Method for controlling the operation of a machine, operator control device for a machine and system with a machine with an operator control device

Abstract

In a method for controlling the operation of a machine (2, 9), it is provided that in an identification step (6) a unique operator control device address is acquired using a portable data processing device (4), that in a recharge request step (7) a data-transmitting connection is established from the portable data processing device (4) to a control server device (5) and a recharge request containing the operator control device address is transmitted to the control server device (5), that in a recharge verification step the recharge request is checked with the control server device (5) and a usage cycle release information is generated, that in a recharge confirmation step (8) a usage cycle release information is transmitted from the control server device (5) to the operator control device (3, 10).and that in a control step, the operator control device checks whether the usage cycle release information meets the activation requirement of the activation of the machine (2, 9) requested by the activation request.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for controlling the operation of a machine with a machine control device with which several usage cycles of a machine program can be carried out, wherein after receiving an activation request in a control step before activating a usage cycle with an operation control device it is checked whether an activation requirement for the execution of a machine program is fulfilled and wherein in an activation step an activation of a usage cycle requested with the activation request is enabled so that the machine can execute the machine program if the activation requirement is fulfilled, and in the activation step the requested activation is not enabled if the activation requirement is not fulfilled.The invention also relates to an operator control device for a machine having a machine control device with which multiple usage cycles of a machine program can be carried out, wherein the operator control device has a data transmission device for wirelessly transmitting data to a portable data processing device. The invention further relates to a system having a machine with an operator control device and with a portable data processing device, wherein the operator control device and the portable data processing device are configured such that data can be transmitted from the operator control device to the portable data processing device, and having a control server device that can be wirelessly connected to both the operator control device and the portable data processing device.

[0002] Completely different machines are known from many different areas of application, with which a single, fixed machine program or a machine program individually selected from a number of different machine programs can be carried out in numerous usage cycles. For example, coffee machines can offer various coffee beverages and process them one after the other depending on the respective activation requirements. With a washing machine, the appropriate wash program for the respective laundry can be selected from various wash programs and then run to clean the laundry. An example of an industrially used machine is a processing machine, which can be used for numerous usage cycles to repeatedly manufacture a processed product.With a 3D printer, numerous similar or different objects can be produced one after the other using a generative manufacturing process.

[0003] All of these machines are also suitable for use against payment, so that, regardless of the respective user, the activation of a usage cycle of the machine only occurs if the payment of a usage fee has been previously agreed and, if applicable, already carried out.

[0004] For example, washing machines installed in laundromats or in buildings with multiple residential units are known to have an operating control device designed as a coin-operated machine. Depending on the particular design, the coin-operated machine can activate the washing machine after receiving a predefined number or amount of coins, or it can authorize the activation of a wash program selected via a control element on the washing machine. In this case, it is considered a disadvantage that each individual use of the washing machine requires the appropriate amount of coins to be fed into the coin-operated machine. In addition, the coins accumulating in a coin container in the coin-operated machine must be removed at regular intervals, which incurs additional ongoing costs for the operation of such a washing machine.

[0005] Machines are also known in which, instead of coins, an activation code must be manually entered into the operator control device or can be transmitted to the operator control device using a portable data processing device, such as a smartphone, in order to unlock a single usage cycle or a number of usage cycles, which can then be enabled by the operator control device in response to corresponding activation requests and carried out with the machine. Such operator control devices are usually integrated into a machine control device, which results in considerable design effort. A machine must then be equipped with the corresponding operator control device during manufacture and cannot simply be used subsequently without this operator control device.Due to the often very high manufacturing costs for two different versions of a machine, equipped either with or without an operator control device, only a few machines are equipped with such an operator control device. The effort required to use a machine with such an operator control device is very high, especially for frequently changing users or in cases of frequent changes in the use of such machines, which is why using machines with operator control devices is considered inconvenient.

[0006] It is therefore considered to be an object of the invention to design a method for controlling the operation of a machine with an operating control device and a corresponding operating control device in such a way that a paid use of the machine can be carried out as simply and conveniently as possible.

[0007] This object is achieved according to the invention by a method with the method steps mentioned at the outset, in which in an identification step with a portable data processing device a unique operating control device address is detected, in a top-up request step a data transmission connection is established from the portable data processing device to a control server device and a top-up request containing the operating control device address is transmitted to the control server device, in a top-up verification step with the control server device the top-up request is checked and usage cycle release information is generated,that in a top-up confirmation step, a data transmission connection is established between the control server device and the operating control device identified via the operating control device address, and usage cycle release information is transmitted from the control server device to the operating control device, and in the control step, a processor device of the operating control device checks whether the usage cycle release information meets the activation requirement of the machine activation requested with the activation request.

[0008] It is considered an essential aspect and advantage of the invention that a user with the portable data processing device, for example with a smartphone, only has to record a unique operator control device address in the identification step and has to transmit it together with the charging request to the control server device, while the usage cycle release information is transmitted from the control server device to the operator control device without further interaction of the user and thereby the machine is released for at least one further usage cycle and can be used.

[0009] The charging check step is performed using the control server device, so that, for example, the same control server device can perform a charging check step for different machines and also for different users. No charging check step needs to be performed for the machine in question, which simplifies handling and operation of the machine for the user. The control server device can thus have a uniformly designed user interface for several different machines, allowing the user to perform a uniform activation process for completely different machines, which can significantly improve user acceptance of the machines it controls.

[0010] A payment transaction for the paid use of a machine can be handled entirely via the control server device. A user account can also be maintained there for an individual user and a pre-paid usage amount can be managed. This allows the user to request a top-up, regardless of the machine in question, to retrieve the user information stored and managed in the user account, and to conveniently complete the payment transaction.

[0011] The operator control device of the respective machine only needs to be able to check the usage cycle release information transmitted by the control device and, depending on the usage cycle release information, initiate or deny the desired activation of the machine. The design effort required for this for the operator control device is comparatively low. The operator control device may not even need to be able to check one of the various activation requirements for the machine activation requested with the activation request; instead, it only needs to check whether the usage cycle release information permits the machine activation requested with the activation request or whether it permits an activation of the machine requested by the user, regardless of a specific usage cycle requested with the activation request.

[0012] In order to simplify the transmission of a specific top-up request to the control server device initiated by a user and to make it as simple and error-proof as possible for the user, it can be provided that the operator control device has an identification storage device with a unique operator control device address stored therein, and that in the identification step, the operator control device address is automatically transmitted to the portable data processing device as soon as the distance between the portable data processing device and the operator control device is less than a predeterminable minimum distance. In this way, the operator control device address, which uniquely identifies the respective machine, is automatically transmitted to a user's portable data processing device as soon as the user approaches the respective machine sufficiently.This eliminates the possibility of inadvertent input errors by the user that cannot be attributed to the machine in question.

[0013] If the user runs a suitable software application on their portable data processing device, a user interface can be provided via the operator control device address, which was automatically transmitted to the portable data processing device, with the aid of the software application. This interface allows the user to select the relevant machine with a single keystroke or a single input and request the activation of a usage cycle. If necessary, various usage cycles that can be performed with this machine can be offered to the user for selection. In this way, the operation and activation of the machine can be significantly simplified for the user and, at the same time, made particularly reliable and fail-safe.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the inventive concept, the operator control device can have a control server contact storage device with control server contact data stored therein, and the control server contact data can be automatically transferred to the portable data processing device in the identification step. In this way, data transfer from the portable data processing device to the control server device can be designed to be reliable, fail-safe, and easy for the user to perform, even without a separate software application that would have to be installed and executed in advance on the portable data processing device.For example, the control server contact data and the operator control device address can be transmitted from the portable data processing device to the control server device identifiable via the control server contact data using standardized data transmission protocols. In parallel, a browser can be activated on the portable data processing device, which exchanges data with the control server device identified via the control server contact data and can be used to display information about the machine in question, which is assigned to the operator control device address, and about the usage cycles that can be performed with this machine, on the portable data processing device, without requiring extensive interaction and data input by the user.It may also be provided that the control server contact data is made available to the user automatically, but their use and, for example, the transmission of a top-up request to the control server device may be made dependent on interaction and approval by the user.

[0015] To reduce the risk of misuse of the machine or a user account associated with the respective user in the control server device, it can optionally be provided that the data transmission connection between the control server device and the operator control device is encrypted during the top-up confirmation step. The encryption of the data transmission between the control server device and the operator control device can be specified and implemented by hardware-based encryption devices in the operator control device and in the control server device.In this way, it is possible to prevent an unauthorized user from transmitting usage cycle release information, for example, from a portable data processing device to the operation control device, which is not generated by the control server device and transmitted to the operation control device. It is also possible to prevent an unauthorized user from misusing user information of an authorized user and generating usage cycle release information, thereby transmitting usage cycle release information to the operation control device to trigger the activation of a usage cycle of the machine in question.

[0016] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the inventive concept, it can be provided that the operation control device has a usage cycle number information storage device for storing usage cycle number information, that in the charging confirmation step, based on the usage cycle release information transmitted to the operation control device, usage cycle number information is stored or adapted in the usage cycle number information storage device, and that in the activation step, after a successful activation of an activation of a usage cycle requested with the activation request, the usage cycle number information is reduced by a usage cycle number corresponding to the activation that has taken place.With the help of the usage cycle number information storage device, for example, a single top-up request can not only request and enable a one-time activation of a usage cycle, but also enable multiple uses of the machine. In this way, a user can enable multiple activations or multiple executions of individual usage cycles with a single top-up request and a single corresponding payment transaction.

[0017] By storing the usage cycle number information in the usage cycle number information storage device, for example, after a successfully performed charging confirmation step, a usage cycle number or usage cycle number information representing a number of usage cycles enabled in the charging confirmation step can be reduced and adjusted and the machine can be available for further usage cycles as long as the usage cycle number or the corresponding usage cycle number information still allows further usage cycles.

[0018] The operator control device can have a display device for displaying the number of usage cycles or the number of usage cycle information, as well as a separate activation actuation device with which a further usage cycle can be activated if the stored number of usage cycles or the number of usage cycle information still permits a further activation of the usage cycle requested by the activation actuation device. In this way, the use of the machine can be enabled and carried out even if data transmission to a portable data processing device is not possible, for example because the data transmission device is outside the range of the operator control device or is not in a data-transmitting state.Likewise, no data transmission connection between the control server device and the operation control device is required as long as the number of usage cycles stored in the operation control device or the number of usage cycles information still allows one or more further usage cycles.

[0019] Optionally, for greater ease of use, the activation request can be transmitted from the portable data processing device to the control server device and from the control server device to the operator control device. Using the portable data processing device, a user can not only transmit a recharge request to the control server device, but can also simultaneously generate a specific activation request for the respective machine and transmit it to the control server device. The activation request contains information about the machine program selected by the user for execution. If various machine programs can be executed with the machine, a user only needs to transmit the respective activation request to the control server device using the data transmission device.Because the control server also transmits the activation request to the operator control device, the machine program requested in the activation request can be started immediately after the activation requirement has been verified, without any further user intervention, using the operator control device. A separate selection or activation action by the user by pressing an activation control device on the operator control device is then unnecessary.

[0020] The invention also relates to an operator control device for a machine with a machine control device with which several usage cycles of a machine program can be carried out, wherein the operator control device has a data transmission device for wirelessly transmitting data to a portable data processing device, characterized in that the operator control device has a data transmission device for wirelessly transmitting data to a control server device, that the operator control device has a processor device for processing data transmitted from the control server device to the operator control device, that the operator control device has an interface device for connecting to the machine control device of the machine,and that the operator control device has an enabling device connected to the processor device, with which a machine program executable with the machine control device can be enabled or activated via the interface device. Such an operator control device can be manufactured and provided as a separate component and integrated into a machine without great effort and connected to the machine control device of the machine via the interface device. In this way, almost any machine can be equipped with such an operator control device without great design effort and without requiring intervention in the machine control device or in other machine components. In a particularly simple design, the interface device can, for example, have a switching device,which can be arranged on an electrical supply line of the machine in such a way that, depending on the isolating device, the electrical supply to the machine can be interrupted or released with the switching device.

[0021] The data transmission device of the operator control device must be suitable and configured to transmit data with the control server device and to receive data from the control server device. In many cases, standardized data transmission modules and protocols, such as those known and used on the Internet or in mobile data transmission, can be used. The data transmission device should be designed and configured in such a way that data transmission to a remote control server device is also possible.

[0022] In order for a user to transmit a top-up request to the control server device for a desired use of the machine with a portable data processing device, the user must identify the machine in question. This can be done by the user manually entering an operator control device address and entering it into the portable data processing device. Automated capture of the operator control device address can also be enabled, for example, by attaching a machine-readable code, such as a QR code or a barcode, to the operator control device that can be read with the portable data processing device.

[0023] According to an advantageous embodiment of the inventive concept, the operator control device optionally has an identification storage device with a unique operator control device address stored therein. The operator control device address can be automatically requested and read from the operator control device by a portable data processing device, or transmitted from the operator control device to the portable data processing device.It is also conceivable that the operator control device is configured such that, when the portable data processing device approaches the operator control device, the operator control device address can be automatically transmitted to the portable data processing device using suitable near-field data transmission modules and data transmission protocols such as Bluetooth or NFC, so that the operator control device address can be transmitted from the operator control device to the portable data processing device without any intervention by the user.

[0024] Preferably, it is optionally provided that the identification storage device has a memory area that cannot be written to with data during its useful life. This prevents an operator control device address stored in the non-rewritable memory area of ​​the identification storage device from being misused or inadvertently overwritten or deleted during subsequent use of the operator control device with a machine. This significantly reduces the risk of misuse or unintentional interference with the operator control device and the machine programs that can be activated thereby.

[0025] The operator control device can be operated in such a way that the operator control device can only receive and evaluate usage cycle release information from a control server device, which is transmitted to the operator control device by a possibly predefined or any pre- or post-authorized control server device. To reduce the risk of misuse of the operator control device, it can be provided that the operator control device either transmits no data at all or transmits no data other than the operator control device address.

[0026] According to an advantageous embodiment of the inventive concept, the operator control device can optionally be provided with a control server contact storage device with control server contact data stored therein. The control server contact data stored therein can be transmitted and transferred to the portable data processing device either only upon request or automatically, and optionally together with the operator control device address.With a suitable software application, the control server contact data can be used for partially or fully automated data transmission between the portable data processing device and the control server device. For example, using a suitable browser or a separate software application, data can be retrieved from the control server device and a user interface specified by the control server device or linked to information can be displayed on a suitably configured portable data processing device. It is then not necessary for a user to identify and contact a suitable control server device on their own initiative, with which usage cycle release information can be transmitted from the respective control server device to the operating control device.It can also be provided that the operator control device checks whether usage cycle release information is transmitted from a control server device to the operator control device whose operator control device address matches the control server contact data stored in the control server contact storage device of the operator control device. If necessary, control server contact data from several different control server devices can also be stored in the control server contact storage device in order to compensate for a possible failure of a control server device or a temporarily prevented data transmission with a single control server device by switching to another control server device.

[0027] In order to enable encrypted data transmission between the control server device and the operator control device, which is thus protected from unauthorized manipulation, it can optionally be provided that the processor device is configured to decrypt encrypted data which is transmitted from the control server device to the operator control device.

[0028] It can be provided that the operator control device is configured such that, only in the control step, the processor device checks the usage cycle release information transmitted from the control server device to the operator control device and determines whether the usage cycle release information meets the activation requirement for the machine activation requested with the activation request. Depending on the result of the check, the requested activation can be enabled or the activation of a machine program can be prevented. In this case, an associated transmission of usage cycle release information from the control server device to the operator control device is required for each individual activation of a machine program.

[0029] It may also be optionally provided and advantageous for the operator control device to have a usage cycle release information storage device for storing usage cycle release information. In this case, the usage release information may, for example, contain information about a number of usage cycles that can be enabled after a one-time transmission of usage cycle release information, without requiring a new data transmission from the control server device to the operator control device.The usage release information may also include information about a quantity of a machine program duration or a consumable required for the execution of a machine program, which is transmitted from the control server device to the operator control device and stored in the usage cycle release information storage device in order to be retrieved for subsequent activation requests and to be adapted after the execution of an activated machine program.

[0030] It may happen that several machines, and in particular several similar machines, are each equipped with an operating control device, each of which has a usage cycle number information storage device. With a suitable upload request, a user can cause usage cycle number information to be transmitted from the control server device to an operating control device identified by the user in advance, which allows the activation of multiple usage cycles. For example, the machine could be a washing machine usable by different people and equipped with a suitable operating control device.Using the method described above, a user can have usage cycle number information transferred to the operating control device, which corresponds, for example, to five or ten washing processes, which can then be activated and carried out on the washing machine in question without a renewed data exchange with a control server device.

[0031] It is also possible, for example, for a laundromat to have several washing machines available that can be used by the user simultaneously or sequentially to perform a wash cycle. If each of these washing machines is equipped with a suitable control device, the user can activate a wash cycle for each selected washing machine using only their smartphone or other suitable portable data processing device.

[0032] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the inventive concept, it is optionally provided that after a top-up request step, in a control server usage cycle information query step, the control server device retrieves the usage cycle number information stored in a usage cycle number information storage device from several other operation control devices and determines whether usage cycle number information matching the top-up request is stored in one of the queried other operation control devices, and that in the top-up confirmation step, not only a data-transmitting connection is established between the control server device and the operation control device identified via the operation control device address and usage cycle release information is transmitted from the control server device to the operation control device,but additionally, in the queried other service control device, the usage cycle number information stored in its usage cycle number information storage device is modified and re-stored depending on the usage cycle release information transmitted in the top-up confirmation step to the service control device identified via the service control device address. In this way, it is possible for the control server device, after receiving a top-up request for an service control device, to first query other service control devices, which can also be contacted via the control server device,Whether a usage cycle count information matching the current charging request is already stored in their usage cycle count information storage device. A criterion for matching usage cycle count information can be, for example, comparable usage cycles or value equivalents that can be assigned to the respective usage cycle count information. A reference to the same user, which must be able to be established via the usage cycle count information, can also serve as a criterion.

[0033] If the control server device can determine usage cycle count information that matches the reload request initiated by the user by querying other control devices, the usage cycle count information already transmitted to another control device can be used, instead of a new payment transaction that would otherwise be necessary, in order to activate the desired machine program with the control device currently identified by the user. In this case, the usage cycle count information on the other control device must then be changed accordingly. In this way, a user in a laundromat can have a selected washing machine reloaded with usage cycle count information that corresponds to multiple wash cycles by requesting a reload.If he subsequently wishes to activate and carry out a washing process on other washing machines in the laundromat simultaneously or successively, a control server usage cycle information query step can be used to query whether a corresponding credit or matching usage cycle number information is stored on an operating control device of one of the available washing machines, in order to then use this credit or the relevant usage cycle number information to carry out washing processes on other washing machines as well.

[0034] In a similar manner, it can optionally also be provided that in a local charging request step, the operating control device identified via the operating control device address retrieves the number of usage cycles information stored in a number of usage cycles information storage device for several other operating control devices and determines whether one of the queried other operating control devices has stored a number of usage cycles information matching the charging request, and that in a local charging confirmation step, a usage cycle release information is transmitted from the queried other operating control device to the operating control device,and that, in addition, in the queried other operator control device, the number of usage cycles information stored in its number of usage cycles information storage device is modified and re-stored depending on the usage cycle release information transmitted in the local top-up confirmation step to the operator control device identified via the operator control device address. The individual operator control devices of the multiple machines can thus communicate with each other and enable a user to activate a machine program on a machine selected by them, as long as sufficient credit or appropriate number of usage cycles information is stored on another machine. Upon activation of the machine program on the selected machine, the number of usage cycles information is then stored on the other operator control device,from which the usage cycle count information was retrieved and used for activation, adjusted accordingly.

[0035] The local top-up request step and the local top-up confirmation step can be performed without a data transmission connection to the control server device. It is also possible for the operator control devices to each have a dedicated data transmission device for data exchange with other operator control devices, which can be operated independently of data transmission with the control server device. It can also be provided and advantageous for these dedicated data transmission devices to be configured for other data transmission methods and use other data transmission protocols.

[0036] According to an optional embodiment of the inventive concept, the operating control device can be provided with a display device. The display device can, for example, comprise one or more illuminated displays that can illuminate in one color or in different colors and can indicate the current status of the operating control device, and in particular, an enabled or rejected activation request. The display device can also comprise, for example, a liquid crystal display or a small monitor on which detailed information about the current status and possible operating options for the operating control device can be displayed.

[0037] Furthermore, it can advantageously be optionally provided that the operator control device has at least one operable operating element with which an activation request can be generated. A user can then generate an activation request by actuating the operating element in order to activate a predetermined machine program of the machine controlled by the operator control device.This activation request, along with a unique operator control device address, can be transmitted from a portable data processing device to a control server device either automatically or through user interaction. It can then be transmitted from the control server device to the operator control device along with usage cycle release information, so that the machine program requested by the activation request can be activated and executed without further interaction or actuation by the user. In this way, the operation of the machine with the operator control device can be made easier and even more convenient for the user.

[0038] If, in addition, the information required for a charging request step is stored in the user's portable data processing device and can be retrieved automatically upon receipt of an activation request and transmitted to the control server device, the release and activation of a machine program can be effected solely by a corresponding actuation of an operating element of the operating control device, without the user having to interact with the portable data processing device or having to perform additional actuation steps with the portable data processing device.

[0039] Advantageously, the operator control device is configured to carry out the method according to one of the variants explained above. A significant advantage is that the operator control device can be manufactured separately from the machine and, if necessary, by a different manufacturer, and only needs to be connected to the machine via the interface. The machine can have its own machine control program that functions independently of the operator control device and can also be used without a connection to the operator control device. The machine can be easily retrofitted with the operator control device and can thus be configured in such a way that prior activation by a control server device is required for the execution of a machine program.

[0040] Regardless of the specific design of the operator control device, the operator control device can comprise a closed operator control device housing that can be easily mechanically connected to a machine and has a suitably designed interface device. The operator control device can also be designed such that the operator control device can be connected to the machine instead of a machine operator control device, or it can be designed such that the operator control device, after being arranged and secured to a machine housing, covers the machine operator control device and makes it inaccessible or no longer operable to a user.It can also be provided that by connecting the operating control device to the machine, a machine operating device is deactivated and the machine can only be activated and operated via the operating control device.

[0041] A further advantage is that the machine control program and the machine housing of the machine in question do not have to be separately set up or adapted for activation by a control server device, so that the same machine can be operated and used either without an operator control device or with an operator control device that may be subsequently installed on it.

[0042] The invention also relates to a system comprising a machine with an operator control device and a portable data processing device, and with a control server device that can be wirelessly connected to both the operator control device and the portable data processing device. According to the invention, the operator control device is an operator control device with the features listed above, some of which are optional, and the operator control device, the portable data processing device, and the control server device are configured to carry out the method described above for controlling the operation of the machine.Optionally, it can be provided that the operating control device and the portable data processing device are configured such that data can be transmitted from the operating control device to the portable data processing device.

[0043] Various embodiments of the inventive concept are explained in more detail below, which are illustrated schematically and by way of example in the drawings. It shows: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a system with a machine with an operating control device according to the invention and with a portable data processing device as well as a schematic sequence of a method according to the invention for operating and controlling the machine, Fig. 2 a schematic representation of a machine with a machine control program and with an operating control device connected to the machine via an interface device, Fig. 3 a schematic representation of a machine with a machine control program and with a different from that in Fig. 2 illustrated embodiment via an interface device connected to the machine operating control device, Fig. 4 a schematic representation of an operation control device with the aid of which a method according to the invention for controlling the operation of a machine can be carried out, Fig. 5 is a schematic representation of a control server usage cycle information query step, with which a control server device queries the usage cycle number information from several other operation control devices, and Fig. 6 is a schematic representation of a local charging request step with which an operator control device queries the usage cycle number information from a plurality of operator control devices.

[0044] The Fig. The system 1 shown as an example in Figure 1 comprises a machine 2 with which two or more different machine programs can be carried out. The machine 2 can, for example, be a washing machine with which two or more different washing programs can be carried out. The individual machine programs are controlled by a Fig. 1 is controlled by a machine control device (not shown in detail). A user (also not shown) can selectively activate the machine programs so that the selected machine program can be executed automatically after its activation with the help of the machine control device.

[0045] An operator control device 3 is connected to the machine 2 via an interface device (not shown in detail). The operator control device 3 can be integrated into the machine 2 by the manufacturer during its manufacture and connected to the machine 2 via the interface device, or it can be manufactured separately by the manufacturer of the machine 2 or by another manufacturer and subsequently fixed to the machine 2 or integrated therein and connected to the machine 2 via the interface device.

[0046] If a user wishes to activate a machine program of machine 2, the user must transmit a charging request for the relevant machine 2 to a control server device 5 using a portable data processing device 4, for example, a suitably configured mobile radio device. To identify the relevant machine 2, the user must capture a unique operator control device address with the portable data processing device 4 in an identification step 6. This can be done, for example, by the user bringing the portable data processing device 4 into proximity with the operator control device 3 so that the operator control device address can be transmitted from the operator control device 3 to the portable data processing device 4 using a suitable data transmission protocol.The operator control device 3 and the portable data processing device 4 are expediently configured such that the transmission of the operator control device address can only be carried out within a spatial distance of a few centimeters, decimetres, or metres. In this case, the operator control device 3 can also continuously transmit the operator control device address, and the portable data processing device 4 can automatically receive the operator control device address as soon as the portable data processing device 4 approaches the operator control device 3 closer than this predetermined spatial distance. The user can also enter the operator control device address manually or, for example, scan it using a barcode or QR code and have it automatically captured.

[0047] The user can then select one of several machine programs that can be executed with the respective machine 2. Using the portable data processing device 4, the user then transmits a recharge request containing the operator control device address to the control server device 5 in a recharge request step 7. Any data transmission method or any data transmission protocol can be used. Advantageously, a data transmission method suitable for data transmission over large distances is used. Multiple data transmission methods can also be used for different sections of the data transmission.

[0048] Together with or after the transmission of the top-up request, a payment process is performed, with which the user pays a specified usage fee for the execution of the machine program with the machine 2. Effective and sufficient payment by the user is verified by the control server device 5 in a top-up verification step.

[0049] In a subsequent top-up confirmation step 8, the control server device 5 establishes a data transmission connection between the control server device 5 and the operation control device 3 identified via the operation control device address, and transmits usage cycle release information from the control server device 5 to the operation control device 3.

[0050] In a control step, a processor device of the operator control device 3 checks whether the usage cycle release information fulfills the activation requirement for the activation of the machine 2 requested with the activation request. The activation request can have been entered by the user via an actuating element of the operator control device 3 on the machine 2. The activation request can also have been specified by the user interacting with the portable data processing device 4 and transmitted to the operator control device 3 via the control server device 5 together with the usage cycle release information. In the control step, it is checked whether an activation requirement for the execution of the machine program selected with the activation request is met.In an activation step, either the activation of a usage cycle requested with the activation request is activated, allowing the machine to execute the machine program if the activation requirement is met, or the requested activation is not activated if the activation requirement is not met. After successful activation, the selected machine program can then be activated and executed.

[0051] In Fig. 1 shows, merely by way of example, another machine 9, which is also connected to an operator control device 10. This operator control device 10 has a different operator control device address, via which the respective machine 2, 9 can be uniquely identified and activated using the method described above for executing a respective machine program.

[0052] In Fig. Figure 2 schematically illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a machine 2 connected to the operating device 3. The machine 2 has a machine operating device 11 and a machine control device 12 connected thereto. A machine program device 13 for executing a machine program can be activated, controlled, and monitored by the machine control device 12. The machine control device 12 is connected via an electrical supply line 14 to an electrical supply device (not shown) or to an electrical supply network.

[0053] The operator control device 3 is connected via an interface device 15 either via the machine operating device 11 or directly to the machine control device 12. Via the interface device 15, a machine program requested with an activation request can be enabled or activated by the operator control device 3 using an enabling device (not shown in detail). Without the requested machine program being enabled by the operator control device 3, the requested machine program cannot be activated and executed.

[0054] It is also possible and in Fig. 3 shows by way of example that the interface device 15 is designed and configured such that the release device can interrupt or release a power supply via the electrical supply line 14 via the interface device 15, whereby activation and execution of a machine program selected by a user either via the operating control device 3 or via the machine operating device 11 is released or prevented.

[0055] In Fig. Figure 4 shows an exemplary embodiment of an operator control device 3 according to the invention. The operator control device 3 has an operator control device housing 16. A display device 17, visible from the outside, and several externally operable operating elements 18 are arranged on the operator control device housing 16. A first data transmission module 19 for the automated transmission of an operator control device address and a second data transmission module 20 for receiving usage cycle release information from the control server device 5 are arranged on or in the operator control device housing 16.Furthermore, a processor device 21 is arranged in the operator control device housing 16, with which the usage cycle release information transmitted by the control server device 5 can be evaluated and the control step for enabling or denying the execution of a machine program can be carried out. The operator control device 3 can optionally have a control server contact storage device 22 with control server contact data stored therein, a usage cycle number information storage device 23 for storing usage cycle number information, and / or an identification storage device 24 with a unique operator control device address stored therein.

[0056] In Fig. Figure 5 schematically illustrates a control server usage cycle information query step using the example of a laundromat with several machines 2, each configured as a washing machine, each with an operator control device 3. After receiving a recharge request for a machine 2 selected by the user in the recharge request step 7, the control server device 5 retrieves usage cycle information stored in the relevant usage cycle information storage device 23 from the machine 2 and all other machines 2 with a different operator control device 25 in a usage cycle information query step 26.Subsequently, the control server device 5 checks whether usage cycle count information is stored in the operation control device 3 of the machine 2 selected by the user or in one of the other operation control devices 25 of the other machines 2 in the associated operation control device 3, which matches the charging request and would enable the execution of the machine program desired by the user on the machine 2 selected by the user. If suitable usage cycle count information is determined in the usage cycle count information query step 26, the control server device 5 transmits usage cycle enable information to the machine 2 selected by the user in the charging confirmation step 8.Furthermore, in a usage cycle number information adaptation step 27, the control server device 5 transmits to the other operation control device 25 whose usage cycle number information was retrieved and used for the charging confirmation step 8, a correspondingly modified usage cycle number information, which is reduced by one usage cycle release compared to before, so that this modified usage cycle number information can be stored in the other operation control device 25 of the other machine 2.

[0057] In Fig. 6 schematically illustrates the sequence of a local charging request step, with which an operator control device 3 queries the usage cycle count information from several other operator control devices 25. The operator control device 3 of a machine 2 selected by the user receives an activation request 28 from the user's portable data processing device 4. If the usage cycle count information stored in the operator control device 3 does not permit release of the machine program specified in the activation request 28, the operator control device 3 retrieves from other operator control devices 25 of other machines 2, in a usage cycle count information query step 26, each item of usage cycle count information stored there in the relevant usage cycle count information storage device 23.A data transmission connection to the control server device 5 is not required in this case. If suitable usage cycle number information is determined in the usage cycle number information query step 26, the operating control device 3 activates the activation of a usage cycle requested with the activation request in the activation step.Furthermore, in a usage cycle number information adaptation step 27, the operator control device 3 transmits to the other operator control device 25 whose usage cycle number information was retrieved and used for enabling and activating the machine 2, a correspondingly modified usage cycle number information, which is reduced by one usage cycle enable compared to before, so that this modified usage cycle number information can be stored in the other operator control device 25 of the other machine 2.

[0058] With the two in the Fig. 5 and Fig.6 schematically illustrated process sequences, it is possible, for example, in a laundromat with several washing machines, to top up a selected washing machine with a credit enabling several washing processes with a single top-up process via a control server device 5 or to store corresponding usage cycle number information in the relevant operating control device 3 in order to then be able to carry out several washing processes on other washing machines using this usage cycle number information, without a user having to carry out a payment process and a corresponding top-up process via the control server device 5 again.

Claims

[1] Method for controlling the operation of a machine (2, 9) with a machine control device (12) with which several usage cycles of a machine program can be carried out, wherein after receiving an activation request in a control step before activating a usage cycle with an operation control device (3, 10) it is checked whether an activation requirement for the execution of a machine program is met and wherein in an activation step an activation of a usage cycle requested with the activation request is enabled so that the machine (2, 9) can execute the machine program if the activation requirement is met, and in the activation step the requested activation is not enabled if the activation requirement is not met, characterized bythat in an identification step (6) with a portable data processing device (4) a unique operator control device address is detected, that in a top-up request step (7) a data-transmitting connection is established from the portable data processing device (4) to a control server device (5) and a top-up request containing the operator control device address is transmitted to the control server device (5), that in a top-up checking step with the control server device (5) the top-up request is checked and usage cycle release information is generated, that in a top-up confirmation step (8) a data-transmitting connection is established between the control server device (5) and the operator control device (3,10) is established and a usage cycle release information is transmitted from the control server device (5) to the operator control device (3, 10), and that in the control step, a processor device (21) of the operator control device checks whether the usage cycle release information meets the activation requirement of the activation of the machine (2, 9) requested with the activation request. [2] Method according to claim 1, characterized bythat the operator control device (3, 10) has an identification storage device (24) with a unique operator control device address stored therein and that in the identification step (6) the operator control device address is automatically transmitted to the portable data processing device (4) as soon as a distance between the portable data processing device (4) and the operator control device (3, 10) is less than a predeterminable minimum distance. [3] Method according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized by that the operating control device (3) has a control server contact storage device (22) with control server contact data stored therein and that in the identification step (6) the control server contact data are automatically transmitted to the portable data processing device (4). [4] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat in the top-up confirmation step (8) the data transmitting connection between the control server device (5) and the operation control device (3, 10) is carried out in encrypted form. [5] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the operation control device (3, 10) has a usage cycle number information storage device (23) for storing usage cycle number information, that in the charging confirmation step (8), based on the usage cycle release information transmitted to the operation control device (3, 10), usage cycle number information is stored or adapted in the usage cycle number information storage device (23), and that in the activation step, after a successful activation of an activation of a usage cycle requested with the activation request, the usage cycle number information is reduced by a usage cycle number corresponding to the activation that has taken place. [6] Method according to claim 5, characterized bythat after a top-up request step (7), in a control server usage cycle information query step, the control server device retrieves the usage cycle number information stored in a usage cycle number information storage device (23) from several other operation control devices (25) and determines whether usage cycle number information matching the top-up request is stored in one of the queried other operation control devices (25), and that in the top-up confirmation step (8), not only is a data-transmitting connection established between the control server device (5) and the operation control device (3, 10) identified via the operation control device address, but usage cycle release information is transmitted from the control server device (5) to the operation control device (3, 10),but additionally, in the queried other operation control device (25), the usage cycle number information stored in its usage cycle number information storage device (23) is changed and newly stored depending on the usage cycle release information transmitted in the charging confirmation step (8) to the operation control device (3, 10) identified via the operation control device address. [7] Method according to claim 5 or claim 6, characterized bythat in a local top-up request step (7) in an operating device usage cycle information query step, the operating control device (3, 10) identified via the operating control device address retrieves the usage cycle number information stored in a usage cycle number information storage device (23) from a plurality of other operating control devices (25) and determines whether usage cycle number information matching the top-up request is stored in one of the queried other operating control devices (25), and that in the top-up confirmation step (8) not only a data-transmitting connection is established between the control server device (5) and the operating control device (3, 10) identified via the operating control device address and usage cycle release information is sent from the control server device (5) to the operating control device (3,10) is transmitted, but in addition, in the queried operation control device (25), the usage cycle number information stored in its usage cycle number information storage device (23) is changed and newly stored depending on the usage cycle release information transmitted in the charging confirmation step (8) to the operation control device (3, 10) identified via the operation control device address. [8] Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the activation request is transmitted from the portable data processing device (4) to the control server device (5) and from the control server device (5) to the operator control device (3, 10). [9] Operating control device (3, 10) for a machine (2, 9) with a machine control device (12) with which several usage cycles of a machine program can be carried out, wherein the operating control device (3, 10) has a data transmission device (19) for the wireless transmission of data to a portable data processing device (4), characterized bythat the operator control device (3, 10) has a data transmission device (20) for wirelessly receiving data with a control server device (5), that the operator control device (3, 10) has a processor device (21) for processing data which is transmitted from the control server device (5) to the operator control device (3, 10), that the operator control device (3, 10) has an interface device (15) for connection to the machine control device (12) of the machine, and that the operator control device (3, 10) has an enabling device connected to the processor device (21), with which enabling device a machine program which can be executed with the machine control device (12) can be enabled or activated via the interface device (15). [10] Operating control device (3, 10) according to claim 9, characterized by, the operator control device (3, 10) has an identification storage device (24) with a unique operator control device address stored there. [11] Operating control device (3, 10) according to claim 10, characterized by that the identification storage device (24) has a storage area which cannot be written with data during a period of use. [12] Operating control device (3, 10) according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized by that the operating control device (3, 10) has a control server contact storage device (22) with control server contact data stored there. [13] Operating control device (3, 10) according to one of claims 9 to 12, characterized by that the processor device (21) is arranged to decrypt encrypted data which is transmitted from the control server device (5) to the operator control device (3, 10). [14] Operating control device (3, 10) according to one of claims 9 to 13, characterized by that the operation control device (3, 10) has a usage cycle release information storage device (23) for storing usage cycle release information. [15] Operating control device (3, 10) according to one of claims 9 to 14, characterized by that the operating control device (3, 10) has a display device (17). [16] Operating control device (3, 10) according to one of claims 9 to 15, characterized by that the operating control device (3, 10) has at least one actuatable operating element (18) with which an activation request can be generated. [17] Operating control device (3, 10) according to one of claims 9 to 16, characterized by that the operating control device (3, 10) is designed to carry out the method according to one of claims 1 to 6. [18] System comprising a machine with an operator control device (3, 10) and with a portable data processing device (4), and with a control server device (5) which can be connected to both the operator control device (3, 10) and the portable data processing device (4) in a wireless data transmission manner, characterized by that the operating control device (3, 10) is an operating control device (3, 10) according to claims 9 to 17. [19] System according to claim 16, characterized by that the operating control device (3, 10) and the portable data processing device (4) are arranged so that data can be transmitted from the operating control device (3, 10) to the portable data processing device (4). [20] System according to claim 16 or 17, characterized bythat the operation control device (3, 10), the portable data processing device (4) and the control server device (5) are arranged to carry out the method for controlling the operation of the machine according to one of claims 1 to 8

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