System for controlling a domestic appliance
By generating personalized control programs through a distributed control system and self-learning algorithms, the problems of high cost and limited program options in traditional household appliances are solved, and flexible and efficient control program generation is achieved.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
- Filing Date
- 2021-10-13
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-15
AI Technical Summary
Traditional household appliances, especially laundry and laundry appliances, have increased manufacturing costs due to the need for high-performance processors and large-scale memory, and have limited program options, making it impossible for users to obtain control programs that fully match their needs.
A distributed control system is adopted, which generates personalized control programs through network connections between modular control devices, input devices, and household appliances. The program parameters are optimized using a self-learning algorithm, thereby reducing the computing and storage requirements of household appliances.
It enables the generation of personalized control programs on the outside of household appliances, reducing manufacturing costs and energy consumption, while providing an unlimited number of control program options to meet specific user needs.
Smart Images
Figure CN114381903B_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to a system for controlling household appliances. Background Technology
[0002] Traditional household appliances, especially laundry and care appliances, typically feature a large number of program options, high-performance processors, and / or large-scale appliance memory, which increases the manufacturing cost of these appliances. However, even with such high computing or storage capabilities, the program options in traditional household appliances, particularly laundry and care appliances, usually only offer a limited selection of all possible program variations, forcing users to accept trade-offs that are not always advantageous when choosing programs.
[0003] A household appliance with a network interface is disclosed in DE 10 2016 223 950 A1. Summary of the Invention
[0004] The objective of this invention is to provide a system with household appliances that can decentralizedly generate individual control programs for the household appliances tailored to the user.
[0005] This task is solved by means of the subject matter according to the invention. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the specification and drawings.
[0006] According to a first aspect, the objective of the invention is solved by a system for controlling a household appliance, wherein the system includes a household appliance having an appliance control device, a control module having a module control device, and an input device operable by a user of the system, wherein the control module is technically connected to the input device via a first network connection, wherein the control module is technically connected to the household appliance via a second network connection, wherein the input device is configured to transmit at least one input parameter to the control module via the first network connection based on input from the user of the system, wherein the module control device of the control module is configured to generate a control program for the household appliance based on the transmitted at least one input parameter, wherein the control module is configured to transmit the generated control program for the household appliance to the household appliance via the second network connection, and wherein the appliance control device of the household appliance is configured to activate the generated control program for the household appliance so as to implement the generated control program based on user input.
[0007] The resulting technical advantage is that, on the one hand, by generating control programs distributed across control modules, it is unnecessary to maintain the corresponding computing power and storage capacity for generating control programs on the household appliance itself; instead, control modules can be specifically designed for this purpose. This reduces the manufacturing cost and energy consumption of household appliances.
[0008] Control modules include, in particular, modules that are spatially separated from household appliances and input devices, such as central servers or computer clouds.
[0009] The control module can also be connected to multiple input devices via multiple first network connections, and further connected to multiple household appliances via multiple second network connections. This allows the control module to generate control programs for various household appliances based on the transmitted input parameters, particularly for different appliance types and for different user input parameters. In this configuration, the control module ensures the efficient generation of a central control program for a large number of household appliances.
[0010] Another advantage of generating control programs through the modular control device of the control module is that it can create control programs that are individually matched to the corresponding appliance type and the program conditions selected by the user with the help of input parameters, thereby allowing the modular control device to generate an unlimited number of possible control programs.
[0011] Unlike conventional, known simple selections of control programs stored on a central control device, the modular control device according to this disclosure generates the corresponding control program itself, i.e., creates a modular control device or programs a new control program, which is coordinated with the specific control situation of a particular household appliance.
[0012] This is achieved, for example, by storing information about each appliance of the corresponding household appliance in the module control device, particularly the possible controllable ranges of each control parameter of the corresponding appliance. In this regard, the module control device of the control module must, based on the user's input parameters or the appliance specifications of the corresponding household appliance, select only the program blocks that are meaningful to the corresponding appliance, match or determine the control parameters of the corresponding appliance that are meaningful to the corresponding program blocks, combine the matched program blocks into a complete control program, and then transmit the complete control program block to the household appliance.
[0013] In particular, the module control device of the control module has a self-learning algorithm, especially an artificial intelligence-based self-learning algorithm, in order to generate control programs.
[0014] If the household appliance is, for example, a laundry care appliance and includes input parameters transmitted by the user via an input device, such as the selection of laundry parameters (including, for example, the selection of sensitive laundry), then the module control device of the control module can, when generating the control program, limit the temperature during the laundry care process to 30°C, or not integrate the final spin-drying process into the control program, or reduce the speed of the corresponding spin-drying process to a minimum speed, thereby reducing the possibility of damage to sensitive laundry when the generated control program is implemented on the household appliance.
[0015] Therefore, the modular control device of the control module enables the decentralized and thus effective distribution of control programs, particularly applicable to the generation of a large number of different household appliances. By using input parameters transmitted by the user via an input device, the modular control device can regenerate control programs tailored to individual user conditions, thereby ensuring optimized control of the household appliances.
[0016] Household appliances are understood as appliances used for housework. These appliances can be large, such as washing machines, laundry dryers, and dishwashers. However, they can also be small, such as water heaters, fully automatic coffee machines, kitchen appliances, or carpet cleaners.
[0017] In particular, household appliances include laundry and care appliances, such as washing machines or laundry dryers.
[0018] In an advantageous embodiment, the household appliance is a laundry care appliance for caring for laundry, wherein the system includes a laundry care appliance with appliance control devices, a control module with module control devices, and an input device operable by a user of the system, wherein the control module is technically connected to the input device via a first network connection, wherein the control module is technically connected to the laundry care appliance via a second network connection, wherein the input device is configured to transmit at least one input parameter to the control module via the first network connection based on user input to the system, wherein the module control devices of the control module are configured to generate a control program for the laundry care appliance based on the transmitted at least one input parameter, wherein the control module is configured to transmit the generated control program for the laundry care appliance to the laundry care appliance via the second network connection, and wherein the control devices of the laundry care appliance are configured to activate the generated control program for the laundry care appliance so that the generated control program is implemented on the laundry care appliance based on user input to the system.
[0019] The resulting technical advantage is that when laundry care appliances are selected as household appliances, the advantages mentioned for household appliances also apply accordingly.
[0020] In particular, laundry care appliances are drumless laundry care appliances, that is, laundry care appliances that do not have a rotating laundry drum for receiving laundry.
[0021] In an advantageous embodiment, the at least one input parameter includes laundry parameters of the laundry to be introduced into the laundry care appliance, particularly load weight, load volume, laundry type, fabric type, color, and / or degree of soiling.
[0022] The resulting technical advantage is that a control program specifically tailored to the laundry to be cared for is generated through the module control device of the control module.
[0023] For example, based on the load weight and / or load volume, the module control device can optimize the generated control program to supply the laundry with an optimized amount of washing liquid for the load weight and / or load volume.
[0024] In the case of particularly sensitive types of laundry, such as sensitive shirts, or in the case of particularly sensitive fabrics, or in the case of colors that are particularly prone to fading, such as red, the modular control unit can optimize the generated control program to provide, for example, a low detergent temperature during the laundry care process.
[0025] On the other hand, when the laundry has a particularly strong odor and / or is highly soiled, the modular control device can optimize the generated control program to ensure particularly powerful cleaning by matching the temperature to the type of soiling and thus ensure effective removal of soiling or odor.
[0026] In an advantageous embodiment, the generated control program includes at least one control parameter for the laundry care appliance, wherein the control parameter is in particular the duration of the laundry care program, the number and duration of different steps in the laundry care program, the temperature of the washing liquid during the laundry care program or the temperature of different steps in the laundry care program, the amount of laundry care substance supplied and / or the amount of washing liquid supplied.
[0027] The resulting technical advantage is that, when generating the control program, the module control device of the control module can specifically match the control parameters for the laundry care program to be implemented on the laundry care appliance.
[0028] For example, when laundry is heavily soiled, the duration of the laundry care program or the number of steps in the laundry care program can be increased as control parameters, or the temperature of the washing liquid or the amount of laundry care substance can be matched to the type of soiling, for example, by adding a pre-wash step to the control program, and / or by matching the temperature and / or amount of the supplied laundry care substance to the type of soiling during the main wash process.
[0029] In one advantageous embodiment, the input device includes a user's mobile device, particularly a laptop, tablet, or smartphone, wherein the user can manually input input parameters into the mobile device, or wherein the mobile device has an optical detection device, particularly a camera, configured to automatically detect the input parameters.
[0030] The resulting technical advantage is that the mobile appliance enables simple, executable input of parameters for the user of the household appliance. For example, the mobile appliance can have an app compatible with the module control device of the control module, through which the input parameters entered by the user can be easily transmitted from the mobile appliance to the control module via a first network connection and can be used by the module control device to generate a control program.
[0031] Here, the user may manually enter input parameters into the mobile appliance, such as specific laundry parameters for the laundry care procedure, such as fabric type and / or degree of soiling, in the case of a laundry care appliance.
[0032] Alternatively, the mobile appliance may also have an optical detection device, especially a camera, which automatically detects input parameters. For example, a user can take a picture of the laundry to be cared for while using the laundry appliance, and the control module of the App or control module can autonomously determine the input parameters, such as fabric type and / or degree of soiling, based on the picture of the laundry.
[0033] In an advantageous embodiment, the input device is directly connected to a household appliance and includes an optical detection device, particularly a camera, configured to automatically detect input parameters.
[0034] The resulting technical advantage is that users can easily and conveniently determine the corresponding input parameters via camera using an input device that connects directly to household appliances.
[0035] Input devices that connect directly to household appliances can be physically connected to the appliances via cables or wirelessly, allowing users to directly associate the input device with the appliances.
[0036] In an advantageous embodiment, the household appliance and / or input device has a display element, particularly a screen, configured to display input parameters input to the input device, and / or configured to display control parameters of a control program generated by a module control device.
[0037] The resulting technical advantage is that users can promptly check the correct input of input parameters through display elements, especially the screen, and / or users can promptly track the degree to which the control parameters of the generated control program change according to the input parameters.
[0038] For example, the input device itself may have a corresponding display element, especially a screen, and / or household appliances may have a corresponding display device, especially a screen, which is connected to the input device in terms of control technology in order to display the input parameters input to the input device, and / or the display device is connected to the control module in terms of control technology in order to display the control parameters of the generated control program.
[0039] In particular, the matched control parameters of the control program can also be visually displayed to the user on the display element of the household appliance, especially on the screen, so that the user can track, in particular in real time, how the corresponding input parameters provided by the user affect the corresponding control parameters of the control program generated by the module control device.
[0040] In an advantageous embodiment, the module control device has a data memory storing a plurality of program blocks for controlling household appliances, wherein each program block is associated with at least one variable control parameter, and the module control device is configured to select a program block from the plurality of program blocks based on at least one transmitted input parameter and to determine a value for the corresponding variable control parameter based on the at least one transmitted input parameter, so as to generate a control program.
[0041] The technical advantage achieved in this way is that the control module ensures that the control program is generated advantageously from the selected and matched program blocks.
[0042] When generating the control program, the module control device can determine, based on at least one transmitted input parameter, which specific program blocks are accepted into the control program, or which specific program blocks are not accepted into the control program.
[0043] For household appliances, especially laundry and care appliances, the control module can, for example, determine whether to receive a pre-wash program into the control program based on the degree of soiling of the laundry as an input parameter.
[0044] When generating the control program, the module control device can also determine the value of the variable control parameter of the corresponding program block based on at least one input parameter transmitted.
[0045] For household appliances, especially laundry and care appliances, variable control parameters for the main washing process, as an example for program blocks, can include, for example, a variable washing temperature between 30°C and 90°C. If, for example, heavily soiled cooking laundry is transmitted as an input parameter to the control module, the module control device can, when generating the control program, determine the washing temperature to a value of 90°C.
[0046] In an advantageous embodiment, the module control device is configured to generate a pre-control program for a household appliance based on at least one transmitted input parameter in a first generation step, and the module control device is configured to update the pre-control program based on at least one additional input parameter in a second generation step immediately following the first generation step in order to generate a control program for a laundry care appliance, wherein the additional input parameter particularly includes the appliance type of the household appliance.
[0047] The resulting technical advantage is that the modular control device ensures the generation of control programs with particularly high efficiency. In the first generation step, a pre-control program is generated based on input parameters provided by the user. In this pre-control program, the optimal range of control parameters or individual program blocks are determined based on user input, but regardless of the type of household appliance used. In the subsequent second generation step, the modular control device then finely coordinates the control parameters or individual program blocks based on additional input parameters, particularly according to the type of household appliance.
[0048] If the household appliance is, for example, a laundry care appliance and the input parameters transmitted by the user include heavily soiled cooking clothes, the module control device can, for example, pre-determine the temperature of the main washing process within the range of 60°C to 90°C in a pre-control program during the first generation step. If, in a subsequent second generation step, the module control device determines, based on other input parameters, particularly the type of laundry care appliance, that the appliance type has a maximum permissible temperature of 60°C, then the module control device can, for example, finalize the temperature of the main washing process to 60°C in the obtained control program during the second generation step.
[0049] Here, additional input parameters can be stored in the module control device, or additional input parameters can be queried by the module control device from the household appliance via a second network connection.
[0050] In an advantageous implementation, the module control device is configured to implement a self-learning algorithm, particularly an artificial intelligence-based self-learning algorithm, in order to generate a control program.
[0051] The resulting technical advantage is that the corresponding self-learning algorithm of the modular control device can generate multiple different control programs with remarkable efficiency. In particular, the self-learning algorithm of the modular control device enables iterative improvement of the control program; thus, training the self-learning algorithm with multiple different input parameters and multiple different household appliances gradually improves the quality of the generated control program.
[0052] The self-learning capability of the self-learning algorithm in a modular control device can be used by the system manufacturer, for example, by analyzing and evaluating the control program generated by the self-learning algorithm under multiple different household appliances and corresponding different usage conditions during the training phase of the self-learning algorithm. The corresponding evaluations of the generated control program can be fed back to the modular control device within a feedback loop, allowing the self-learning algorithm to learn and improve itself through positive and / or negative evaluations of the generated control program.
[0053] The corresponding feedback system can be used not only by the system manufacturer but also by the user. Here, a user of a specific household appliance can evaluate the control program generated by the modular control device for different usage conditions, for example, through an app configured as an input device for the mobile appliance and / or through an input device on the appliance itself, wherein the user's evaluation is transmitted to the control module. Therefore, based on multiple positive and / or negative evaluations for multiple usage conditions and multiple different household appliances, the self-learning algorithm of the modular control device can be continuously improved.
[0054] In particular, self-learning algorithms can also take into account user-specific preferences, allowing the control program generated by the module control unit to be tailored to a specific user. For example, if user A, with the same laundry detergent and the same load of laundry, always chooses a lower temperature compared to user B, then the self-learning algorithm can take into account user A's corresponding expectations, or indicate to user A the possibility of choosing a higher temperature.
[0055] In one advantageous embodiment, a first network connection has an input transmitter associated with an input device and an input receiver associated with a control module, the input transmitter being configured to transmit at least one input parameter to the control module and the input receiver being configured to receive the input parameter; and / or a second network connection has a module transmitter associated with the control module and an appliance receiver associated with a household appliance, the module transmitter being configured to transmit a generated control program to the household appliance and the appliance receiver being configured to receive the generated control program.
[0056] The resulting technical advantage is that a valid first network connection can be ensured between the input device and the input receiver of the input device for transmitting input parameters from the input device to the control module, or a valid second network connection can be ensured between the module transmitter of the control module and the appliance receiver of the household appliance for transmitting the generated control program from the control module to the household appliance.
[0057] The first and second network connections can include all common wired and / or wireless data connections, such as local connections (e.g., Ethernet), global connections (e.g., the Internet), and / or radio connections (e.g., WLAN or Bluetooth).
[0058] In one advantageous embodiment, the laundry care appliance is a rollerless laundry care appliance.
[0059] The resulting technical advantage is that, in drumless laundry care appliances, that is, in laundry care appliances without a rotating laundry drum for receiving laundry, it is possible to ensure the generation of control programs particularly effectively.
[0060] According to a second aspect, the objective of the invention is solved by a method for controlling a system having a household appliance, wherein the system includes a household appliance having an appliance control device, a control module having a module control device, and an input device operable by a user of the system, wherein the control module is technically connected to the input device via a first network connection, and wherein the control module is technically connected to the household appliance via a second network connection, wherein the method includes the following steps: transmitting at least one input parameter based on user input from the system from the input device to the control module via the first network connection; generating a control program for the household appliance by the module control device based on the transmitted at least one input parameter; transmitting the generated control program for the household appliance from the control module to the household appliance via the second network connection; and activating the generated control program by the appliance control device of the household appliance to implement the generated control program on the household appliance based on user input.
[0061] The technical advantage achieved in this way is that it ensures that control programs are generated advantageously based on user input.
[0062] In one advantageous embodiment, the system includes a laundry care appliance with appliance control devices, a control module with module control devices, and an input device operable by a user of the system. The control module is technically connected to the input device via a first network connection, and technically connected to the laundry care appliance via a second network connection. The method includes the steps of: transmitting at least one input parameter based on user input from the input device to the control module via the first network connection; generating a control program for the laundry care appliance based on the transmitted at least one input parameter by the module control device; transmitting the generated control program for the laundry care appliance from the control module to the laundry care appliance via the second network connection; and activating the generated control program via the control device of the laundry care appliance to implement the generated control program on the laundry care appliance based on user input.
[0063] The resulting technical advantage is that it ensures the efficient generation of control programs for laundry care appliances.
[0064] According to a third aspect, the objective of the invention is achieved by a computer program for running on a control module according to a second aspect, wherein the computer program is configured to implement the method steps of: generating a control program for a household appliance by a module control device based on at least one transmitted input parameter, or generating a control program for a laundry care appliance by a module control device based on at least one transmitted input parameter.
[0065] The implementation method of the household appliance according to the first aspect is also applicable to the implementation method according to the second aspect and the implementation method according to the computer program according to the third aspect. The implementation method according to the second aspect is also applicable to the implementation method of the household appliance according to the first aspect and the implementation method according to the computer program according to the third aspect. Attached Figure Description
[0066] Other embodiments are illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings show:
[0067] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a system for controlling household appliances according to an embodiment of this application; and
[0068] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a method for controlling a system having household appliances according to an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation
[0069] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a system for controlling household appliances according to one embodiment of this application is shown.
[0070] exist Figure 1The system 200 shown includes household appliances 100, i.e., appliances for housework. Figure 1 The household appliance 100 shown can be a large household appliance 100, such as a laundry care appliance 100-1 (especially including a washing machine or laundry dryer) or a dishwasher. However, Figure 1 The household appliance 100 shown can also be a small household appliance 100, such as a water heater, a fully automatic coffee machine, a kitchen machine, or a carpet cleaning appliance.
[0071] In particular, the household appliance 100 is constructed as a laundry care appliance 100-1, which is operated by the user to care for laundry. Figure 1 Household appliances 100, especially laundry and care appliances 100-1, shown only schematically in the text, particularly include Figure 1 The material-containing element for containing laundry care substances, especially detergents, not shown in the figure, and in Figure 1 The laundry area, and especially the laundry room, not shown, is used to house laundry items to be cared for in the laundry care appliance 100-1.
[0072] System 200 also includes an input device 201, which can be operated by a user of system 200, wherein the user can use the input device to input in order to generate input parameters.
[0073] The input device 201 is connected to the control module 205 of the system 200 via the first network connection 203. The control module 205 of the system 200 is connected to the household appliance 100 of the system 200 via the second network connection 207.
[0074] The first network connection 203 includes an input transmitter 209 disposed in an input device 201 and an input receiver 211 disposed in a control module 205. The input transmitter is configured to transmit data to the control module 205, and the input receiver is configured to receive data transmitted from the input transmitter 209.
[0075] The second network connection 207 includes a module transmitter 213 disposed in the control module 205 and an appliance receiver 103 disposed in the household appliance 100. The module transmitter is configured to transmit data to the household appliance 100, and the appliance receiver is configured to receive data transmitted from the module transmitter 213.
[0076] Input device 201 has an input control device 217, which is technically connected to input transmitter 209. Control module 205 has a module control device 219, which is technically connected to input receiver 211 and module transmitter 213. Household appliance 100 has an appliance control device 101, which is technically connected to appliance receiver 103.
[0077] The first network connection 203 and / or the second network connection 207 particularly include wired and / or wireless first and / or second network connections 203, 207.
[0078] The input device 201 is operable by a user of the system 200 and is configured to transmit at least one input parameter to the control module 205 via a first network connection 203 based on user input.
[0079] If the household appliance 100 is a laundry care appliance 100-1, the input parameters include laundry parameters to be introduced into the laundry care appliance 100-1, in particular load weight, load volume, type of laundry (e.g., pants or socks), fabric type (e.g., wool), color, odor, and / or degree of soiling.
[0080] Input device 201 particularly includes a mobile appliance of the user of system 200, especially a laptop, tablet, or smartphone, wherein the user can manually input at least one input parameter into the mobile appliance, especially via an app on the mobile appliance. Alternatively or additionally, the mobile appliance may particularly have an optical detection device, especially a camera, configured to automatically detect at least one input parameter, for example, by taking a picture of the laundry to be introduced into laundry care appliance 100-1 at the user's location using the input device.
[0081] Despite Figure 1 Not shown, but alternatively, the input device 201 can also be directly connected to the household appliance 100, especially the laundry care appliance 100-1, particularly via... Figure 1 Connect via a third network connection, especially a wired connection and / or a wireless connection, not shown in the diagram.
[0082] Therefore, the user of system 200 can provide input parameters, especially laundry parameters, through input to input device 201, which are processed in particular by input control device 217 and transmitted to control module 205 via first network connection 203.
[0083] Household appliances 100 can be found here Figure 1The display element, particularly the screen, not shown, is configured to display at least one input parameter entered in the input device 201. Thus, the user can visually track and check the input parameters (especially those related to laundry) on the display element.
[0084] The module control device 219 of the control module 205 is configured to generate a control program for the household appliance 100, especially the laundry care appliance 100-1, based on at least one transmitted input parameter, particularly laundry parameters.
[0085] The control module 205 includes, in particular, spatially separated components of the system 200 from the household appliance 100, especially the laundry care appliance 100-1, such as a server or computer cloud.
[0086] The control program includes at least one control parameter that can be read by the appliance control device 101 of the household appliance 100, so that the corresponding components of the household appliance 100 can be operated accordingly.
[0087] If the household appliance 100 is a laundry care appliance 100-1, then at least one control parameter includes, in particular, the duration of the laundry care program, the number and duration of different steps in the laundry care program, the temperature of the washing liquid during the laundry care program or during different steps in the laundry care program, and / or the amount of laundry care substance or washing liquid supplied during the laundry care program.
[0088] Based on the input parameters input by the user, especially the parameters of the laundry, the module control device 219 of the control module 205 generates a control program optimized for the input parameters for the household appliance 100, especially the laundry care appliance 100-1.
[0089] Unlike traditional control systems, modular control devices not only call stored programs, but also generate, create, or program individual control programs tailored to specific situations.
[0090] Here, the module control device 219 has a particular feature in Figure 1 A data memory (not shown) stores a plurality of program blocks, each program block being associated with a variable control parameter. The module control device 219 is specifically configured to select a program block from the plurality of program blocks based on at least one transmissible input parameter and to determine at least one variable control parameter to a value based on at least one transmissible input parameter in order to generate a control program.
[0091] Therefore, the various program blocks stored in the module control device 219 serve as basic components for the control program generated by the module control device 219, and the module control device 219 may use or not use specific program blocks in the generated control program based on at least one transferable input parameter, or determine the corresponding possible range of control parameters of the corresponding program block as a specific value.
[0092] Here, the module control device 219 is specifically configured to implement self-learning algorithms, especially artificial intelligence-based self-learning algorithms, in order to generate control programs.
[0093] For example, the module control device 219 is configured to generate a pre-control program for the household appliance 100, particularly the laundry care appliance 100-1, based on at least one transmitted input parameter in a first generation step, and the module control device 219 is configured to update the pre-control program based on at least one additional input parameter in a second generation step immediately following the first generation step, so as to generate a control program for the laundry care appliance 100-1, wherein the additional input parameter particularly includes the appliance type of the household appliance 100.
[0094] In particular, the additional input parameters are stored in the module control device 219, or the additional input parameters can be queried from the household appliance 100 via a second network connection.
[0095] The generated control program is then transmitted from the control module 205 to the household appliance 100, particularly the laundry care appliance 100-1, via the second network connection 207, and especially from the module transmitter 213 to the appliance receiver 103.
[0096] The appliance control device 101 of the laundry care appliance 100-1 is configured to activate a generated control program for the household appliance 100, in particular the laundry care appliance 100-1, so that the generated control program is implemented on the household appliance 100, in particular the laundry care appliance 100-1, based on input from the user of the system 200.
[0097] Therefore, by ensuring that the control program for the household appliance 100, especially the laundry care appliance 100-1, is generated advantageously outside of the household appliance 100, for example, distributed on an external server, resources such as processor capacity and storage space on the household appliance 100 can be saved, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost and expenses of manufacturing the household appliance 100.
[0098] Here, the module control device 219 on the control module 205 is equipped with sufficient resources to ensure that control programs are generated particularly effectively and thus in a timely manner and that the generated control programs are transmitted to the household appliance 100 in a timely manner. This allows the module control device 219 to generate corresponding individual control programs that are coordinated with the corresponding laundry care process, based almost directly on specific input parameters input by the user. This ensures a highly flexible, care-friendly, and resource-saving laundry care process.
[0099] In particular, the matched control parameters of the control program can also be visually displayed to the user on the display element of the household appliance, especially on the screen, so that the user can track, in particular in real time, how the corresponding input parameters provided by the user affect the corresponding control parameters of the control program generated by the module control device.
[0100] Figure 2 A schematic diagram is shown of a method for controlling a system with household appliances.
[0101] As a first method step, method 300 includes: transmitting at least one input parameter of a user based on system 200 from input device 201 to control module 205 via a first network connection 203.
[0102] As a second method step, method 300 includes: generating a control program 303 for the household appliance 100 by the module control device 219 based on at least one transmitted input parameter.
[0103] As a third method step, method 300 includes: transmitting the generated control program for the household appliance 100 from the control module 205 to the household appliance 100 via a second network connection 207.
[0104] As a fourth method step, method 300 includes: activating the control program generated by 307 through the appliance control device 101 of the household appliance 100 so that the generated control program is implemented on the household appliance 100 based on input from the user of the system 200.
[0105] All the features described and illustrated in connection with the various embodiments of the present invention can be arranged in different combinations within the subject matter of the invention in order to achieve their advantageous effects simultaneously.
[0106] The scope of protection of this invention is not limited to the features set forth in the specification or shown in the drawings.
[0107] List of reference numerals
[0108] 100 Household Appliances
[0109] 100-1 Laundry care appliances
[0110] 101 Appliance control device
[0111] 103 Appliance Receiver
[0112] 200 system
[0113] 201 Input Device
[0114] 203 First Network Connection
[0115] 205 Control Module
[0116] 207 Second Network Connection
[0117] 209 Input Transmitter
[0118] 211 Input Receiver
[0119] 213 Module Transmitter
[0120] 217 Input control device
[0121] 219 Module Control Device
[0122] 300 Methods for controlling systems with household appliances
[0123] 301 Transmit Input Parameters
[0124] 303 Generate control programs for household appliances
[0125] 305 Transmit the generated control program for household appliances
[0126] 307 Activate the generated control program
Claims
1. A system (200) for controlling household appliances (100), wherein, The system (200) includes a household appliance (100) having an appliance control device (101), a control module (205) having a module control device (219), and an input device (201) operable by a user of the system (200). The control module (205) is connected to the input device (201) via a first network connection (203) and to the household appliance (100) via a second network connection (207). The input device (201) is configured to transmit at least one input parameter to the control module (205) via the first network connection (203) based on input from a user of the system (200). The module control device (219) of the control module (205) is configured to program a control program for the household appliance (100) based on at least one transmitted input parameter. The control module (205) is configured to transmit a programmed control program for the household appliance (100) to the household appliance (100) via the second network connection (207), and The appliance control device (101) of the household appliance (100) is configured to activate a programmed control program for the household appliance (100) so that the programmed control program is implemented on the household appliance (100) based on input from the user of the system (200). The module control device (219) is configured to program a pre-control program for the household appliance (100) in a first programming step based on at least one transmitted input parameter, wherein the optimal range of control parameters is determined according to user input, but independent of the appliance type of the household appliance used, and wherein the module control device (219) is configured to update the pre-control program in a second programming step immediately following the first programming step based on at least one additional input parameter including the appliance type of the household appliance, thereby finely coordinating the control parameters for programming a control program for the household appliance (100).
2. The system (200) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The household appliance (100) is a laundry care appliance (100-1) for caring for laundry, wherein the system (200) includes the laundry care appliance (100-1) having an appliance control device (101), the control module (205) having the module control device (219), and the input device (201) operable by a user of the system (200), wherein the control module (205) is connected to the input device (201) via a first network connection (203) in a control technology, and wherein the control module (205) is connected to the laundry care appliance (100-1) via a second network connection (207) in a control technology. The input device (201) is configured to transmit at least one input parameter to the control module (205) via the first network connection (203) based on user input from the system (200). The module control device (219) of the control module (205) is configured to generate a control program for the laundry care appliance (100-1) based on at least one transmitted input parameter. The control module (205) is configured to transmit the generated control program for the laundry care appliance (100-1) to the laundry care appliance (100-1) via the second network connection (207), and The appliance control device (101) of the laundry care appliance (100-1) is configured to activate a generated control program for the laundry care appliance (100-1) so that the generated control program is implemented on the laundry care appliance (100-1) based on input from the user of the system (200).
3. The system (200) according to claim 2, characterized in that, The at least one input parameter includes laundry parameters of the laundry to be introduced into the laundry care appliance (100-1).
4. The system (200) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The generated control program includes at least one control parameter for the laundry care appliance (100-1).
5. The system (200) according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The input device (201) includes a user’s mobile device, wherein the user can manually input the input parameters into the mobile device, or wherein the mobile device includes an optical detection device configured to automatically detect the input parameters.
6. The system (200) according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The input device (201) is directly connected to the household appliance (100) and includes an optical detection device configured to automatically detect the input parameters.
7. The system (200) according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The household appliance (100) and / or the input device (201) have a display element configured to display input parameters input to the input device (201), and / or the display element configured to display control parameters of a control program generated by the module control device (219).
8. The system (200) according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The module control device (219) has a data memory storing a plurality of program blocks for controlling the household appliance (100), wherein each program block is associated with at least one variable control parameter, wherein the module control device (219) is configured to select a program block from the plurality of program blocks based on at least one transmitted input parameter and to determine a value for the corresponding variable control parameter based on at least one transmitted input parameter, so as to program the control program.
9. The system (200) according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The module control device (219) is configured to implement a self-learning algorithm in order to program the control program.
10. The system (200) according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The first network connection (203) has an input transmitter (209) associated with the input device (201) and an input receiver (211) associated with the control module (205), the input transmitter being configured to transmit the at least one input parameter to the control module (205), the input receiver being configured to receive the input parameter, and / or wherein the second network connection (207) has a module transmitter (213) associated with the control module (205) and an appliance receiver (103) associated with the household appliance (100), the module transmitter being configured to transmit a programmed control program to the household appliance (100), and the appliance receiver being configured to receive the programmed control program.
11. The system (200) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The laundry care appliance (100-1) is a rollerless laundry care appliance (100-1).
12. The system (200) according to claim 3, characterized in that, The at least one input parameter includes load weight, load volume, type of laundry, fabric type, color, odor, and / or degree of soiling.
13. The system (200) according to claim 4, characterized in that, The control parameters include the duration of the laundry care program, the number and duration of different steps in the laundry care program, the temperature of the washing liquid during the laundry care program or the temperature of the washing liquid at different steps in the laundry care program, the amount of laundry care substance supplied and / or the amount of washing liquid supplied.
14. The system (200) according to claim 5, characterized in that, The input device (201) includes a laptop computer, tablet computer, or smartphone, and the mobile device includes a camera.
15. The system (200) according to claim 6, characterized in that, The optical detection device is a camera.
16. The system (200) according to claim 7, characterized in that, The display element is a screen.
17. The system (200) according to claim 9, characterized in that, The module control device (219) is configured to implement an artificial intelligence-based self-learning algorithm.
18. A method (300) for controlling a system (200) having household appliances (100), wherein, The system (200) includes a household appliance (100) having an appliance control device (101), a control module (205) having a module control device (219), and an input device (201) operable by a user of the system (200), wherein the control module (205) is connected to the input device (201) via a first network connection (203) in a control technology, and wherein the control module (205) is connected to the household appliance (100) via a second network connection (207) in a control technology, characterized in that the method includes the following method steps: At least one input parameter based on the user's input to the system (200) is transmitted (301) from the input device (201) to the control module (205) via the first network connection (203). The module control device (219) programs (303) a control program for the household appliance (100) based on at least one transmitted input parameter; The programmed control program for the household appliance (100) is transmitted from the control module (205) to the household appliance (100) via the second network connection (207); and The programmed control program is activated (307) by the appliance control device (101) of the household appliance (100) so that the programmed control program is implemented on the household appliance (100) based on the input of the user of the system (200). The module control device (219) is configured to program a pre-control program for the household appliance (100) in a first programming step based on at least one transmitted input parameter, wherein the optimal range of control parameters is determined according to user input, but independent of the appliance type of the household appliance used, and wherein the module control device (219) is configured to update the pre-control program in a second programming step immediately following the first programming step based on at least one additional input parameter including the appliance type of the household appliance, thereby finely coordinating the control parameters for programming a control program for the household appliance (100).
19. The method (300) according to claim 18, characterized in that, The household appliance (100) includes a laundry care appliance (100-1) with an appliance control device (101), a control module (205) with a module control device (219), and an input device (201) operable by a user of the system (200). The control module (205) is connected to the input device (201) via a first network connection (203) in a control technology manner, and the control module (205) is connected to the laundry care appliance (100-1) via a second network connection (207). The method includes the following steps: At least one input parameter based on the user's input to the system (200) is transmitted (301) from the input device (201) to the control module (205) via the first network connection (203). The module control device (219) programs (303) a control program for the laundry care appliance (100-1) based on at least one transmitted input parameter; The programmed control program for the laundry care appliance (100-1) is transmitted (305) from the control module (205) to the laundry care appliance (100-1) via the second network connection (207); and The programmed control program is activated by the appliance control device (101) of the laundry care appliance (100-1) (307) so that the programmed control program is implemented on the laundry care appliance (100-1) based on the input of the user of the system (200).
20. A computer program product for running on a control module (205) according to the method of claim 18 or 19, wherein, The computer program product is configured to implement the following method steps: a control program for a household appliance (100) is programmed (303) by a module control device (219) based on at least one transmitted input parameter, or a control program for a laundry care appliance (100-1) is programmed (303) by a module control device (219) based on at least one transmitted input parameter.