Household appliance and control method thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of household appliances, particularly provides a household appliance and a control method thereof, and aims to solve the problem that the actual running state of an existing embedded household appliance cannot be visually displayed. Therefore, the invention provides a control method for controlling the household electrical appliance, the household electrical appliance can perform projection, and the control method comprises the following steps: determining whether a control interface pops up or not according to the action of a user in a projection area so as to control the household electrical appliance. The control interface is projected on the ground, the control interface can be visually displayed, the household electrical appliance can be controlled, a user does not need to squat or bend down to control the household electrical appliance, and operation of the user is facilitated. And moreover, the control interface can be displayed only after control, so that some misoperation can be avoided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of household appliances, and specifically provides a household appliance and a control method thereof. Background Art

[0002] With the development of economy and technology, there are more and more types of household appliances, and as the pace of life becomes faster, there are more and more household appliances in the home. For the beauty of the interior, many household appliances are made into embedded ones; for example, a cabinet is made, and the refrigerator is embedded in the cabinet; the dishwasher and steam oven are placed in the cabinet; the washing machine is placed in the cabinet on the balcony. This kind of embedded household appliances are not protruding outside, which can better maintain the beauty of the home.

[0003] Household appliances are made to be embedded in furniture. The interface display of household appliances can only be seen when the machine door is opened, and the actual operating status of the machine cannot be intuitively displayed.

[0004] Therefore, the relevant field is in urgent need of a household appliance and a control method thereof to solve the above-mentioned technical problems. Summary of the invention

[0005] The present invention aims to solve the above technical problem, that is, to solve the problem that the actual operating status of existing embedded household appliances cannot be intuitively displayed.

[0006] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a control method for controlling a household appliance, wherein the household appliance is capable of projection, and the control method comprises the following steps:

[0007] Determine whether to pop up a control interface according to the user's actions in the projection area to control the home appliance.

[0008] In a specific implementation of the above-mentioned control method for controlling household appliances, “determining whether to pop up the control interface according to the user's action in the projection area” specifically includes the following steps:

[0009] When the user stays in the projection area for more than a first preset time, continuously touches the projection area for no less than a first preset number of times, writes an opening instruction in the projection area, or writes an opening symbol in the projection area, the control interface pops up.

[0010] In a specific implementation of the above-mentioned control method for controlling household appliances, the household appliance has a child lock function, and the control method further includes the following steps:

[0011] After the child lock function is turned on, the control interface cannot pop up.

[0012] In a specific implementation of the above-mentioned control method for controlling household appliances, the control method further includes the following steps:

[0013] When it is detected that there are children and / or pets in the projection area, the control interface cannot pop up.

[0014] In a specific implementation of the above-mentioned control method for controlling household appliances, “determining whether to pop up the control interface according to the user's action in the projection area” specifically includes the following steps:

[0015] When the user continuously touches the projection area for no less than a first preset number of times, writes an opening instruction in the projection area, or writes an opening symbol in the projection area, the control interface pops up.

[0016] In a specific implementation of the above-mentioned control method for controlling household appliances, the control method further includes the following steps:

[0017] When it is detected that the user stays in the projection area for more than a second preset time, the control interface cannot pop up.

[0018] In a specific implementation of the above-mentioned control method for controlling household appliances, after the control interface pops up, if the user does not perform any operation within a fifth preset time period, the control interface switches to the standby interface.

[0019] In a specific implementation of the above-mentioned control method for controlling household appliances, after the control interface pops up and after the operation on the control interface is completed, it switches to the standby interface or the parameter display interface.

[0020] In a second aspect, the present invention provides a home appliance capable of performing projection, the home appliance comprising a control module, and the control module is configured to be able to execute the control method of the home appliance as described above.

[0021] In a specific embodiment of the above-mentioned household appliance, the household appliance is an embedded washing machine, an embedded clothes dryer, an embedded care machine, an embedded dishwasher, an embedded steam oven, an embedded oven, an embedded refrigerator or an embedded microwave oven.

[0022] In the case of adopting the above technical solution, the household appliance of the present invention can be projected on the ground, and the control method of the household appliance includes the following steps: determining whether to pop up a control interface according to the user's action in the projection area to control the household appliance. Projecting the control interface on the ground can intuitively display the control interface and can control the household appliance. The user does not need to squat or bend down to control the household appliance, which is convenient for the user to operate. Moreover, the control interface can be displayed only after the operation, which can avoid some misoperations.

[0023] The child lock function can prevent children or pets from operating the appliance by mistake, causing unnecessary safety hazards or causing the appliance to operate incorrectly. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0025] Figure 1 is a flow chart of the control method provided by Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 2 It is a flow chart of the control method provided in the third embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] The preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that these embodiments are only used to explain the technical principles of the present invention and are not intended to limit the protection scope of the present invention.

[0028] It should be noted that in the description of the present invention, the terms "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "inner", "outer" and the like indicating directions or positional relationships are based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the drawings, which are only for the convenience of description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the present invention. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0029] In addition, it should be noted that in the description of the present invention, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installation", "setting", and "connection" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a direct connection, an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or the internal connection of two components. For those skilled in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0030] In order to ensure the beauty of the home, household appliances are built into the furniture. The interface display of household appliances can only be seen when the machine door is opened, and the actual operating status of the machine cannot be displayed intuitively.

[0031] In order to solve the problem that embedded household appliances are inconvenient to control and the control interface cannot be displayed intuitively.

[0032] The present embodiment discloses a household appliance, which can perform projection, specifically, can perform projection on the ground and form a projection area. Of course, projection can also be performed on a countertop or desktop, and a projection area can be formed. The household appliance includes a control module, and the control module is configured to be able to control the household appliance. The control module is specifically arranged in the controller of the household appliance and integrated on the control panel. The household appliance is an embedded washing machine, an embedded clothes dryer, an embedded nursing machine, an embedded dishwasher, an embedded steam oven, an embedded oven, an embedded refrigerator or an embedded microwave oven.

[0033] The control method of the household appliance comprises the following steps:

[0034] Determine whether to pop up a control interface according to the user's actions in the projection area to control the home appliance.

[0035] Specifically, the household appliance is provided with a projection component, which can be used for projection on the ground, specifically, a control interface and a standby interface. Under normal conditions, the standby interface is projected, and the control interface is projected only when a pop-up command of the control interface is received. Specifically, there is a projection area on the ground, wherein the standby interface and the control interface are both located in the projection area. The projection component is specifically arranged at the top of the front side of the household appliance, so that the projection component can be better projected on the ground. The projection component not only projects light on the ground, but also projects the content of the standby interface and the control interface. After operating the control interface, the control content is also displayed. Among them, the projection component can adopt a combination structure of an optical machine and a lens group. The light emitted by the optical machine is projected to the projection area on the ground through a series of lenses and plane mirrors of the lens group to form a standby interface and a control interface.

[0036] Regarding the projection component, it should be noted that although in this embodiment, it includes an optical machine and a lens, this is not a limitation of the present invention. Without departing from the principle of the present invention, in other embodiments, those skilled in the art may choose any structure in the prior art for the projection component, as long as it can project the standby interface and the control interface onto the ground for users to view and operate; specifically, it may be a projection module of a projector. This does not deviate from the basic principle of the present invention, and therefore falls within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0037] The household appliance comprises a body sensing and recognition component, which is specifically arranged on the front side of the body and located at the top, so that it can recognize body movements in the projection area and perform program control on the embedded household appliance according to the body movements.

[0038] Preferably, the projection component is arranged above the body sensing recognition component. Of course, this is only a preferred implementation method for facilitating the projection component to project the standby interface and the control interface onto the projection area on the ground. In practical applications, the projection component can also be arranged at a position that is highly consistent with the body sensing recognition component. Those skilled in the art can flexibly set the relative positions of the projection component and the body sensing recognition component in practical applications. As long as the standby interface and the control interface can be projected to the ground through the projection component, and the body sensing recognition component can recognize the user's body movement information, such a change in the relative position between the projection component and the body sensing recognition component does not deviate from the technical solution of the present invention and should be limited within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0039] Preferably, the limb sensing recognition component includes a control element and a camera element and an infrared sensing element arranged on the front panel of the household appliance. The camera element and the infrared sensing element communicate with the control element. The camera element can collect image information of the user's limbs, and the infrared sensing element can collect position information of the user's limbs. The control element can analyze and process based on the image information and position information. Among them, the control element can be a component integrated in the control system of the embedded household appliance, or the control system of the embedded household appliance itself, or a component that is connected to the control system of the embedded household appliance. Those skilled in the art can flexibly set the setting position and specific structure of the control element in actual applications, as long as the control element can receive image information and position information and analyze and process based on the image information and position information.

[0040] Among them, the infrared sensing element can be a combination of an infrared laser generator and an infrared sensor, the camera element can be an infrared camera, and the infrared laser generator can project an infrared sensing area of ​​a certain height onto the projection area on the ground. The target area generated by the infrared sensing area completely covers the projection area, or accommodates the projection area therein, so that the user can be sensed by the infrared sensor when operating at any position of the standby interface or the control interface. The height of the infrared sensing area can be 3mm, that is, the distance between the infrared sensing area and the projection area is 3mm, so that the user's limbs will be sensed only when they are relatively close to the projection area, avoiding misoperation.

[0041] Of course, the height of the above-mentioned mid-infrared sensing area of ​​3mm is only exemplary, and can also be other heights. Those skilled in the art can flexibly set the height of the infrared sensing area in practical applications. Such changes in height do not deviate from the technical solution of the present invention and should be limited within the scope of protection of the present invention. Of course, the above-mentioned body sensing and recognition component can also adopt other structures, as long as the body sensing and recognition component can recognize the user's body information to operate the household appliance.

[0042] The control interface includes parameter information and virtual buttons, among which the virtual buttons include program selection buttons, switch buttons, start and pause buttons, and reservation buttons, etc.

[0043] If the built-in household appliance is a built-in dishwasher, the automatically popped-up control interface includes parameter information for selecting the program of the dishwasher and corresponding program selection buttons; it also includes a switch button, a reservation button and reservation parameter information and a start / pause button. It should be noted that, although the above parameters and button combinations are included in this embodiment, this is not a limitation of the present invention. Without departing from the principle of the present invention, in other embodiments, those skilled in the art may also select other button and parameter combinations.

[0044] If the embedded household appliance is an embedded washing machine, the control interface that pops up automatically includes parameter information for selecting the program of the washing machine, and corresponding program selection buttons; it also includes a switch button, a reservation button and reservation parameter information, a start and pause button, a temperature button and temperature parameter information, a time button and parameter information, a washing program button, a rinsing program button, and a dehydration program button, etc. It should be noted that regarding the control interface of the washing machine, although the above-mentioned parameters and button combinations are included in this embodiment, this is not a limitation of the present invention. Without departing from the principle of the present invention, in other embodiments, those skilled in the art may also select other combinations of buttons and parameters.

[0045] The following will describe the control method of the household appliance in detail with several embodiments:

[0046] Embodiment 1

[0047] The control method of the household appliance comprises the following steps:

[0048] Determine whether to pop up a control interface according to the user's actions in the projection area to control the home appliance.

[0049] like Figure 1 As shown in the figure, “determining whether to pop up the control interface according to the user's action in the projection area” specifically includes the following steps:

[0050] When the user touches the projection area continuously for no less than a first preset number of times or the user stays in the projection area for more than a first preset time, the control interface pops up.

[0051] Preferably, in the present embodiment, if the user touches the projection area twice in a row (in other embodiments, the number of touches may be three or four times, etc.) or stays in the projection area for more than a first preset time (wherein, in the present embodiment, the first preset time is preferably 8s, and in other embodiments, the first preset time may also be 10s or 12s, etc.), the control interface will pop up automatically.

[0052] "Determining whether to pop up the control interface according to the user's action in the projection area" specifically includes the following steps:

[0053] When the user writes an opening instruction or an opening symbol in the projection area, the control interface pops up.

[0054] Preferably, the opening instruction may be specifically "pop-up", "switch", etc., or other text instructions; the opening symbol may be specifically "K", "T", etc., or other shapes of symbols. The camera element can collect image information of the user's limbs, that is, collect limb movement information, and identify whether it is an opening instruction or an opening symbol. If it is an opening instruction or an opening symbol, the control interface pops up.

[0055] After the control interface pops up, the user can operate the buttons on the control interface according to the parameter information to make the home appliance operate according to the user's requirements.

[0056] In addition, after the control interface pops up automatically, if the user does not press any key within the fifth preset time (in this embodiment, the fifth preset time is preferably 8s, and in other embodiments, the fifth preset time may also be 10s or 12s, etc.), the control interface will automatically exit and switch to the standby interface. The user's lack of operation may be caused by the user's accidental touch causing the control interface to pop up, or the user may need to leave the scene temporarily and no longer need to operate the control interface, and in fact no operation is performed; switching to the standby interface can prevent pets or children from operating by mistake.

[0057] Furthermore, after the user performs a series of operations, but does not start the device, that is, although a series of operations are performed, the household appliance does not actually operate according to the operations; if after performing this series of operations, and within the sixth preset time (wherein, the sixth preset time in this embodiment is preferably 5s, and in other embodiments the sixth preset time may also be 8s or 10s, etc.), the user does not start the device, that is, does not operate the start button, then it switches to the standby interface.

[0058] After the user performs a series of operations and starts the household appliance, that is, after operating the start button, the control interface switches to the parameter display interface, and automatically displays the operating parameter information (specifically, it can display the currently running program, running time, remaining time and temperature, etc.).

[0059] Wherein, the household appliance has a child lock function, and the control method of the household appliance further comprises the following steps:

[0060] After the child lock function is turned on, the control interface cannot pop up. That is, the priority of the child lock function is higher than that of other functions. Specifically, a child lock button is projected in the projection area. The child lock function can only be turned off by touching the child lock button three times in a row. The purpose is to make the closing method of the child lock button more complicated so that children cannot easily turn off the child lock function, thereby avoiding misoperation. At the same time, it can also avoid misoperation caused by family pets staying in the projection area for a long time.

[0061] Regarding the closing method of the child lock function, it should be noted that although the present embodiment adopts the method of closing by touching three times in succession, this is not a limitation of the present invention. Without departing from the principle of the present invention, technical personnel in this field may also choose to set the method of closing the child lock to touch twice in succession in other embodiments, and the duration of the first or second touch is not less than the third preset duration, wherein the third preset duration is preferably 8s, 10s or 15s, etc., which do not deviate from the basic principle of the present invention and therefore fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0062] It should be noted about the child lock function that although there is a child lock button in the projection area in the present embodiment, this is not a limitation of the present invention. Without departing from the principles of the present invention, in other embodiments, technical personnel in this field may also choose to set the child lock button on the body, specifically a mechanical button or a touch button. The child lock function can be turned off by pressing the child lock button on the body. This does not deviate from the basic principles of the present invention and therefore falls within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0063] Embodiment 2

[0064] The control method of the household appliance comprises the following steps:

[0065] Determine whether to pop up a control interface according to the user's actions in the projection area to control the home appliance.

[0066] like Figure 1 As shown in the figure, “determining whether to pop up the control interface according to the user's action in the projection area” specifically includes the following steps:

[0067] If the user touches the projection area continuously for no less than a first preset number of times or the user stays in the projection area for more than a first preset time, the control interface pops up.

[0068] Preferably, in the present embodiment, if the user touches the projection area twice in a row (in other embodiments, the number of touches may be three or four times, etc.) or stays in the projection area for more than a first preset time (wherein, in the present embodiment, the first preset time is preferably 8s, and in other embodiments, the first preset time may also be 10s or 12s, etc.), the control interface will pop up automatically.

[0069] "Determining whether to pop up the control interface according to the user's action in the projection area" specifically includes the following steps:

[0070] When the user writes an opening instruction or an opening symbol in the projection area, the control interface pops up.

[0071] Preferably, the opening instruction may be specifically "pop-up", "switch", etc., or other text instructions; the opening symbol may be specifically "K", "T", etc., or other shapes of symbols. The camera element can collect image information of the user's limbs, that is, collect limb movement information, and identify whether it is an opening instruction or an opening symbol. If it is an opening instruction or an opening symbol, the control interface pops up.

[0072] After the control interface pops up, the user can operate the buttons on the control interface according to the parameter information to make the home appliance operate according to the user's requirements.

[0073] In addition, after the control interface pops up automatically, if the user does not press any button within the fifth preset time, the control interface will automatically exit and switch to the standby interface. The user's inaction may be caused by the user accidentally touching the control interface, or the user may need to leave the scene temporarily and no longer need to operate the control interface, and in fact no operation is performed; switching to the standby interface can prevent pets or children from operating it accidentally.

[0074] Furthermore, after the user performs a series of operations, but does not start the appliance, that is, although a series of operations are performed, the household appliance does not actually operate according to the operations; if after performing this series of operations, and the user does not start the appliance within the sixth preset time period, that is, the start button is not operated, it will switch to the standby interface.

[0075] After the user performs a series of operations and starts the household appliance, that is, after operating the start button, the control interface switches to the parameter display interface, and automatically displays the operating parameter information (specifically, it can display the currently running program, running time, remaining time and temperature, etc.).

[0076] The control method of the household appliance further comprises the following steps:

[0077] When it is detected that there are children and / or pets in the projection area, the control interface cannot pop up. Specifically, the camera element of the body sensing recognition component can capture the scene in the projection area in real time and judge the content of the scene. The specific judgment method is to identify the object by taking a picture. Taking a picture to identify the object is specifically a prior art, and its specific algorithm is not described in detail in this embodiment. When there are children and / or pets in the scene captured in the projection area, the control interface cannot pop up. In order to avoid toy dolls or toy animals appearing in the projection area, causing unnecessary misjudgment; a life detector can be provided on the household appliance, which can detect whether there is life in the projection area; when there are children and / or pets in the scene captured in the projection area, but no vital signs are detected in the projection area, the control interface can be automatically popped up.

[0078] Embodiment 3

[0079] The control method of the household appliance comprises the following steps:

[0080] Determine whether to pop up a control interface according to the user's actions in the projection area to control the home appliance.

[0081] like Figure 2 As shown in the figure, “determining whether to pop up the control interface according to the user's action in the projection area” specifically includes the following steps:

[0082] If the user touches the projection area continuously for no less than a first preset number of times, the control interface pops up.

[0083] In this embodiment, preferably, the user touches the projection area twice continuously, and the control interface pops up automatically. Of course, in other embodiments, the user can also touch the projection area three or four times continuously to automatically pop up the control interface.

[0084] "Determining whether to pop up the control interface according to the user's action in the projection area" specifically includes the following steps:

[0085] When the user writes an opening instruction or an opening symbol in the projection area, the control interface pops up.

[0086] Preferably, the opening instruction may be specifically "pop-up", "switch", etc., or other text instructions; the opening symbol may be specifically "K", "T", etc., or other shapes of symbols. The camera element can collect image information of the user's limbs, that is, collect limb movement information, and identify whether it is an opening instruction or an opening symbol. If it is an opening instruction or an opening symbol, the control interface pops up.

[0087] After the control interface pops up, the user can operate the buttons on the control interface according to the parameter information to make the home appliance operate according to the user's requirements.

[0088] In addition, after the control interface pops up automatically, if the user does not press any button within the fifth preset time, the control interface will automatically exit and switch to the standby interface. The user's inaction may be caused by the user accidentally touching the control interface, or the user may need to leave the scene temporarily and no longer need to operate the control interface, and in fact no operation is performed; switching to the standby interface can prevent pets or children from operating it accidentally.

[0089] Furthermore, after the user performs a series of operations, but does not start the appliance, that is, although a series of operations are performed, the household appliance does not actually operate according to the operations; if after performing this series of operations, and the user does not start the appliance within the sixth preset time period, that is, the start button is not operated, it will switch to the standby interface.

[0090] After the user performs a series of operations and starts the household appliance, that is, after operating the start button, the control interface switches to the parameter display interface, and automatically displays the operating parameter information (specifically, it can display the currently running program, running time, remaining time and temperature, etc.).

[0091] The control method of the household appliance further comprises the following steps:

[0092] When the user stays in the projection area for more than a second preset time, the control interface cannot pop up.

[0093] When the body sensing recognition component captures the user's body staying for a long time and exceeding the second preset time, but not in a continuous touch mode; if the household appliance is a dishwasher, the user may just be cooking or cleaning in the kitchen and not operating the dishwasher to wash dishes. If the household appliance is a washing machine, the user may just be doing other things on the balcony or in the bathroom and not operating the washing machine to wash.

[0094] So far, the technical solutions of the present invention have been described in conjunction with the preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. However, it is easy for those skilled in the art to understand that the protection scope of the present invention is obviously not limited to these specific embodiments. Without departing from the principle of the present invention, those skilled in the art can make equivalent changes or substitutions to the relevant technical features, and the technical solutions after these changes or substitutions will fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A control method for controlling household appliances, characterized in that: The household appliance is capable of projection, and the control method comprises the following steps: Determine whether to pop up a control interface according to the user's actions in the projection area to control the home appliance.

2. The control method according to claim 1, characterized in that: “Determining whether to pop up the control interface based on the user's actions in the projection area” specifically includes the following steps: When the user stays in the projection area for more than a first preset time, continuously touches the projection area for no less than a first preset number of times, writes an opening instruction in the projection area, or writes an opening symbol in the projection area, the control interface pops up.

3. The control method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The household appliance has a child lock function, and the control method further comprises the following steps: After the child lock function is turned on, the control interface cannot pop up.

4. The control method according to claim 2, characterized in that: The control method further comprises the following steps: When it is detected that there are children and / or pets in the projection area, the control interface cannot pop up.

5. The control method according to claim 1, characterized in that: “Determining whether to pop up the control interface based on the user's actions in the projection area” specifically includes the following steps: When the user continuously touches the projection area for no less than a first preset number of times, writes an opening instruction in the projection area, or writes an opening symbol in the projection area, the control interface pops up.

6. The control method according to claim 5, characterized in that: The control method further comprises the following steps: When it is detected that the user stays in the projection area for more than a second preset time, the control interface cannot pop up.

7. The control method according to claim 1, characterized in that: After the control interface pops up, if the user does not perform any operation within a fifth preset time period, the control interface switches to the standby interface.

8. The control method according to claim 1, characterized in that: After the control interface pops up and the operation on the control interface is completed, it switches to the standby interface or the parameter display interface.

9. A household appliance, characterized in that: It is capable of projection, and the household appliance comprises a control module, and the control module is configured to execute the control method of the household appliance according to any one of claims 1-8.

10. The household appliance according to claim 9, characterized in that: The household appliance is a built-in washing machine, a built-in clothes dryer, a built-in nursing machine, a built-in dishwasher, a built-in steam oven, a built-in oven, a built-in refrigerator or a built-in microwave oven.

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