Electrical household appliance with multi-channel display and control unit for barrier-free user interaction

Abstract

Electrical household appliance (G), characterized in that it comprises an LED strip (1) designed to indicate different operating states, producing visual signals in the form of light modes such as continuous light, flashing light, color change or pulsating light.

Description

Field of invention

[0001] The invention relates to control, display, and interaction technology for electrical household appliances such as laundry centers, ironing machines, and especially stationary kitchen appliances such as ovens, microwaves, toasters, or air fryers. It relates in particular to the user-friendly design of user interaction – for users with sensory impairments – through combined visual, acoustic, and tactile feedback systems. Background of the invention

[0002] Common household appliances often only feature simple indicator lights such as LEDs or acoustic signals to show their status. These output devices are only partially perceptible to users with hearing or visual impairments. Furthermore, intuitive, redundant output concepts that address different sensory channels simultaneously are often lacking.

[0003] Furthermore, touch controls are usually visually oriented and offer no tactile feedback. Remote display via connected external signal modules is rarely provided. Overall, this results in limited accessibility for users.

[0004] In particular, devices that address different sensory channels simultaneously and optionally allow remote display via paired devices such as vibration modules are lacking. Summary

[0005] It is an object of the invention to provide an electrical household appliance that indicates operating states visually, acoustically and tactilely and enables barrier-free operation.

[0006] The term "display and interaction unit" refers in this context to a combined technical unit that emits visual, acoustic and / or tactile signals and simultaneously allows user input.

[0007] The term "tactile control panel" refers to a capacitive and / or sensor-based surface with perceptible structures such as ribs, dots or edges for recognition by visually impaired users.

[0008] The electrical household appliance (G) according to the invention preferably comprises an LED strip (1) which is arranged on a housing part of the electrical household appliance (G), preferably around the appliance contour (2), which preferably generates different light modes (e.g. continuous light, flashing light, color change, pulsating light) to indicate the operating status.

[0009] According to another aspect, the electrical household appliance (G) includes a vibration module (3) for tactile feedback, which is either integrated into the electrical household appliance (G) or alternatively designed as a wirelessly connected vibration wristband (8). Upon a change of status (e.g., program end), the control unit (4) sends a vibration signal to the wristband (8), which transmits it to the wearer in the form of a short series of pulses.

[0010] According to another aspect, the electrical household appliance (G) includes a tactile control panel (5) which is preferably provided with tactile markings and / or capacitive and / or sensor-based surfaces with perceptible structures such as ribs, dots or edges for recognition by visually impaired users.

[0011] Furthermore, according to an advantageous embodiment, a voice control unit (6) is provided which receives voice commands for device control, asks follow-up questions for confirmation, and provides acoustic confirmation. The voice feedback is preferably AI-controlled and via a loudspeaker (7).

[0012] Further aspects and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein: Fig. 1 shows a simplified perspective front view of an electrical household appliance with a surrounding LED strip, Fig. 2 shows a simplified perspective front view of an electrical household appliance with voice control unit and speaker and a tactile control panel, Fig. Figure 3 shows a simplified cross-section of an electrical household appliance with vibration module, control unit and vibration wristband.

[0013] Fig. Figure 1 shows an electrical household appliance (G) – here, for example, an air fryer – with a preferably circumferential LED strip (1) along the appliance contour (2). The LED strip (1) is integrated into a circumferential frame and consists of individually controllable RGB LEDs. These generate different visual signals such as continuous light, pulsing, or flashing patterns for status indication.

[0014] Fig. Figure 2 represents a further embodiment in which the electrical household appliance (G) – here, by way of example, a hot air fryer – comprises a voice control unit (6) and preferably a loudspeaker (7). In addition, a tactile control panel (5) with perceptible marking points (e.g., bumps, lines) is arranged, allowing tactile orientation of the control elements.

[0015] Fig.Figure 3 shows a variant of the electrical household appliance (G) – here, for example, a hot air fryer with a vibration module (3) inside the housing, designed to generate mechanical impulses in response to certain signals. Alternatively or additionally, a wireless vibration wristband (8) is provided, which is connected to the appliance via a radio link. An integrated control unit (4) handles the signal transmission.

[0016] The electrical household appliance G according to the invention consists of combinations of various interaction and display units. The kitchen appliance according to the invention preferably comprises an LED strip 1, which is arranged on a housing part of the kitchen appliance G, preferably around the appliance contour 2, and which preferably generates different light modes (e.g., continuous light, flashing light, color change, pulsating light) to indicate the operating status.

[0017] Furthermore, the electrical household appliance G preferably includes a vibration module 3 for tactile feedback, which is either integrated into the appliance or alternatively designed as a wireless vibration wristband 8. Upon a change of status (e.g., program end), the control unit 4 sends a vibration signal to the wireless vibration wristband 8, which transmits it to the wearer in the form of a short series of pulses.

[0018] According to another aspect, the device includes a tactile control panel 5, which is preferably provided with tactile markings and / or capacitive and / or sensor-based surfaces with perceptible structures such as ribs, dots or edges for recognition by visually impaired users.

[0019] Furthermore, according to an advantageous embodiment, a voice control unit 6 is provided which receives voice commands for device control, asks follow-up questions for confirmation, and provides acoustic confirmation. The voice feedback is preferably given via a loudspeaker 7. Reference symbol list 1 LED strip 2 Device contour 3 Vibration module 4 Control unit 5 tactile control panel 6 Voice control unit 7 speakers 8 wireless vibration bracelet G electrical household appliance

Claims

[1] Electrical household appliance (G), characterized by , that it comprises an LED strip (1) designed to indicate different operating states by producing visual signals in the form of light modes such as continuous light, flashing light, color change or pulsating light. [2] Electrical household appliance (G) according to claim 1, characterized by , that the LED strip (1) is arranged circumferentially along a device contour (2). [3] Electrical household appliance (G) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that a vibration module (3) is provided which is activated by a control unit (4) to generate tactile feedback signals. [4] Electrical household appliance (G) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the control unit (4) is paired with a wireless vibration wristband (8) which transmits tactile status signals to the user. [5] Electrical household appliance (G) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the LED strip (1) consists of RGB LEDs and displays color-coded states [6] Electrical household appliance (G) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that a tactile control panel (5) with perceptible structural features is provided for blind operation. [7] Electrical household appliance (G) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that a voice control unit (6) is integrated which receives voice commands, asks questions and gives acoustic feedback via a loudspeaker (7), wherein the questioning function is preferably AI-based.

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