Controlling household appliance

Abstract

And controlling the household appliances. A household appliance (105, 110) comprises: a control unit (125) for controlling a function of the household appliance (105, 110) depending on a user setting; and a wireless interface (130) for communicating with a mobile device (115). The control unit (125) is adapted to exchange user setting data with the mobile device (115).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to controlling household appliances. More particularly, the present invention relates to controlling household appliances based on user preferences. Background Art

[0002] A coffee machine can be used to make a wide range of different variants of specialty coffee. A user can select his favorite coffee recipe, and the coffee machine will control the process of coffee making according to the user's preferences. In modern coffee machines, many parameters may be controllable by the user. The user may spend some time configuring the coffee machine so that it makes coffee according to his or her preferences. The person may find herself in different places with the same type of coffee machine, but without customized user configuration. The person may have difficulty reproducing her favorite settings by browsing the coffee machine's preference menu. The same problem may occur at different home appliances such as programmable cookers or microwave ovens. Summary of the invention

[0003] Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved technique for controlling a household appliance according to user settings. The present invention solves the given object by the subject matter of the attached independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are given in the dependent claims.

[0004] According to a first aspect of the invention, a household appliance comprises: a control unit for controlling functions of the household appliance depending on user settings; and a wireless interface for communicating with a mobile device. The control unit is adapted to exchange user setting data with the mobile device.

[0005] By the possibility of exchanging user setting data with a mobile device, it is possible to enable a user to carry settings from one household appliance to another. The user setting data may consume very little space on the mobile device, and the user may carry the mobile device with him or her most of the time. Thus, wherever the user may go, he or she can control the household appliance according to his or her preferred user settings.

[0006] Preferably, the wireless interface comprises an NFC interface. NFC stands for Near Field Communication and typically operates within a distance of 4 cm or less. With a limited communication range, there is inherent security against malicious use of the household appliance. NFC interfaces have become common on mobile devices such as smart phones, smart watches or smart bracelets.

[0007] Communication between home appliances and mobile devices can be accomplished through a standard called NDEF (NFC Data Exchange Format), which is particularly suitable for text-based data, such as user settings data for home appliances. In addition, NDEF can provide a high level of transmission security through error checking and error correction. Another advantage of NDEF is that it defines standardized formats for common data types. One format involves text that can be used to control appliances.

[0008] Wireless connections can also be implemented in different ways, such as via WiFi or Bluetooth, especially for exchanging credentials or access tokens, and other connections can also have defined data types suitable for the purposes described herein. Thus, for appliance commissioning or communication switching in a home network, a high degree of interoperability with smartphone OS out of the box can be achieved.

[0009] The NFC interface may be capable of only passive operation. In passive mode, the power used for processing or communication is obtained from the AC field controlled by the active NFC interface. Since mobile devices usually feature an active NFC interface, using only a passive NFC interface on the appliance side may be sufficient for interoperation. This can help keep the production costs of household appliances low.

[0010] According to another embodiment of the invention, the wireless interface is a first wireless interface and a second wireless interface is also provided. In this case, the control unit is adapted to establish a data link on the second wireless interface by means of communication on the first wireless interface.

[0011] The second wireless interface may, for example, include Bluetooth (BT), Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) or Wi-Fi / WLAN. The security features of the first wireless interface may be used to exchange tokens or authentication data. The communication on the second interface may be controlled by the security information. The second interface may be adapted to provide a higher data rate, higher transport security, a longer range or support the transmission of larger data blocks. The household appliance may already include a second wireless interface for communicating with a local or external server or service. User settings data may also be exchanged or synchronized with such a service. Mobile devices may also be characterized by a compatible second wireless interface. External services may also be used for authentication purposes.

[0012] Preferably, the control unit is adapted to transmit the user setting data to the mobile device. Before or after the data link over the wireless interface has been established, the user may be prompted to select the user setting data to be transmitted. On the mobile device, the received user setting data may be stored under a name that may be provided by the user.

[0013] The control unit may be adapted to accept user setting data from the mobile device and to control the function in dependence on the accepted user setting data.For this process, the user may be invited to identify the user setting data that he or she wishes to transfer to the household appliance.

[0014] Preferably, the household appliance treats the received user setting data as only temporary data. After the function has been successfully carried out, the received user setting data can be deleted. However, it is also possible to store the transmitted data in a local data storage for later use. This makes it possible for users to exchange user setting data with each other.

[0015] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the wireless interface comprises a loop antenna implemented by a conductive strip on a transparent film; the film is arranged at or near the outer surface of the appliance. The loop antenna may be planar and pressed against the outer surface of the household appliance. Therefore, it may be difficult to be visible to the user. The transparent film can help cover the sensitive structure of the loop antenna. By arranging it on the outside of the household appliance, the maximum communication distance with the mobile device can be easily observed.

[0016] The transparent film may also include a conductive patch, wherein the control unit is adapted to determine the touch of the film at the conductive patch based on the capacitance change of the patch. The touch may come from a finger or another body part of the user in particular. Therefore, the film may also serve as an input device to a household appliance. The operation of the household appliance and in particular the compilation of user setting data may be completed by the input device. The transparent film with a conductive structure may be arranged in front of or behind the display unit. The display unit may form a touch screen together with the conductive patch. The loop of the antenna may extend around the visible area of ​​the display. It is particularly preferred that the control unit is mounted at the rear of the transparent film or the display. The control unit may form an integrated unit together with the input device and the output device. The unit may be highly integrated and may be manufactured cost-effectively. The unit may consume only a small amount of space and may be adapted to be used at a variety of different household appliances.

[0017] According to another preferred embodiment, the control unit is adapted to provide identification information of the household appliance via a wireless interface. The control unit can act as a wireless tag, and information such as required for maintenance can be provided in electronic form. This can help maintain and use the household appliance within the product life of the household appliance.

[0018] The wireless interface may include a planar antenna, in particular a loop antenna, which is covered by a patch with printed identification information of the household appliance. The user may only see the patch with printed information, but the same information or related information may also be read electronically via the wireless interface attached to the patch.

[0019] It is particularly preferred that the household appliance comprises a kitchen machine such as a stove, a range hood, an oven or a steam cooker. In such machines, special care must be taken that sticky or aggressive substances are kept outside the household appliance and do not interfere with the user interface. The present invention can help design the user interface so that this objective can be met.

[0020] According to another aspect of the present invention, a system includes a first household appliance and a second household appliance. The first household appliance as described herein is adapted to transmit user setting data to a mobile device. The second household appliance as described herein is adapted to receive user setting data from the mobile device and control a function depending on the received user setting data.

[0021] The system may also include a mobile device. The mobile device may include a smart phone in particular. The smart phone may run an application that allows the user to organize and / or edit user setting data stored on the smart phone. In a further embodiment, a manual for configuring user setting data to control a given household appliance may be provided on the smart phone.

[0022] A first method for controlling a first home appliance comprises the steps of establishing a wireless connection between the first home appliance and a mobile device; determining user setting data for controlling a function of the home appliance; and transmitting the user setting data to the mobile device.

[0023] A second method for controlling a second home appliance includes the steps of establishing a wireless connection between the second home appliance and a mobile device; accepting user setting data from the mobile device; and controlling a function of the home appliance depending on the accepted user setting data.

[0024] A method can be implemented with one or two household appliances as described herein. The method can be implemented as a computer program product having a program code component and can be stored on a computer readable medium. The method can be adapted to be implemented in whole or in part by a processing component. The processing component can be electronic in nature, including a microcomputer or microcontroller, an ASIC or similar device. The features or advantages of the method can be applicable to corresponding devices or systems, and vice versa. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The present invention will now be discussed in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0026] Figure 1 A system with two exemplary household appliances is shown;

[0027] Figure 2 A flow chart showing two interconnection methods;

[0028] Figure 3 An exemplary user interface for a household appliance is shown;

[0029] Figure 4 An exemplary control unit for a household appliance is shown; and

[0030] Figure 5 A logo patch for covering a planar antenna of a control unit of a household appliance is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] Figure 1 A system 100 is shown with two exemplary home appliances. A first home appliance 105 is shown at the top, and a second home appliance 110 is near the bottom of the figure. The system 100 may include a mobile device 115, and may also have external components 120.

[0032] The household appliances 105, 110 may be of the same type and similarly configured. The household appliances 105, 110 include a control unit 125 and a first wireless interface 130. Optionally, there may be a second wireless interface 135. The input / output unit 140 may provide a way for a user to interact with the control unit 125. The control unit 125 is adapted to control the functions of the first or second household appliance 105, 110. The household appliances 105, 110 may include a functional unit 145, which may be controlled by the control unit 125 in the process. In the exemplary embodiment currently shown, the household appliances 105, 110 include an integrated coffee machine, and the functional unit 145 may include a brewing group, a coffee grinder or a milk frother.

[0033] The mobile device 115 is usually associated with a predetermined person. The mobile device 115 may include a smart phone, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, or a wearable computer, such as a smart watch or a smart bracelet. The mobile device 115 is adapted to communicate with the household appliances 105, 110 via the first or second wireless interface 130, 135. The mobile device 115 may also have a storage unit and a user interface. The processing unit of the mobile device 115 may execute an application that helps communicate with one of the household appliances 105, 110, transmit user setting data, organize, edit and / or store the data.

[0034] The first wireless interface 130 of the household appliance 105, 110 is preferably used for direct operation over a short communication distance. It is particularly preferred that the first wireless interface 130 includes an NFC interface. The optional second wireless interface 135 can support different communication technologies that extend over a greater distance and can support higher frequency bands. The second wireless interface 135 can especially cover Bluetooth, Bluetooth low energy or Wi-Fi.

[0035] In one embodiment, communication between the mobile device 115 and the home devices 105, 110 is implemented through the first wireless interface 130. In another embodiment, communication on the first wireless interface 130 is used to establish any communication on the second wireless interface 135. The home devices 105, 110 can communicate with the external component 120 through the second wireless interface 135.

[0036] The external component 120 may be arranged in the same home as one of the household appliances 105, 110, or may be arranged in a different place. In one embodiment, the external component 120 is embodied as a remote server or service, which may be accessed via a wide area network such as the Internet or a mobile phone system. The external component 120 may be adapted to store information related to the household device 105, 110 or the user associated therewith. In general, information belonging to a user or household appliance 105, 110 is not shared with users or appliances 105, 110 of different households. However, the component 120 may play a role in authentication, and for example, an authentication token or hash may be shared between the first and second household appliances 105, 110, and may be relayed via the external component 120.

[0037] The household appliances 105, 110 can be configured by the user to perform functions in a certain manner. The configuration data for controlling functions according to user preferences are referred to as user settings data in this article. It is proposed that the user settings data related to the functions of the first household appliance 105 can be wirelessly transmitted to the mobile device 115. The mobile device 115 can then be brought to the second household appliance 110, which is usually set in a different family. The user settings data can then be transmitted from the mobile device 115 to the second household appliance 110, and the functions of the second household appliance 110 can be implemented depending on the received user settings data.

[0038] The household appliances 105, 110 are preferably of the same type and equipment. If the household appliances 105, 110 are equipped differently, the functionality can be mapped to this user setting data attempting to access a non-existent component, which can also be adapted to function.

[0039] Figure 2 Flowcharts of two interconnected methods are shown. Method 200 - which may also be referred to as first method 200 - begins in step 205, where a first household appliance 105 is configured by a user to perform a predetermined function in a manner approved by the user. Note that this process may include complex and lengthy changes of parameters.

[0040] In a subsequent step 210, user setting data defining the manner in which the function is to be performed can be transferred to the mobile device 115. To this end, the mobile device 115 can be brought into close proximity with the first household appliance 105 and the data can be transferred via the first wireless interface 130. After uploading the user configuration data to the mobile device 115, in a step 215, the mobile device 115 can be brought to the second household appliance 110.

[0041] The following part of the method 200 can be considered as a continuation of the method 200 or as a separate second method 250. In step 255, the user setting data can be transmitted from the mobile device 115 to the second household appliance 110. To this end, the mobile device 115 can be brought into close proximity with the second household appliance 110 and data transmission can be performed via the first wireless interface 130. In step 260, a predetermined function of the second household appliance 110 can be implemented, controlled by the downloaded user setting data. After the function has been implemented, the previously received user configuration data can be discarded. Optionally, it can support the storage of the downloaded user setting data in the local data storage of the second household appliance 110.

[0042] Figure 3 An exemplary user interface for a household appliance 105, 110 is shown. In the upper part, a known first user interface 305 is shown, while in the lower part, a new second user interface 310 can be seen. The user interfaces 305, 310 can form part of a control unit 125. The first user interface 305 comprises a film 315, which is preferably transparent. Conductive structures are arranged on the film 315. Conductive patches 320 form electrodes for measuring capacitance. Wires 325 connect the patches 320 to an evaluation circuit.

[0043] The film 315 can be arranged above or below the display unit 330, which can be arranged on a printed circuit board 335. The display unit 330 can be characterized by an active or passive display, which can be based on, for example, LED, LCD or E-Ink technology. The second user interface 310 proposes a slight modification to the conductive structure on the transparent film 315. A planar antenna 340, preferably a loop type, can also be arranged on the film 315. The traces of the antenna 340 can extend along the outer edge of the film 315. These loops can surround the conductive patch 320. In order to electrically connect a single loop in a spiral structure, a connection 345 isolated from the wire 325 may be required. The end of the antenna 340 can be electrically connected to the control unit 125 through a wire 350.

[0044] Figure 4 An exemplary control unit 125 for a household appliance 105, 110 is shown. In the upper part, a top view is shown, while Figure 4 In the lower part of the figure, the control unit 125 can be seen from a side perspective. The two illustrations do not necessarily belong to the same embodiment.

[0045] It can be seen that the printed circuit board 335 acts as a carrier for other elements. On top of the printed circuit board 335, the display unit 330 can be arranged, and on top of the display unit 330, the transparent film 315 can be arranged. The contact portion of the antenna 340 can be connected vertically to the printed circuit board 335. As shown in the side view, the transparent film 315 can be bent around the edge of the printed circuit board 335. Therefore, the traces on the film 315 can be guided to the lower side of the printed circuit board 335 and connected there.

[0046] Figure 4 Also shown is a protective layer 405, which is preferably disposed between the transparent film 315 and the exterior of the household appliance 105, 110. The layer 405 can help keep dust, grease, or scratches away from the film 315. The layer 405 can be made of plastic or glass or any other suitable protective material. In embodiments where the display unit 330 is used, the layer 405 is preferably at least partially transparent.

[0047] Figure 5 An identification patch 505 is shown for covering the planar antenna 340 of the control unit 125 of the household appliance 105, 110. The patch 505 carries printed information that informs the name, weight, specifications or contact information of the household appliance 105, 110. The information is generally human readable and some of the given information may be explicitly required.

[0048] The patch 505 may cover the antenna 340 of the first wireless interface 130 of the control unit 125. The antenna 340 may be mounted on top of some carrier, such as the film 315, the printed circuit board 335, or the outer surface of the household appliance 105, 110. In one embodiment, a semiconductor chip 510 may be arranged near the antenna 340, and the semiconductor chip 510 is adapted to provide identification, specification or grade information of the household appliance 105, 110 via the first wireless interface 130 using the antenna 340.

[0049] Reference List (as part of this description)

[0050] 100 systems

[0051] 105 First Home Appliances

[0052] 110 Second Home Appliance

[0053] 115 Mobile devices

[0054] 120 External components

[0055] 125 control unit

[0056] 130 first wireless interface

[0057] 135 Second wireless interface

[0058] 140 Input / Output Units

[0059] 145 Functional Units

[0060] 200 First Method

[0061] 205 configuration first home appliance

[0062] 210 Transmitting user setting data to mobile device

[0063] 215 Bringing mobile devices to different second home appliances

[0064] 250 Second Method

[0065] 255 Transmit user setting data to the second household appliance

[0066] 260 Control functions of second household appliances

[0067] 305 First User Interface

[0068] 310 Second User Interface

[0069] 315 film

[0070] 320 Conductive patch

[0071] 325 wire

[0072] 330 display units

[0073] 335 Printed Circuit Board

[0074] 340 Antenna

[0075] 345 connections

[0076] 350 wire

[0077] 405 protection layer

[0078] 505 logo patch

[0079] 510 semiconductor chip

Claims

1. Household appliances (105, 110), including: - a control unit (125) for controlling the functions of the household appliance (105, 110) depending on user settings; - a wireless interface (130) for communicating with a mobile device (115); - wherein the control unit (125) is adapted to exchange user setting data with the mobile device (115).

2. The household appliance (105, 110) according to claim 1, wherein the wireless interface (130) comprises an NFC interface.

3. The household appliance (105, 110) according to claim 2, wherein the NFC interface (130) is capable of only passive operation.

4. A household appliance (105, 110) according to one of the above claims, wherein the wireless interface is a first wireless interface (130); further comprising a second wireless interface (135); wherein the control unit (125) is adapted to establish a data link on the second wireless interface (135) through communication on the first wireless interface (130).

5. The household appliance (105, 110) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (125) is adapted to transmit user setting data to the mobile device (115).

6. The household appliance (105, 110) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (125) is adapted to accept user setting data from a mobile device (115) and to control functions depending on the accepted user setting data.

7. A household appliance (105, 110) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the wireless interface (130) comprises a loop antenna implemented by a conductive strip on a transparent film (315); the film (315) being arranged at the outer surface of the appliance (105, 110).

8. A household appliance (105, 110) according to claim 7, wherein the transparent film (315) includes a conductive patch (320); wherein the control unit (125) is adapted to determine the touch of the film (315) at the conductive patch (320) based on a change in the capacitance of the patch (320).

9. The household appliance (105, 110) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (125) is adapted to provide identification information of the household appliance (105, 110) via a wireless interface (130).

10. The household appliance (105, 110) according to claim 9, wherein the wireless interface (130) comprises a planar antenna (340); wherein a patch (505) having printed identification information of the household appliance (105, 110) covers the antenna (340).

11. The household appliance (105, 110) according to one of the preceding claims; wherein the household appliance (105, 110) comprises a kitchen machine.

12. System (100) comprising a first domestic appliance (105) according to one of claims 4 to 10 and a second domestic appliance (110) according to one of claims 5 to 10.

13. The system (100) of claim 11, further comprising a mobile device (115); wherein the mobile device (115) comprises a smart phone.

14. A method (200) for controlling a first household appliance (105), wherein the method (200) comprises the following steps: - establishing (210) a wireless connection between the first household appliance (105) and the mobile device (115); - determining user setting data for controlling functions of the first household appliance (105); and - Transmitting (210) user settings data to the mobile device (115).

15. A method (250) for controlling a second household appliance (110), wherein the method (250) comprises the following steps: - establishing (255) a wireless connection between the second household appliance (110) and the mobile device (115); - receiving (255) user settings data from the mobile device (115); and - controlling (260) functions of the household appliance (105, 110) depending on the received user setting data.

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