 100 and is provided for the storage of mobile devices, such as the mobile household appliance 102. In the storage area 104, the hob 100 has an induction unit 108 with at least one electrical coil, here, for example, a transmitter coil 110 and a communication coil 112. Using the induction unit 108, the storage area 104 can be used as an inductive energy supply zone, through which, for example, the mobile household appliance 102 can be supplied with energy to operate the mobile household appliance 102.Optionally, the storage area 104 can be used as a cooking zone using the induction unit 108, by means of which, for example, a cooking pot placed on the storage area 104 can be heated.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the transmitter coil 110 can be controlled to generate an alternating magnetic field via which energy can be transmitted from the cooking surface to the mobile household appliance 102. For this purpose, the mobile household appliance 102 has a receiver coil designed to provide electrical energy using the alternating magnetic field, which can be used to operate the mobile household appliance 102. For example, the mobile household appliance 102 comprises an electric motor and additionally or alternatively a heating resistor, which can be operated using the electrical energy. Optionally, an alternating magnetic field generated by the coil 110 is used to heat a piece of cookware that is placed on the storage area 104 instead of the mobile household appliance 102.

[0026] Preferably, the cooktop 100 corresponds to a first functional unit, in particular an energy transmitter, and the mobile household appliance 102 corresponds to an energy receiver. According to one exemplary embodiment, the mobile household appliance 102 has a communication coil corresponding to the communication coil 112, for example, a so-called Near Field Communication (NFC) coil, for communication between the cooktop and the mobile household appliance.

[0027] The cooktop 100 has a user interface 114, via which the cooktop 100 and additionally the mobile household appliance 102 can be operated. For example, the user interface 114 is integrated into the cooktop 100, here, for example, into the cooktop plate 106. Alternatively, the user interface 114 is implemented, for example, as a remote control or as a functional unit of a mobile device. In order to be able to operate the mobile household appliance 102, the user interface 114 is automatically adapted to the mobile household appliance 102, for example, when the mobile household appliance 102 is arranged in the storage area 104 of the cooktop 100. By way of example only, the user interface 114 comprises a display device 116 and additionally or alternatively an operating button 118. Optionally, the display device 116 is touch-sensitive so that, in addition to displaying information, user inputs can be recorded.According to one embodiment, an operating design of the display device 116 is adapted to the mobile household appliance 102 in response to a detected turning off of the mobile household appliance 102. For example, a correspondingly adapted operating design comprises a graphical representation of the mobile household appliance 102 and additionally or alternatively a graphical representation of at least one function of the mobile household appliance 102 that can be selected by a user, as well as optionally a representation of an operating element through which the user can activate the selectable function of the mobile household appliance 102. According to one embodiment, the operating button 118 can be assigned different functions.For example, the control button 118 can be configured in response to a detected parking of the mobile household appliance 102 such that, in response to a user actuating the control button 118, an action signal suitable for controlling the mobile household appliance 102 is provided. For example, the control button 118 enables activation of the mobile household appliance 102 in this way. If the mobile household appliance 102 is removed from the parking area 104 and another mobile household appliance is placed on the parking area 104, the control button 118 is configured, for example, such that, in response to a user actuating the control button 118, an action signal suitable for controlling the other mobile household appliance is provided.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the mobile household appliance 102 represents a small appliance, and the cooktop 100 is compatible with small appliances. The user interface 114 is embodied, for example, as a so-called UI and is designed with adaptable operation for such small appliances and is, for example, installed in the cooktop 100. Alternatively, the user interface 114 is embodied as a so-called external compatible UI. According to one embodiment, the user interface 114 is embodied as a display into which additional functions can be integrated depending on the type of mobile household appliance 102.

[0029] The described approach can be used in modern kitchens to make functions easily accessible to users, while enabling intuitive operation of devices such as the mobile household appliance 102. According to one exemplary embodiment, short-range communication, known as NFC communication, is first established between the station, in this case the cooktop 100, and a mobile device, in this case the mobile household appliance 102, e.g., in the form of a coffee machine, a kettle, or a blender, in order to thereby control a power supply via induction coils, for example via coils 110, 112, and also to exchange information.

[0030] This creates the possibility of using a communication link directly between the mobile household appliance 102, for example a small appliance such as a kettle, and the hob 100 for additional functionalities. Such communication can, for example, replace or supplement communication via a home network, since small household appliances are rarely considered in a home network. Since the mobile household appliance 102 is located in the immediate spatial proximity of the hob 100 due to its placement on the storage area 104 of the hob 100, coordinated functionalities of the mobile household appliance 102 and the hob 100 are expedient. Therefore, a communication link between the mobile household appliance 102 and the hob 100 is used during the spatial proximity due to the energy supply process to improve user comfort.

[0031] According to one embodiment, a so-called pairing between the cooktop 100 and the mobile household appliance 102 enables additional options of the user interface 114, so-called UI options, on the cooktop 100. This allows, for example, the mobile household appliance 102 to be operated particularly conveniently via the additional options of the user interface 114 on the cooktop 100.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the user interface 114 of the cooktop 100 has a display for this purpose, which preferably adapts at least part of its operating design to a user interface design, a so-called UI design, of the mobile household appliance 102. For example, configurations of a coffee machine operated via the cooktop 100 can be set using these additional options of the user interface 114 on the cooktop 100. Furthermore, the user interface 114 of the cooktop 100, a so-called cooktop UI, can be designed to be significantly clearer than a user interface of the mobile household appliance 102, for example, significantly clearer than the UI of a small appliance.

[0033] According to one embodiment, this feature is provided as a feature on the cooktop 100 that can be activated for a fee. Thus, additional options of the user interface 114 can be provided for specific, predetermined devices of a manufacturer, such as a coffee machine from a particular manufacturer. Alternatively or additionally, such additional functions are also activated via a predefined function database within the cooktop 100 using identification numbers for this additional function transmitted via NFC.

[0034] In addition to the convenient and easy-to-implement display variant of the user interface 114, such additional functions are also used, according to one embodiment, via the control button 118, for example in the form of an additional button, on the hob 100. This is particularly useful for mobile household appliances in the form of small appliances with a very manageable range of functions, such as turning a kettle on and off.

[0035] According to one embodiment, it is possible for a user to use the additional options of the user interface 114 to use functions that are not yet provided directly on the mobile household appliance 102, such as, for example, new coffee preparation modes of the mobile household appliance 102 in the form of a coffee machine, which would only be possible after an update to the coffee machine, but are already adjustable on the hob 100.

[0036] Compared to communication via a home network, the described approach takes advantage of the fact that the mobile household appliance 102, which can be operated via the hob 102, is also located directly on the hob 102, so that a user can also see the mobile household appliance 102 in use and its current status. Furthermore, UI options are enabled that would be difficult or even impossible to display on the mobile household appliance 102 due to its limited size. This enables particularly clear operation of the mobile household appliance 102.

[0037] Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a control unit 200 for operating a hob. The control unit 200 can, for example, be in the Figure 1 shown hob and used to control the operation of the hob.

[0038] The control unit 200 is designed to read in an identification signal 230.

[0039] For example, the identification signal 230 is Figure 1said induction unit of the hob in response to a mobile household appliance being placed on a storage area of ​​the hob assigned to the induction unit. For example, the identification signal is read via an interface to a communication coil of the storage area, which is used for data transmission between the hob and the mobile household appliance. Using the identification signal 230, an identification of the mobile household appliance placed on the storage area is transmitted. Thus, the control unit 200 knows that the mobile device is placed on the storage area and the control unit 200 knows which mobile household appliance is involved. In order to enable a user to conveniently operate the mobile household appliance, the control unit 200 is designed to adapt a range of functions of a user interface to the mobile household appliance.For this purpose, the control unit 200 is configured to determine a range of functions for the user interface that is adapted to the mobile household appliance using the identification of the household appliance transmitted via the identification signal. According to one embodiment, the adapted range of functions relates to a design of the user interface that is visible to a user and, additionally or alternatively, to a link between a user input via the user interface and a resulting action.

[0040] According to one exemplary embodiment, the control unit 200 is configured to determine, as the adapted functional scope, an adapted operating design of at least a portion of a display device of the user interface. For example, the control unit 200 is accordingly configured to provide a setting signal 232 to the user interface, which is suitable for controlling the user interface such that a current operating design of the display device visible to a user is adapted to the adapted operating design. If no mobile household appliance was previously placed on the cooktop, the current operating design displays, for example, only functions for operating the cooktop itself, i.e., for example, exclusively functions for using the cooking zones of the cooktop.In response to the placement of a mobile household appliance, according to one embodiment, the current operating design is switched to the adapted operating design, which now also displays, for example, functions for operating the mobile household appliance. If the mobile household appliance is placed on a storage area that can also be used as a cooking zone, a function for using this cooking zone is optionally hidden in the adapted operating design. For example, the setting signal 232 with the adapted operating design leads to the display of a graphic representation of the mobile household appliance on the display device.

[0041] Additionally or alternatively, according to one embodiment, the control unit 200 is configured to define an action signal 234 as an adapted functional scope, which is suitable, for example, for effecting an action on the mobile household appliance defined by the action signal 234, for example, switching the mobile household appliance on or off or adjusting a speed of a motor or a temperature of a heating device of the mobile household appliance. For example, the action signal 234 is output to the induction unit of the cooktop for this purpose. The action signal 234 is output, for example, in response to an input made by the user at the user interface, for example, an actuation of a control button. A corresponding input is recognized, for example, using an actuation signal 236, which is read in by the control unit 200 according to one embodiment.

[0042] According to one embodiment, the control unit 200 is configured to determine the range of functions adapted to the mobile household appliance using an assignment rule 240, which is used to select a specific range of functions for the user interface for a specific mobile household appliance. For example, the assignment rule 240 is stored in a memory device of the control unit 200, for example in the form of a lookup table or a database, or can be executed as an algorithm. Optionally, the control unit 200 is configured to enable a previously blocked range of functions in the assignment rule 240. In this way, for example, a previously unselectable range of functions for the user interface can be enabled for a new mobile household appliance.For this purpose, the control unit is designed, for example, to read in an enabling signal 242 and, in response to the enabling signal 242, to enable a range of functions defined by the enabling signal 242. For example, the control unit is designed to read in the enabling signal 242 via a wireless interface of the hob, for example via a short-range communication interface, or via the user interface.

[0043] According to one exemplary embodiment, the control unit 200 is designed to supplement the assignment rule 240 with a further range of functions for the user interface. For example, this can add a further range of functions tailored to another mobile household appliance, or a further range of functions can be stored for a mobile household appliance for which a range of functions is already stored in the assignment rule. According to one exemplary embodiment, the control unit 200 is designed to replace or supplement a range of functions already included in the assignment rule with the further range of functions. For example, the control unit is designed to read in a supplementary signal 244 that includes data required for the further range of functions.The supplementary signal 244 can be read in, for example, via an interface to the induction unit of the hob, via which a communication connection to a mobile household appliance exists, or, for example, via the operating interface or a wireless interface of the hob.

[0044] Figure 3 shows an embodiment of a flowchart of a method for operating a hob. The method can be implemented, for example, using devices of a control unit, as described with reference to Figure 2 described.

[0045] In a step 301, an identification signal is read, which includes an identification of a mobile household appliance parked in the parking area. In a step 303, in response to the identification signal and using the identification, a range of functions for the user interface is selected that is adapted to the mobile household appliance.

[0046] If in step 303 an adapted operating design of at least a portion of a display device of the user interface is determined as the adapted functional scope, according to one embodiment in an optional step 305 a setting signal is provided to the user interface by which a current operating design of the display device is adapted to the adapted operating design.

[0047] According to one embodiment, in step 303, the adapted functional scope is defined as an action signal that is output in response to an actuation signal indicating the actuation of a control button of the cooktop included in the user interface. The action signal is suitable, for example, for turning the mobile household appliance on or off.

[0048] For example, in step 303, the adapted range of functions is determined using an assignment rule that assigns a plurality of different functional scopes to a plurality of different mobile household appliances. In this case, an optional step 307 makes it possible to unlock a previously locked range of functions in the assignment rule, so that the subsequently unlocked range of functions can be used in a subsequent step 303. For this purpose, the method optionally has a step 309 in which an activation signal is read in, indicating a range of functions to be activated. The activation signal can be provided automatically, for example, controlled by a mobile household appliance placed on the hob, or provided by a user, for example.

[0049] For example, a short-range communication interface of the cooktop is used to read the activation signal. According to one embodiment, the method comprises a step 311 in which the assignment rule is supplemented by an additional functional scope. The additional functional scope allows the user interface to be adapted, for example, to another previously unsupported mobile household appliance in a subsequent step 303, or a new functional scope can be provided for an already supported mobile household appliance.

[0050] The steps of the procedure can be carried out repeatedly, even in different orders, in order to be able to continuously adapt the user interface to new mobile household appliances that are operated via the hob.

Claims

1. A method for operating a hob (100) having a user interface (114) and a storage area (104) that can be used as an inductive energy supply zone for supplying mobile household appliances with energy, the method comprising the following steps: reading (301) an identification signal (230) that includes an identification of a mobile household appliance (102) placed on the storage area (104); and determining (303) a range of functions for the user interface (114) that is adapted to the mobile household appliance (102) using the identification signal (230).

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the identification signal (230) is read in via an interface to a communication module (110) of the parking area (104).

3. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in the step (303) of determining as the adapted functional scope an adapted operating design of at least a portion of a display device (116) of the user interface (114) is determined, and in a step (305) of providing an adjustment signal (232) is provided to the user interface (114) in order to adapt a current operating design of the display device (116) to the adapted operating design.

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in the step (303) of determining, an action signal (234) is defined as the adapted range of functions, which action signal is output in response to an actuation signal (236) indicating an actuation of an operating button (118) of the hob (100) included in the user interface (114).

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein in the determining step (303) the action signal (234) for switching on or off the mobile household appliance (102) is defined.

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in the step (303) of determining the adapted range of functions is determined using an assignment rule (240) which assigns a plurality of different ranges of functions to a plurality of different mobile household appliances.

7. The method according to claim 6, comprising a step (307) of enabling a previously blocked functional scope from the plurality of functional scopes encompassed by the assignment rule (240).

8. The method according to claim 7, comprising a step (309) of reading in an enabling signal (242) via a short-range communication interface of the hob (100), wherein the enabling step is carried out in response to the enabling signal (242).

9. Method according to one of claims 6 to 8, comprising a step (311) of supplementing the assignment rule (240) with a further range of functions for one of the plurality of different mobile household appliances or for a further mobile household appliance.

10. Control unit (200) which is designed to carry out and / or control the steps of the method according to one of the preceding claims in corresponding units.

11. A hob (100) comprising a user interface (114) and a storage area (104) usable as an inductive power supply zone for supplying mobile household appliances with power, and comprising a control unit (200) according to claim 10.

12. Hob (100) according to claim 11, wherein the storage area (104) can be used as an inductive cooking zone for heating cookware.

13. Computer program product with program code for carrying out the method according to one of claims 1 to 9, when the computer program product is executed on a control unit (200) according to claim 10.

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