Reflector for a household appliance

Abstract

A reflection device (100) for a gesture control (205) for controlling a household appliance (200); wherein the gesture control (205) is configured to emit electromagnetic waves, receive electromagnetic waves reflected from a user (210), determine a gesture of the user (210) based on emitted and received waves, and control the household appliance (200) depending on the determined gesture; comprises an arrangement of reflection elements (105) for electromagnetic waves and a control device, wherein the control device is configured to align the reflection elements (105) such that electromagnetic waves are reflected from the gesture control (205) with improved feedback to the user (100) or from the user (100) with improved feedback to the gesture control (205).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a reflection device for a gesture control for controlling a household appliance. The present invention further relates to a household appliance with a gesture control for controlling the household appliance. The present invention further relates to a system comprising a household appliance with a gesture control and a reflection device. The present invention further relates to a method for controlling a household appliance with a gesture control.

[0002] A household appliance can include a sensing unit, such as a gesture control. The sensing unit can sense an object, for example, a user's gesture. Examples of this are known from DE 10 2022 103 849 B3 and DE 10 2015 009 805 A1. The range of the sensing unit is often limited, so that only objects within direct line of sight and / or in the immediate vicinity of the sensing unit can be sensed. Another disadvantage can be that the sensing unit's reception in a household can be poor, so that the sensing unit cannot receive signals, such as Wi-Fi and / or mobile phone signals, or the like, or can only receive them inadequately.

[0003] An object underlying the present invention is to improve the possibilities of sensing, in particular gesture control, in particular in a household.

[0004] The invention solves this problem by means of the subject matter of the independent claims. Subclaims specify preferred embodiments.

[0005] A reflection device for a gesture control for controlling a household appliance comprises an arrangement of reflection elements for electromagnetic waves and a control device; wherein the gesture control is configured to emit electromagnetic waves, receive electromagnetic waves reflected from a user, determine a gesture of the user on the basis of emitted and received waves, and control the household appliance depending on the determined gesture; wherein the control device is configured to align the reflection elements such that electromagnetic waves are reflected from the gesture control in an improved manner to the user or from the user in an improved manner to the gesture control.

[0006] The reflection device enables the electromagnetic waves to be radiated over a larger area and / or reflected back from a larger area than is possible, for example, with gesture control without a reflection device. This improves sensing, particularly gesture control, especially in a household. In the broadest sense, gesture control can also be understood as object recognition, for example, using spectroscopy.

[0007] The arrangement is advantageously designed to be attached to a flat surface. The surface advantageously extends vertically. A vertically extending surface can, for example, be part of a wall, a piece of furniture, another household appliance, or the like. The surface can also extend horizontally. A horizontally extending surface can, for example, be part of a ceiling, a floor, a piece of furniture, another household appliance, or the like. This allows the reflection device, particularly in the home, to be arranged in such a way that sensing is improved.

[0008] Preferably, the reflective elements are aligned so that reflected waves arrive at the user or gesture control in a concentrated form. This enhances the electromagnetic waves, thus improving sensing.

[0009] The control device expediently comprises a communication device for connecting to the gesture control. This allows communication between the communication device and the gesture control, for example, allowing the reflection elements to be aligned by the gesture control.

[0010] According to the invention, the reflection elements comprise a metamaterial. A metamaterial is advantageously a synthetically produced material, in particular with optical, electrical, or magnetic properties. The metamaterial advantageously has electromagnetic properties.

[0011] A household appliance with a gesture control for controlling the household appliance is configured to communicate with a reflection device described herein; wherein the gesture control is configured to emit electromagnetic waves, receive electromagnetic waves reflected from a user, determine a user gesture based on emitted and received waves, and control the household appliance depending on the determined gesture; and wherein the household appliance aligns the reflection elements with metamaterial. As a result, the household appliance can align the reflection elements with the aid of the reflection device in such a way that the reception and / or transmission of electromagnetic waves is improved, and that the sensing is advantageously improved.

[0012] A system comprises a household appliance with a gesture control configured to emit electromagnetic waves, receive electromagnetic waves reflected from a user, determine a user's gesture based on the emitted and received waves, and control the household appliance depending on the determined gesture; as well as a reflection device as described herein. Thus, with the aid of the reflection device, the system can improve the reception and / or transmission of electromagnetic waves, thereby advantageously improving sensing.

[0013] A method for controlling a household appliance, particularly described herein, with a gesture control, wherein the gesture control is configured to emit electromagnetic waves, receive electromagnetic waves reflected from a user, determine a gesture of the user based on the emitted and received waves, and control the household appliance based on the gesture; comprises the following steps: - Determining a relative position of the user with respect to the gesture control; and - Aligning reflection elements with metamaterial of a reflection device, particularly described herein, for electromagnetic waves in such a way that waves emitted by the gesture control are reflected at the reflection elements in an improved manner to the user and / or waves reflected at the user are reflected at the reflection elements in an improved manner to the gesture control.

[0014] Non-limiting embodiments of the invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying figures, in which: Fig. 1 a reflection device; Fig. 2 the reflection device for a gesture control for controlling a household appliance; Fig. 3 is a flowchart of a method for controlling a household appliance; Fig. 4 a schematic representation of the reflection device in a household; Fig. 5 a flowchart of a method for sensing an object; and Fig. 6 shows a schematic representation of the reflection device in the household.

[0015] Fig. 1 shows a reflection device 100. The reflection device 100 comprises an arrangement of reflection elements 105. In Fig. 1, the reflection elements 105 are shown enlarged as a section of the reflection device 100. The reflection elements 105 are provided to reflect electromagnetic waves and comprise a metamaterial. In particular, the surface of the reflection elements, preferably the reflective surface, can comprise the metamaterial and / or be provided with the metamaterial, for example, coated. The reflection device 100 comprises a control device not shown in the figures. The control device is provided to align the reflection elements 105 such that electromagnetic waves are reflected more effectively.

[0016] A transmitted wireless signal is in Fig. 1 is shown with a solid line. Multipath signals are indicated by dashed lines. Club-shaped bodies indicate signal reflection.

[0017] In the following, Fig. 1, the general functioning of the reflection device 100 will be explained. Incident beams are emitted from a base station 110. The base station 110 is, in the broadest sense, a base station 110 that emits and / or receives electromagnetic radiation. In the exemplary embodiment, the base station 110 is intended to emit incident beams that impinge on the reflection device 100. The reflection device 100 adjusts the reflection elements 105 such that the incident beams reach a first receiver 115 as reflected beams, a second receiver 120 with a time delay, and a third receiver 125 with a time delay. It is understood that in a further exemplary embodiment, the receivers 115, 120, 125 can emit beams that are reflected by the reflection device 100 and guided to the base station 110.

[0018] The reflection device 100 is preferably useful when a direct connection between the base station 110 and the receiver 115, 120, 125 is not possible, for example, due to an obstacle 130. If a direct connection is possible, the direct connection, which, for example, scatters the electromagnetic radiation in multiple paths (multipath), is preferably selected.

[0019] Fig. Figure 2 shows the reflection device 100 in one exemplary embodiment. A household appliance 200, for example, an oven, a stove, or similar household appliance, comprises a gesture control 205. The gesture control 205 is configured to emit electromagnetic waves, receive electromagnetic waves reflected from a user 210, determine a gesture of the user 210 based on the emitted and received waves, and control the household appliance 200 depending on the determined gesture. As shown in Fig. 2 by broken lines that extend in a funnel shape from the gesture control 205, the gesture control 205 has a limited area in which the gestures of the user 210 can be recognized. As in Fig. 2, the gesture control 205 can be used in Fig. In the special case shown in Figure 2, the gesture of the right hand of the user 210 cannot be recognized because it is concealed by the body of the user 210. However, the electromagnetic waves emitted by the gesture control 205 can reach the reflection device 100. In the exemplary embodiment, the control device aligns the reflection elements 105 such that the electromagnetic waves emitted by the gesture control 205 are reflected at the gesture control 205 in an improved manner to the user 210 or from the user in an improved manner to the gesture control 205.

[0020] The reflection device 100 includes a communication device 215. A connection can be established with the gesture control 205 using the communication device 215. This allows, for example, the gesture control 205 to align the reflection elements 105.

[0021] The reflection device 100 and / or the arrangement is preferably configured to be attached to a flat surface. The surface preferably extends vertically or horizontally. The flat surface can be arranged, for example, on another household appliance, such as an extractor hood, on a piece of furniture, such as a kitchen cabinet or a kitchen cabinet door, on the floor, on the ceiling, on the wall, or the like.

[0022] In Fig. 3 shows an embodiment in the form of a flowchart of a method that illustrates the use of the reflection device 100 for a gesture control 205 for controlling the household appliance 200.

[0023] In a first step 300, the user 210 wishes to control the household appliance 200, for example, an oven, with a gesture. In a second step 305, the user 210 turns away while performing the gesture so that the gesture control 205 no longer sees the gesture, at least not directly. In a next step 310, the gesture control 205 detects that the gesture has only been partially received. In a next step 315, the household appliance 200 integrates the reflection device 100. For this purpose, the household appliance 200 communicates 320 with the reflection device 100, preferably via the 6G mobile communications standard. In a further embodiment 325, a further gesture sensor of another household appliance can be used by the household appliance 200. For this purpose, communication between the household appliances is advantageously provided.In a next step 335, the reflection device 100 arranges the reflection elements 105 such that the electromagnetic waves strike the user 210, preferably the hand of the user 210 performing the gesture. Preferably, the alignment is performed using an algorithm 340 that includes artificial intelligence and / or machine learning, for example, beamforming and / or beamfocusing algorithms.

[0024] In a next step 345, gesture control 205 communicates to reflection device 100 that a gesture was recognized. Preferably, reflection device 100 remains configured accordingly.

[0025] In a next step 350, the gesture is detected by the gesture controller 205 via the reflection device 100. Preferably, the reflection device 100 is configured and parameterized 355 such that the reflected beam, in particular the returned waves, are sent back to the gesture controller 205.

[0026] In a next step 360, the gesture controller 205 communicates the gesture to the household appliance 200. The communication can be made directly, particularly if the household appliance 200 includes the gesture controller 205. If the household appliance 200 does not include the gesture controller 205, communication can be wired or wireless, for example, via the 6G mobile communications standard. In a next step 370, the household appliance 200 responds to the detected gesture. The household appliance 200 can serve as the output device. It can be provided that the output device is a terminal device, for example, a smartphone, tablet, smartwatch, or the like, which preferably communicates wirelessly, for example, via the 6G mobile communications standard 375.

[0027] Fig. 4 shows the reflection device 100 in a household. Fig. Figure 4 shows in particular how the reflection device 100 can be arranged in the household to carry out the method described herein. In comparison to the embodiment according to Fig. 2, the household appliance 200 in the embodiment according to Fig. 4 shows a household appliance communication unit 400. The household appliance communication unit 400 can be included in the gesture control 205. The household appliance communication unit 400 can also be configured separately from the gesture control 205. The household appliance communication unit 400 can optionally communicate with the reflection device 100. The household appliance communication device 400 can optionally communicate with a base station 405, in particular with a communication device 410 of the base station 405. The base station 405 can, in particular, communicate with the reflection device 100.

[0028] In the exemplary embodiment, the household appliance 200 can communicate either directly with the reflection device 100 and / or via the base station 405 with the reflection device 100.

[0029] In Fig. 5 and Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 6, it is provided that the reflection device 100 is used for a signal processing unit 600, in particular for spectroscopy of an object. According to this embodiment, gesture control is understood, in the broadest sense, to also include object recognition, for example, by means of spectroscopy.

[0030] In a first step 500, a user 210 places a Fig. 6, for example, a food item, such as an apple, onto a work surface 610. In a next step 505, a sensor not shown in the figures registers the placement of the object 605 on the work surface 610. The sensor can, for example, be integrated into the work surface 610, and / or be comprised of the household appliance 200, and / or be a separate sensor. In a next step 510, the sensor informs the signal processing unit 600 about the placement. The signal processing unit 600 and the sensor communicate 515 preferably wirelessly, for example, via the 6G mobile radio standard. The signal processing unit 600 is a spectroscopy unit in the exemplary embodiment. In a next step 510, the signal processing unit 600 cannot detect the object 605, for example, because the user 210 or another obstacle is in the direct line of sight between the signal processing unit 600 and the object 605 (as in Fig.6 as an example). It may be expedient for the signal processing unit 600 to return 525 a message, for example, about unusual information, such as that the user 210 is in the way. In a next step 530, the signal processing unit 600 integrates the reflection device 100. For example, the signal processing unit 600 communicates wirelessly with the reflection device 100, for example via the 6G mobile radio standard. It may be expedient for the reflection device 100 to include a signal processing communication unit 615 that can communicate wirelessly, for example via 6G. In a next step 540, the signal processing unit 600 directs the electromagnetic waves emitted by it, in particular the spectroscopy beam, onto the reflection device 100.In a next step 545, the control device of the reflection device 100 adjusts the angle of emergence of the electromagnetic waves, in particular of the spectroscopy beam, so that they impinge on the object 605. It may be expedient to use algorithms 550, preferably artificial intelligence and / or machine learning algorithms, preferably beamforming and / or beamfocusing algorithms, for this purpose. In a next step 555, the signal processing unit 600 informs the reflection device 100 of the detection of the object 605. The reflection device 100 can remain configured accordingly. In a next step 560, the signal processing unit 600 analyzes the object 605. It may be expedient for the reflection device 100 to be configured and parameterized such that the beam reflected by the object is redirected to the reflection device 100 and / or to the signal processing unit 600.In a next step 575, the signal processing unit 600 reports the analysis data to an output device 620. The household appliance 200 can serve as the output device 620. It can be provided that the output device 620 is a terminal device, for example, a smartphone, tablet, smartwatch, or the like, which preferably communicates wirelessly, for example, via the 6G mobile communications standard. Reference symbol 100 reflection device 105 reflection elements 110 Base Station 115 First Recipient 120 Second Recipient 125 Third Recipient 130 Obstacle 200 household appliances 205 Gesture control 210 users 215 Communication device 400 Home Appliance Communication Unit 405 Base Station 410 Communication device 600 signal processing unit 605 Object 610 work surface 615 Signal processing communication unit 620 output device

Claims

[1] Reflection device (100) for a gesture control (205) for controlling a household appliance (200); wherein the gesture control (205) is configured to emit electromagnetic waves, to receive electromagnetic waves reflected from a user (210), to determine a gesture of the user (210) on the basis of emitted and received waves, and to control the household appliance (200) depending on the determined gesture; wherein the reflection device (100) comprises an arrangement of reflection elements (105) for electromagnetic waves and a control device, wherein the control device is configured to align the reflection elements (105) such that electromagnetic waves are reflected from the gesture control (205) in an improved manner onto the user (100) or from the user (100) in an improved manner onto the gesture control (205); characterized by that the reflection elements (105) comprise a metamaterial. [2] Reflection device (100) according to claim 1, characterized by that the assembly is designed to be attached to a flat surface. [3] Reflection device (100) according to claim 2, wherein the surface extends vertically. [4] Reflection device (100) according to claim 2, wherein the surface extends horizontally. [5] Reflection device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the reflection elements (105) are aligned such that reflected waves arrive at the user (210) or at the gesture control (205) in a bundled manner. [6] Reflection device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control device comprises a communication device (215) for connection to the gesture control (205). [7] Household appliance (200) with a gesture control (205) for controlling the household appliance (200), wherein the gesture control (205) is configured to emit electromagnetic waves, to receive electromagnetic waves reflected from a user (210), to determine a gesture of the user (210) on the basis of emitted and received waves, and to control the household appliance (200) depending on the determined gesture; wherein the household appliance (200) is configured to communicate with a reflection device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 6; and wherein the household appliance (200) aligns the reflection elements (105). [8] A system comprising a household appliance (200) with a gesture control (205) configured to emit electromagnetic waves, to receive electromagnetic waves reflected from a user (210), to determine a gesture of the user (210) on the basis of emitted and received waves, and to control the household appliance (200) depending on the determined gesture; and a reflection device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 6. [9] A method for controlling a household appliance (200), in particular according to claim 7, with a gesture control (205), wherein the gesture control (205) is configured to emit electromagnetic waves, to receive electromagnetic waves reflected by a user (210), to determine a gesture of the user (210) on the basis of emitted and received waves, and to control the household appliance (200) on the basis of the gesture; wherein the method comprises the following steps: - determining a relative position of the user (210) with respect to the gesture control; and - Aligning reflection elements (105) of a reflection device (100) for electromagnetic waves according to one of claims 1 to 6 such that waves emitted by the gesture control (205) are reflected at the reflection elements (105) in an improved manner to the user (210) and / or waves reflected at the user (210) are reflected at the reflection elements (105) in an improved manner to the gesture control (205).

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