Household appliance and method of operating the same

Abstract

A household appliance (1) has at least one sensor module (5, 6, 12) and a control unit (9), which are connected to each other via a cable group (16) including at least one cable for powering the sensor module and for transmitting data. The at least one sensor module is connected to the control unit (9) via a corresponding FPD-Link III or GMSL compliant connection (8), the FPD-Link III or GMSL compliant connection including a serializer (13) configured for the sensor module, a deserializer (13) configured for the control unit (9), and a corresponding cable group (16) connecting the serializer and the deserializer. A method for operating such a household appliance (1) is provided, in which sensor data generated by at least one sensor module is converted into FPD-Link III compliant serial data by means of a serializer connected to an FPD-Link III connection, the serial data is transmitted via the cable group to the deserializer, where it is decoded, and the decoded sensor data is transmitted to the control unit. The invention is particularly advantageously applicable to refrigeration equipment, especially refrigeration equipment having multiple cameras for capturing images from the refrigerator compartment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a home appliance having at least one sensor module and a control unit, which are interconnected via a cable group including at least one cable for powering the sensor module and for transmitting data. The invention also relates to a method for operating the home appliance, which has at least one sensor module and a control unit, interconnected via a cable group including at least one cable for powering the sensor module and for transmitting data. In particular, the invention is advantageously applicable to refrigeration equipment, especially refrigeration equipment having multiple cameras for capturing images of the cooling chamber. Background Technology

[0002] Home cooling systems are demanding increasingly sophisticated digital capabilities, leading to larger and larger devices. Typically, the number of cameras used in these systems is increasing, requiring them to connect to the control units that drive them over ever-longer distances.

[0003] In current camera systems, USB is typically used for communication between the control unit and the camera. Here, the camera can have its own control unit or be centrally controlled. In another known camera system, the camera connects to the control unit via an LVDS interface. In both cases, a shielded USB cable with at least four pins is used for power supply and data transmission. Therefore, each camera always has at least four pins that must be routed through the device.

[0004] DE 10 2013 211 098 A1 discloses a refrigeration device, which includes a camera module for constructing image data of refrigerated items in the cooling chamber of the refrigeration device, a processor device for processing the image data, and a data bus for transmitting image data from the camera module to the processor device. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The objective of this invention is to at least partially overcome the shortcomings of the prior art, and in particular to use a simple and reliable sensor architecture or a simple sensor system, which allows for cost-effective scalability and high data volumes.

[0006] This task is accomplished according to the features of the present invention. Preferred embodiments can be derived from the technical solutions of the present invention.

[0007] The task is accomplished by a home appliance having at least one sensor module and a control unit, the sensor module and the control unit being connected to each other via a cable group including at least one two-core cable for powering the sensor module and for transmitting data with the sensor module, wherein the at least one sensor module is connected to the control unit via a corresponding, FPD-Link III or GMSL compliant connection, the connection including a serializer configured for the sensor module, a deserializer configured for the control unit, and a corresponding cable group connecting the serializer and the deserializer.

[0008] By establishing an electrical connection compliant with FPD-Link (“Flat Panel Display Link” III or GMSL) between the sensor module and the control unit, this home appliance offers the advantage of enabling long-distance data transmission and exchange via simple and cost-effective cable assemblies, even with large data volumes. This allows for transmission distances of several meters without problems, a stark contrast to traditional ribbon cables, which rarely allow cable lengths exceeding 30 centimeters. Consequently, the sensor module can be placed in virtually any location and connected without issues, even in the case of large home appliances.

[0009] An FPD-Link III compliant connection is specifically understood as a connection designed according to the FPD-Link III specification (“FPD-Link III-connection”) or a connection backward compatible with the FPD-Link III standard. This type of connection or interface allows for the transmission of high-resolution digital video data and bidirectional control channels over cost-effective cables, with connection distances up to 15 meters or even longer, depending on requirements.

[0010] Alternatively, in the inventor's sense, a GMSL-compliant connection is specifically understood as a connection designed according to the GMSL specification ("Gigabit Multimedia Serial Link"). GMSL-compliant connections also allow the transmission of high-bandwidth, high-resolution digital video data over complex interconnects via cost-effective cables, with connection distances up to 15 meters or even longer, depending on requirements.

[0011] To transmit signals via FPD-Link III or GMSL, three components are used: a serializer, which converts the data signal from its original format to FPD-Link III or GMSL; a deserializer, which converts the FPD-Link III or GMSL signal back to its original format (“serializer-deserializer (Ser-Des)”); and a cable assembly connecting the serializer and deserializer. Therefore, connections compliant with FPD-Link III or GMSL are completely transparent to the data (sensor data, control commands, etc.) transmitted through them.

[0012] Another advantage of FPD-Link III or GMSL compatible connections is that they allow for the simple use of sensor modules with different resolutions and speeds, as the serializer can work with serializers of different speeds.

[0013] One configuration integrates a serializer compatible with FPD-Link III or GMSL connections into the corresponding sensor module, and a deserializer into the control unit. The advantage of this is that the sensor module and control unit can be connected to each other via a simple and inexpensive cable bundle, which in particular does not require its own electronics.

[0014] One extension is to integrate the serializer and deserializer into a single cable along with the cable assembly. This has the advantage of allowing for a particularly simple and cost-effective design of the sensor module and control unit.

[0015] One configuration is a cable bundle consisting of a single coaxial cable to carry data and energy. This type of cable bundle is advantageously thin, flexible, and inexpensive, and is particularly easy to install.

[0016] One configuration is a cable assembly that includes (shielded or unshielded) twisted-pair cables for transmitting data (such as sensor data, synchronization data, control commands, etc.) and at least one additional cable for powering the sensor module. This type of cable assembly can be particularly cost-effective.

[0017] One configuration involves the cable assembly being guided to the door of a household appliance via a hinge. This hinge can be a single-joint hinge or a multi-joint hinge. Preferably, the door is pivotally mounted on the household appliance along a vertical axis. Furthermore, the door can be configured as a "French door," comprising a first door and a second door with opposite opening directions, wherein the first and second doors are respectively hinged to the household appliance and are respectively pivotable about a vertical axis in opposite directions away from the main body. The cable assembly can be at least partially mounted in a cable chain. The cable chain can include multiple links connected in pairs and pivotable relative to each other about mutually parallel axes between a tension stop configuration and a bending stop configuration. When the door is in the open position, the cable chain tends to be in a tension shape; when the door is in the closed position, the cable chain tends to be in a bending or loop shape. Preferably, the cable chain is positioned above the hinge, but it can also be guided below and laterally adjacent to the hinge. Due to the thin design of the cable assembly, it can be guided into the refrigerator door via a simple and cost-effective method, such as in the cable chain, through a hinge.

[0018] One configuration involves the cable assembly being guided into the door of the household appliance via a telescopic guide. This door is preferably a drawer door, which is linearly guided via the telescopic guide. The cable assembly can be arranged within the telescopic guide, or it can be mounted or guided on the telescopic guide in a cable housing suspended on the telescopic guide. Furthermore, the cable assembly can be at least partially mounted in a cable chain. This cable chain can include multiple links connected in pairs and capable of pivoting relative to each other about mutually parallel axes between a tension stop configuration and a bending stop configuration. The cable chain is preferably guided below the telescopic guide, but it can also be guided above and laterally along the telescopic guide adjacent to the drawer door. The relatively thin cable assembly allows it to be guided into the drawer door of the household appliance via the telescopic guide in a simple and cost-effective manner.

[0019] The control unit can be designed or referred to as the "system host". It is used in particular to read sensor data transmitted by the sensor modules connected to it and / or to control the sensor modules, and for this purpose it has data processing devices such as microprocessors, ASICs, FPGAs, and especially in the form of so-called SoCs ("system-on-a-chip").

[0020] A sensor module may have one or more sensors. A sensor module is understood as a standalone or replaceable sensor unit or sensor assembly within the electronic architecture of a home appliance. Sensors may be temperature sensors, brightness sensors, or, in particular, camera sensors, gyroscope sensors, or rotation angle sensors.

[0021] One configuration allows for the transmission of sensor data from the sensor module to the control unit, the transmission of additional data from the control unit to the sensor module, and the supply of power to the sensor module via a connection compatible with FPD-Link III or GMSL. This simplifies the deployment and wiring of the sensor module. The additional data can also be transmitted bidirectionally.

[0022] The additional data may include control commands, check data and / or general data, and GPIO (“General Purpose IO”) data. The control commands may be used, for example, to configure and / or trigger camera sensors, for touchscreen feedback, etc. Therefore, connections compatible with FPD-Link III or GMSL can be used, in particular, as lines for bus systems, such as I2C buses, since bus control signals can also be transmitted, for example. Accordingly, connections compatible with FPD-Link III or GMSL are transparent to different data interfaces and can serve as communication paths for different data interface standards, thus making the electronic architecture of home appliances less complex and more cost-effective.

[0023] One configuration involves a data processing unit for the control unit that includes an interface with multiple connectors for corresponding sensor modules. These sensor modules connect to a switch or adapter, and the switch connects to multiple sets of deserializers, designed to alternately switch between sets of deserializers, particularly in time-division multiplexing. Therefore, an advantage of this implementation is that the number of FPD-Link III or GMSL-compatible connections configured for the control unit can be virtually arbitrarily expanded. In particular, sets of deserializers can be integrated into corresponding deserializer assemblies. If the number of FPD-Link III or GMSL-compatible connections that can be implemented on a deserializer assembly is limited, for example, to two or four, then eight FPD-Link III or GMSL-compatible connections or sensor modules can be connected to the control unit, for example, by means of two deserializer assemblies each having four possible FPD-Link III or GMSL-compatible connections; in the case of three such deserializer assemblies, this results in twelve FPD-Link III or GMSL-compatible connections, and so on.

[0024] Generally, home appliances may also have multiple control units for sensor modules, such as control units for refrigeration circuits and ice-making units, which can communicate with each other (e.g., in a master-slave configuration) and / or with a higher-level central control unit.

[0025] Household appliances may also have additional control units, such as control units for the refrigeration circuit or ice-making unit, which are configured to control other device functions.

[0026] One configuration involves the control unit's data processing unit and sensor modules each having a MIPI ("Mobile Industrial Processor Interface") interface or facet, which are interconnected via corresponding FPD-Link III or GMSL-compatible connections. MIPI interfaces offer the advantage of being cost-effective and designed for very low power consumption. The associated FPD-Link III or GMSL-compatible connections transparently link the MIPI interfaces to each other. If more sensor modules are connected to the control unit than the MIPI connectors on the MIPI interfaces, in an expansion scheme, the MIPI data output from the deserializer can be routed via a switch (also known as a MIPI-switch) to the data processing unit's MIPI interface or its connectors, as described above.

[0027] One configuration is that at least one sensor module is a camera module including a camera sensor. Such a sensor module may also be referred to as a camera module. The camera sensor can be designed as shown in Figure 5 of DE 10 2013 211 098 A1. The camera sensor can transmit raw data to the control unit via an associated FPD-Link III or GMSL-compatible connection. Control commands issued by the control unit to the camera module via the FPD-Link III or GMSL-compatible connection may include, for example, control commands for configuring the camera module and / or trigger commands for triggering image capture (single image or image sequence / video) by the camera sensor. Control commands for configuring the camera module may include, for example, control commands for configuring the camera sensor (e.g., a CCD sensor), movable optics of the camera module configured to the camera sensor, illumination devices of the camera module (e.g., LEDs), etc.

[0028] One extension is that the camera module incorporates data processing units for preprocessing image or sensor data, such as for so-called demosaicing, color correction, H.264 / H.265 encoding, and / or distortion correction. This allows for a particularly compact and cost-effective design. The data processing unit can be designed as an image preprocessing SoC with an integrated MIPI interface.

[0029] One extension is to output data from the camera module MIPI / CSI-2 (“Camera Serial Interface 2”). The advantage of this is that data transmission is optimized for image data transmission.

[0030] One configuration includes at least one camera module additionally comprising at least one gyroscope sensor. This provides a particularly compact and versatile sensor module. The gyroscope sensor can be used to detect motion, for example, to determine the door opening position, door opening direction, and / or door opening speed. Sensor data from the gyroscope sensor can be used in the control unit, for example, to determine the trigger time of the camera sensor in the camera / gyroscope sensor module integrated into the door. This trigger time is preferably at an angular position during the door closing process, for example, an open position at 45° relative to the front surface of the household appliance body. The control unit can then send a corresponding trigger command to the sensor module, for example, via a connection compatible with FPD-Link III or GMSL, to trigger image capture. Alternatively, the camera / gyroscope sensor module can autonomously trigger or initiate image capture. Control commands for configuring the gyroscope sensor can include reference data for the door's fully closed state ("zero position," etc.).

[0031] Camera / gyroscope sensor modules can be provided on the inside of multi-door or multi-door home appliances. Specifically, at least two doors close the same processing chamber, particularly a cooling chamber, such as in so-called "French door" refrigeration units. Accordingly, a first camera / gyroscope sensor module can be located on the left-hand first door, and a second camera / gyroscope sensor module can be located on the right-hand second door, where the left-hand first door and the right-hand second door close the same processing chamber, particularly a cooling chamber. The first and second camera / gyroscope modules can be connected to the same deserializer accordingly.

[0032] Furthermore, the camera / gyroscope sensor module can be installed on the inside of the drawer door of household appliances, particularly refrigeration equipment. This door is preferably a drawer door that can be linearly guided via telescopic rails. The camera / gyroscope sensor module preferably captures photographs of the drawer's contents as the drawer door is closed.

[0033] In one configuration, a gyroscope sensor can be configured to switch the serializer component in the camera module from an inactive state to an active state, or vice versa. Specifically, this occurs when the gyroscope sensor detects a movement or change in the rotation angle of the door. The inactive state can be a completely de-energized or sleep state of the serializer component. The active state is preferably a state where the serializer component is in preparation for operation. The gyroscope sensor preferably remains active at all times, thus allowing continuous detection of door movement. Because the gyroscope sensor switches the serializer component in the camera module from an inactive to an active state, the control unit can communicate with the camera module via a connection compatible with FPD-Link III or GMSL. Furthermore, when the camera module is not in use, particularly when the door is in the fully closed position, the serializer component can return to an inactive or sleep state. The advantage of this is that the home appliance can operate energy-efficiently.

[0034] Furthermore, when not in use, the camera module, particularly the camera sensor, can also be placed in a power-off or sleep state. The camera module, particularly the camera sensor, is preferably placed in an inactive or sleep state by the control unit. This preferably occurs after the door of the household appliance has been completely closed, particularly after a certain waiting period following the door's complete closure. During this waiting period, the gyroscope sensor can monitor door movement for a certain time, e.g., 3 to 5 seconds, and not only the camera module, particularly the camera sensor, but also the serializer / deserializer assembly remains active, thus allowing them to react more quickly to the door reopening and eliminating the need for the camera module or serializer / deserializer assembly's startup or wake-up process.

[0035] Alternatively or additionally, a proximity sensor may be preferably provided, which switches the deserializer assembly of the control unit to an active state. The proximity sensor is preferably disposed on the body of the household appliance or on the door. Preferably, the proximity sensor is a Hall sensor. Preferably, the sensing element, particularly a magnet, is disposed in the door, and the sensor unit, particularly the Hall sensor, is disposed on the front side of the body of the household appliance. The control unit preferably receives a signal from the proximity sensor indicating that the door, particularly the sensing element, is outside the detection range of the proximity sensor. In this case, the proximity sensor reports this to the control unit, and the control unit switches the deserializer assembly from an inactive or sleep state to an active state. Furthermore, the control unit may be configured to switch the camera module, particularly the camera sensor, to an active state via an FPD-Link III compatible or GMSL compatible connection to the serializer and deserializer assembly that has been switched to an active state. If the door, particularly the sensing element, is again within the detection range of the proximity sensor, the control unit may, if necessary, return the camera module and then the deserializer to an inactive or sleep state after a certain waiting time of approximately 3 to 5 seconds. The serializer assembly in the camera module is preferably switched to an inactive state via a gyroscope sensor. This enables energy-efficient operation of household appliances.

[0036] The camera sensor can be a camera sensor that is sensitive in the visible light range and / or IR range.

[0037] However, other sensors may be additionally or alternatively present in the sensor module, such as touch screen, weighing unit, sensor for detecting chemical substances, humidity sensor, temperature sensor, etc.

[0038] One configuration is that the household appliance is a refrigeration device with at least one cooling compartment and provides at least one sensor module to monitor at least one cooling compartment. Therefore, by means of a camera module (i.e., a so-called CiF, "camera in the refrigerator"), images of the entire cooling compartment or a portion thereof (e.g., an image of a specific refrigerator compartment or compartment) can be captured. Furthermore, by means of the camera module, photographs can also be taken of the inside of the cooling compartment with the door closed. Possible locations for the sensor module can be, in particular, similar to DE 10 2013 211 098 A1, for example, Figure 9, which is similar to DE10 2013 211 098 A1. The refrigeration device can be a refrigerator, a freezer compartment, or any combination thereof.

[0039] One extension is that the household appliance is a cooking appliance having at least one cooking chamber and providing at least one sensor module to monitor the cooking chamber. Such a sensor module could also be a camera module, which could, for example, be used to capture images of the food to be cooked in order to determine the degree of browning.

[0040] The task is also accomplished by a method for operating a home appliance having at least one sensor module and a control unit, which are interconnected by a cable group including at least one cable to power the sensor module and to transmit data, wherein the at least one sensor module is connected to the control unit via a corresponding FPD-Link III or GMSL connection, wherein, in the method:

[0041] - Translate sensor data generated by at least one sensor module into serial data compliant with FPD-Link III or GMSL using a serializer connected to FPD-Link III or GMSL.

[0042] - The serial data is transmitted to the deserializer via a cable assembly.

[0043] - Using a deserializer to reverse translate, and

[0044] - Transmit the translated sensor data to the control unit.

[0045] This method can be set up similarly to home appliances, or vice versa, and has the same advantages.

[0046] For example, one configuration is that the sensor data from the sensor module is output as MIPI-compliant data. Attached Figure Description

[0047] The above-described properties, features, and advantages of the present invention, as well as the ways in which they are realized, will become clearer and more readily understood in conjunction with the illustrative description of the following embodiments, which will be explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0048] Figure 1 A cross-sectional side view of a household appliance in the form of a refrigerator is shown, which has multiple sensor modules in the form of camera modules;

[0049] Figure 2 Showing according to Figure 1 Cross-sectional diagrams of household appliances;

[0050] Figure 3 The architecture of a refrigerator control unit with a deserializer is shown, wherein multiple sensor modules are connected to the deserializer via corresponding, FPD-Link III or GMSL compatible connections; and

[0051] Figure 4 The architecture of a refrigerator control unit with multiple deserializers is shown, with multiple sensor modules connected to the deserializers via corresponding, FPD-Link III or GMSL compatible connections. Detailed Implementation

[0052] Figure 1 A cross-sectional side view of a household appliance in the form of a refrigerator 1 is shown, which has a cooling compartment 3 that can be closed on the front side via a door 2. The cooling compartment 3 can be subdivided into multiple sub-compartments or compartments in a manner known in principle, for example by means of glass partitions 4. One or more drawers (not shown) may also be present for receiving refrigerated items.

[0053] By way of example only, refrigerator 1 has two sensor modules in the form of camera modules: a camera / gyroscope module 5 mounted on the inside 21 of door 2 and a camera module 6 arranged in the ceiling area of ​​cooling compartment 3. Camera / gyroscope module 5 has a camera sensor and at least one gyroscope sensor, while camera module 6 has only a camera sensor. Camera / gyroscope module 5 and camera module 6 are connected to the control unit (“System Host 7”) via a corresponding FPD-Link III-connection 8. Alternatively, the FPD-Link III-connection may be implemented as a GMSL-compliant or GMSL-compliant connection 8' (“Gigabit Multimedia Serial Link”).

[0054] Furthermore, a proximity sensor 22, particularly a Hall sensor, is arranged on the main body of the home appliance 1, and a sensing element 23, particularly a magnet, is arranged on the door 2. If the door 2 is in the open position or the sensing element 23 is outside the detection range of the proximity sensor 22, the proximity sensor 22 reports this situation to the control unit 7. If the door 2 is in the preferably fully closed position or the sensing element is within the detection range of the proximity sensor 22, the proximity sensor 22 reports this situation to the control unit 7. Depending on the open or closed position of the door 2, the corresponding electrical unit, such as a serializer / deserializer assembly or a camera module, can switch (triggered by the proximity sensor or other sensors) to an active / inactive state or a sleep state to achieve energy-saving operation of the home appliance.

[0055] The refrigerator 1 may also have at least one additional control unit, such as a control unit 9 for controlling the refrigeration circuit.

[0056] For simplicity, the following implementations are described with reference to FPD-Link III compliant Connection 8', but these implementations are similarly applicable to GMSL compliant Connection 8'.

[0057] Figure 2 Showing according to Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a household appliance. In this diagram, the household appliance is also refrigerator 1. (And...) Figure 1In contrast, in this illustration, the refrigerator 1 is shown with the door 2 in the open position. The door 2 is connected to the refrigerator 1 via a hinge 20, particularly a multi-joint hinge, and the door 2 is pivotable about a vertical axis from the closed position to the open position and vice versa. Furthermore, a cable assembly or coaxial cable 16 or an FPD-Link III compliant connection 8 is partially mounted in a cable chain 19. The cable chain 19 comprises multiple links connected in pairs and pivotable relative to each other about mutually parallel axes between a tension stop configuration and a bending stop configuration. In the open position of the door 2, the cable chain 19 tends to have a stretched shape, and in the closed position of the door 2, the cable chain 19 tends to have a bent or even loop shape. The cable chain 19 with the cable assembly 16 is positioned on the upper side of the hinge 20 and can also be held on the hinge 20 by fasteners. Due to the thin design of the cable assembly 16, it can be guided into the door 2 of the refrigerator 2 via the hinge in a simple and cost-effective manner (e.g., the cable chain 20).

[0058] Figure 3 The possible architecture of the system host 7 in the first extension scheme 7a is shown, in which multiple sensor modules are connected to the architecture via corresponding FPD-Link III compliant connections 8. Specifically, here, a camera / gyroscope sensor module 5 equipped with a camera sensor 10 and at least one gyroscope sensor 11, a camera module 6 equipped with a camera sensor 10, and, if necessary, two additional sensor modules 12 are connected to the architecture via corresponding FPD-Link III compliant connections 8 (shown in dashed lines).

[0059] The FPD-Link III-Connection 8 includes a serializer 13 integrated in sensor modules 5, 6, and 12, and a deserializer 14 integrated in the system host 7a, wherein the four deserializers 14 are mounted in a common deserializer assembly 15. The serializers 13 are connected to the corresponding deserializers 14 via corresponding FPD-Link III compliant coaxial cables 16 of the respective FPD-Link III-Connection 8.

[0060] The deserializer 12 connects to one of the four exemplary connectors of the MIPI interface of the data processing device 17 of the system host 7a, so that the respective sensors of sensor modules 5, 6, and 12 (which also have MIPI interfaces) are transparently connected to the corresponding connectors of the MIPI interface of the data processing device 17. Camera modules 5, 6, and 12 equipped with camera sensor 10 may also have an image preprocessing device.

[0061] Sensor data (i.e., image data) acquired by camera sensor 10 is output as MIPI-compliant data—preprocessed if necessary—to a connected serializer 13. The serializer converts the MIPI data to FPD-Link III compliance and sends it via a corresponding coaxial cable 16 to a corresponding deserializer 14. At the deserializer 14, the serialized data is converted back to original MIPI data and forwarded to the MIPI interface of the data processing unit 17. The data processing unit 17 can further process and evaluate the image, for example, for identifying objects stored in the cooling chamber 3.

[0062] In the opposite direction, the data processing device 17 can, for example, send control data to the sensor modules 5, 6 and 12 in a targeted manner.

[0063] Sensor data from sensors other than camera sensor 10 (e.g., gyroscope sensor 11) are transmitted in a similar manner, and can be transmitted, especially when using a bus architecture (e.g., I...). 2 In the case of a C-bus, data is transmitted via the same FPD-Link III compliant connection 8 and received logically separately or independently by the data processing device 17. Therefore, the FPD-Link III compliant connection 8 can also typically be used as a bus.

[0064] Furthermore, the gyroscope sensor 15 can be configured to switch the serializer 13 from an active state to an inactive state, such as a complete power-off or sleep state, or vice versa, to achieve energy-efficient operation of the home appliance 1. Similarly, for energy-saving reasons, the camera sensor 10 can also be switched to an inactive state, such as a complete power-off or sleep state, via the control unit 7, triggered by the proximity sensor 22 or the gyroscope sensor 11, through an active, FPD-Link III compliant connection 8.

[0065] Figure 4 The architecture of the alternative expansion scheme 7b with system host 7 is shown. Compared with the MIPI connector at the data processing unit 17, more sensor modules are connected to the system host via corresponding FPD-Link III compliant connections 8. Specifically, here are camera module 5, camera module 6, three additional sensor modules 12, and additional sensor modules 12 (shown in dashed lines if necessary).

[0066] Since the deserializer assembly 15 here has only four connectors for the coaxial cable 16, two deserializer assemblies 15 can be used to connect up to eight sensor modules 5, 6, 12, which operate via a switch, here a MIPI switch 18, so that the MIPI data output from the deserializer 14 arrives at the data processing device 17 alternately, for example, in a time-multiplexed manner. This structure circumvents the potential limitation of the number of connectors of the deserializer assembly 15. Therefore, a 6- or 8-camera module scheme can also be implemented using the system host 7b. This structure can also be similarly extended to more than eight sensor modules 5, 6, 12.

[0067] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments shown.

[0068] For example, there may be more or fewer MIPI connectors on the data processing device 17. Furthermore, it is not necessary to combine multiple deserializers 14 into a single deserializer assembly 15. Additionally, the deserializer assembly 15 may have more or fewer deserializers 14 than the MIPI connectors on the data processing device 17.

[0069] Generally speaking, "one" or "one" can be understood as singular or plural, especially in the sense of "at least one" or "one or more", as long as this is not explicitly excluded, such as by expressing "exactly one".

[0070] Furthermore, unless explicitly excluded, numerical specifications may include either the specified number or the usual tolerance range.

[0071] Appendix Label Table

[0072] 1. Refrigerator

[0073] 2 doors

[0074] 3 Cooling Chamber

[0075] 4 partitions

[0076] 5. Camera / Gyroscope Module

[0077] 6. Camera Module

[0078] 7 System Host

[0079] The first variant of the 7a system host

[0080] The second variant of the 7b system host

[0081] 8 FPD-Link III-Connection

[0082] 8' GMSL connection

[0083] 9. Control unit for controlling the refrigeration circuit

[0084] 10 Camera Sensors

[0085] 11 Gyroscope Sensor

[0086] 12. Additional sensor modules

[0087] 13 Serializer

[0088] 14 Deserializer

[0089] 15 Deserializer Components

[0090] 16 coaxial cables

[0091] 17 Data processing device

[0092] 18 MIPI Switch

[0093] 19 Cable Chain

[0094] 20 Hinges

[0095] 21 Inner side

[0096] 22 Proximity Sensor

[0097] 23. Sensing elements.

Claims

1. A household appliance (1) having at least one sensor module (5, 6, 12) and a control unit (9), the sensor module and the control unit being connected to each other via a cable group (16) including at least one cable for powering the sensor module (5, 6, 12) and for transmitting data, wherein the at least one sensor module (5, 6, 12) includes a camera sensor (10) and at least one gyroscope sensor (11), wherein, The at least one sensor module (5, 6, 12), including a camera sensor (10) and at least one gyroscope sensor (11), is connected to the control unit (9) via a corresponding FPD-Link III or GMSL compliant connection (8), the FPD-Link III or GMSL compliant connection including a serializer (13) configured for the sensor module (5, 6, 12), a deserializer (14) configured for the control unit (9), and a corresponding cable group (16) connecting the serializer (13) and the deserializer (14), wherein the at least one gyroscope sensor (11) is used to detect the movement of the door (4) of the household appliance (1) and can switch the serializer (13) from an inactive state to an active state based on the detection result, wherein in the active state the control unit (9) can communicate with the camera sensor (10) via the FPD-Link III or GMSL compliant connection (8).

2. The household appliance (1) according to claim 1, wherein, The cable group (16) includes a single coaxial cable.

3. The household appliance (1) according to claim 1, wherein, The cable group includes twisted-pair cables and at least one additional cable to power the sensor modules (5, 6, 12).

4. The household appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The serializer (13) of the connection (8) conforming to FPD-Link III or GMSL is integrated into the corresponding sensor module (5, 6, 12), and the deserializer (14) is integrated into the control unit (9).

5. The household appliance (1) according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein, Via the FPD-Link III or GMSL compliant connection - It can transmit sensor data from sensor modules (5, 6, 12) to control unit (9). - It can transmit additional data from the control unit (9) to the sensor modules (5, 6, 12), and - Capable of supplying power to sensor modules (5, 6, 12).

6. The household appliance (1) according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein, The data processing device (17) of the control unit (9) has an interface with multiple connectors for corresponding sensor modules (5, 6, 12), which are connected to a switch (18) and the switch (18) is connected to multiple sets of deserializers (14), wherein the switch (18) is designed to switch alternately between sets of deserializers (14).

7. The household appliance (1) according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein, The data processing device (17) of the control unit (9) and the sensor modules (5, 6, 12) each have MIPI interfaces, which are connected to each other via corresponding connections (8) conforming to FPD-Link III or GMSL.

8. The household appliance (1) according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein, At least one sensor module (5, 6, 12) is a camera module (5, 6, 12) that includes a camera sensor (10).

9. The household appliance (1) according to claim 8, wherein, At least one camera module (5, 6, 12) additionally includes at least one gyroscope sensor (11).

10. The household appliance (1) according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein, The household appliance (1) is a refrigeration device having at least one cooling chamber (3) and is provided with at least one sensor module (5, 6, 12) to monitor at least one cooling chamber (3).

11. A method for operating a home appliance (1), the home appliance having at least one sensor module (5, 6, 12) and a control unit (9), the sensor module and the control unit being connected to each other via a cable group (16) including at least one cable for supplying power to the sensor module (5, 6, 12) and for transmitting data, wherein, The at least one sensor module (5, 6, 12) is connected to the control unit (9) via a corresponding connection (8) compliant with FPD-Link III or GMSL, wherein the at least one sensor module (5, 6, 12) includes a camera sensor (10) and at least one gyroscope sensor (11), wherein, in the method: - Sensor data generated by a camera sensor (10) and at least one gyroscope sensor (11) from at least one sensor module (5, 6, 12) is converted into serial data compliant with FPD-Link III or GMSL by means of a serializer (13) of an FPD-Link III or GMSL connection (8). - The serial data is transmitted to the deserializer (14) via the cable group (16). -Reverse decoding is performed using the deserializer (14), and - Translate the sensor data to the control unit (9). The at least one gyroscope sensor (11) is used to detect the movement of the door (4) of the household appliance (1) and can switch the serializer (13) from an inactive state to an active state based on the detection result. In the active state, the control unit (9) can communicate with the camera sensor (10) through a connection (8) conforming to FPD-Link III or GMSL.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein, The sensor data exists as MIPI-compliant data.

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