CONNECTING A HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE TO A REMOTE CONTROL

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a household appliance comprising at least one switching element and at least one network interface for connecting the household appliance to a wireless local network. The invention also relates to a method for operating such a household appliance. The invention is particularly advantageously applicable to refrigeration appliances.

[0002] WO 2016 / 085582 A1 discloses a method for initially connecting a wireless device to an access point using a push button on the access point. This method includes receiving a request at the access point to join a wireless network and receiving a push button command to pair the wireless device with the access point. The method then prevents transmission of all Service Set Identifiers (SSIDs) associated with the access point and determines whether the wireless device is permitted to pair with the access point. The access point then only broadcasts an SSID associated with the wireless device, preventing erroneous pairings between the access point and the wireless device.

[0003] WO 2015 / 039874 A1 discloses a method for connecting a household appliance to a wireless home network, comprising the following steps: receiving access data of the home network by a portable communication terminal; establishing a wireless communication connection separate from the home network between the household appliance, on the one hand, and the portable communication terminal, on the other hand, according to a predetermined short-range communication standard; and transmitting control commands from the portable communication terminal via the communication connection to the household appliance, wherein the control commands control the household appliance to connect to the wireless home network using the access data.

[0004] EP 2 913 906 A1 discloses a method for remotely controlling and / or monitoring the operation of a household appliance using a user's communication device, wherein the household appliance is connected to a local home network and the communication device communicates with an internet server on which a user account of the user is maintained, on which data relating to the household appliance is stored, and wherein the remote control and / or monitoring of the household appliance is carried out by the communication device with access to the data of the user account and via the local home network, wherein a further user account of a different user is maintained on the internet server, separate from the one user account, wherein data relating to one and the same household appliance is stored on both the one and the further user account,so that the remote control and / or remote monitoring of this household appliance is carried out optionally with access to one or the other user account.

[0005] EP 2 950 289 A1 shows a device with several switching elements.

[0006] EP 3 139 546 A1 shows a household appliance that can be controlled wirelessly.

[0007] The MyStrom AG PDF file available online: "Quick-Start for customers without a Swisscom Internet Box," August 2016 (2016-08); XP055672341, available at https: / / mystrom.ch / wp-content / uploads / 2017 / 01 / myStrom_WiFi_Switch_CH_DE.pdf, shows a socket adapter whose switching element triggers different functions depending on the duration of the activation.

[0008] DE 10 2013 200 374 A1 shows a household appliance according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0009] It is the TaskThe present invention aims to provide a household appliance, in particular a refrigeration appliance, that presents a lower security risk against spying during its operation. Furthermore, a suitable operating method for operating the household appliance is to be provided.

[0010] This object is achieved according to the features of the independent claims. Preferred embodiments can be found in particular in the dependent claims.

[0011] The object is achieved by a household appliance having at least one switching element and at least one network interface for connecting the household appliance to a local network, wherein the household appliance has exactly one switching element and can be connected to a remote control via the local network by actuating the switching element.

[0012] The household appliance has at least one switching element and at least one network interface for connecting the household appliance to a local network, wherein the household appliance - has exactly one switching element, in particular a button, and - can be connected to a remote control via the local network by actuating the switching element. According to the invention, the household appliance is set up to establish the connection to be established via the local network with a remote control as follows: a) actuating a switching element of the household appliance once, b) establishing a connection of the household appliance to a local network and then c) establishing the connection of the household appliance to the remote control via the local network, wherein in step b) the household appliance - connects directly, i.e. bypassing the local network, wirelessly to the remote control (S), then - receives access data for the local network directly wirelessly from the remote control and then - establishes a connection to the local network using the access data.

[0013] This household appliance offers the advantages of being particularly simple and inexpensive to implement, as well as allowing for a front panel that creates minimal visual disruption. Furthermore, user error can be largely eliminated, increasing user-friendliness. Furthermore, it reduces the number of customer service calls from the manufacturer or distributor of the household appliance.

[0014] One embodiment is that the household appliance is a refrigeration appliance. The refrigeration appliance can be a refrigerator, a freezer, a wine storage cabinet, etc., or a combination thereof (e.g., a refrigerator with a separate freezer compartment).

[0015] Another embodiment is for the switching element to be a button, e.g., a sensor button or a short-stroke button. A switching element can be understood, in particular, as a switching element for controlling the household appliance during operation. An on / off switch for galvanically isolating the household appliance from an electrical power supply is not considered a switching element. Alternatively, the switching element is the only switching element of the household appliance that can be directly actuated mechanically by a user.

[0016] A network interface can be installed as a module (also referred to as a communication module or COM module) in the household appliance and connected, for example, to a central control unit of the household appliance. The household appliance can also be viewed or referred to as an "internet-capable household appliance." The network interface can also be referred to as a communication interface.

[0017] At least one network interface is a wireless interface. This allows for a particularly flexible connection of remote controls to the household appliance. The household appliance can also have a wired network interface, e.g., an Ethernet interface.

[0018] Another configuration is for the local area network to be a wireless local area network. The wireless local area network can be a WLAN ("Wireless Local Area Network") or a home network. The wireless local area network can be Wi-Fi certified or Wi-Fi compliant. The household appliance can be connected to the wireless local area network wirelessly or wired.

[0019] The fact that the household appliance can be connected to the remote control via the local network by actuating the switching element can include the initiation of a connection process. The connection process can run with or without a user query.

[0020] In a further development, the remote control is a suitably configured user terminal, e.g., a user terminal also equipped with a network interface and corresponding application software. The user terminal can be, for example, a computer (desktop, laptop, etc.) or a mobile device (smartphone, tablet, etc.). The network interface of the user terminal comprises, in particular, at least one wireless interface, e.g., a WLAN interface and / or a Bluetooth interface and / or an NFC interface.

[0021] Advantageously, the process can be carried out as soon as the household appliance is connected to a power grid without any further preparation.

[0022] Another embodiment is that the household appliance is without an alphanumeric display. The fact that the household appliance is "without an alphanumeric display" means that the household appliance has no alphanumeric display, i.e., no display that can display alphanumeric characters. A further development is that the household appliance has no alphanumeric display that can display symbols. In particular, a household appliance without an alphanumeric display does not have a pixel-like screen (e.g., an LCD screen) or a segment display. This embodiment offers the advantage that the household appliance is particularly simple and inexpensive to implement and also allows for a front panel with particularly minimal visual interference.

[0023] Alternatively, the household appliance can have an alphanumeric display, in particular a screen, in particular a touchscreen. This offers the advantage that information about the connection status of the household appliance can be directly displayed to the user. If a touchscreen is present, the switching element can be designed as a touch-sensitive area of ​​the touchscreen ("touch button"). The presence of a typically pixel-based screen enables the advantage of a particularly meaningful display, e.g., the display of symbols. The alphanumeric display can also be a segment display, e.g., a seven-segment display. The presence of at least two segment displays is particularly advantageous here, as typical abbreviations for the connection status (e.g., "Cn" for "Connection," "AC" for "Automatic Connection" or WPS, "SA" for "Software Access Point," etc.) can then be displayed.can be displayed.

[0024] Another embodiment is for the switching element to be a button, and for different functions to be triggered by different button actuation patterns. This allows a wide range of functions to be achieved with a single button without compromising user convenience.

[0025] One embodiment of this is that the different actuation patterns comprise different actuation durations. For example, if the button is pressed for a period of time ]0 s; X s[, a first function can be triggered; if the button is pressed for a period of time [X s; Y s[, a second function can be triggered, etc.

[0026] Actuation patterns may additionally or alternatively include multiple consecutive actuations (e.g., a "double-click"). For example, a simple, brief actuation of the switching element can attempt to connect to the local network according to a first method (e.g., using a PBC procedure), and a double-click can attempt to connect to the local network according to a second method (e.g., using a WPS procedure).

[0027] It is also an embodiment that the different functions comprise establishing the connection of the household appliance to the remote control and additionally at least one function from the group: inverting an existing type of connection (e.g. connected or disconnected) of the household appliance to the local network and / or resetting at least one network interface of the household appliance. In particular, pressing the button for a time period ]0 s; X s[ can trigger the establishment of the connection of the household appliance to the remote control, pressing the button for a time period [X s; Y s[ can trigger the inversion of the existing type of connection, and pressing the button for a time period [Y s; ∞[ can trigger the resetting of at least one network interface. For example, X = 3 s and Y = 10 s.

[0028] Inverting the existing type of connection to the local network can be understood, in particular, as disconnecting a connection from the local network if such a connection currently exists and establishing a connection to the local network if such a connection currently does not exist. Alternatively, instead of inverting, simply disconnecting the connection to the local network can be provided.

[0029] It is also an embodiment that the household appliance has at least one indicator light or "lamp," and the switching element is assigned exactly one lamp ("status lamp"), by means of which a connection status of the household appliance can be displayed. This makes it easier for a user to check the connection status of the household appliance in a cost-effective manner. It is a further development that the lamp represents a symbol. It is a further development that the lamp is symbolless, i.e., does not represent a symbol. In particular, a lamp can be characterized in that a change in a visual impression experienced by a user results only from a change in the brightness of the light emitted by the lamp, including an on / off sequence, e.g., flashing at a predetermined frequency.

[0030] One embodiment of the invention is that the at least one lamp has at least one LED as a light source. LEDs are advantageously inexpensive and long-lasting.

[0031] A further development is that at least the status light is a color-tunable light. Thus, the color of the light emitted by the light can be used to inform the user. The status light can also flash, especially at different frequencies, including a continuous glow.

[0032] Another feature is the inclusion of an additional light to indicate an error ("error light"). In one version, the error light glows red.

[0033] Another innovation is that the appliance only features the status light and the error light. This allows for a particularly clean and high-quality appearance of the front of the appliance, as there are only three control elements (the switch, the status light, and the error light), which are also comparatively small and flush with the appliance.

[0034] It is a further development that a loudspeaker is provided for providing user information, in particular a buzzer, in particular a monotonous buzzer.

[0035] According to the invention, for the wireless connection of the household appliance to the local network, the household appliance can be connected directly wirelessly (i.e., bypassing the local network) to the remote control. Access data for the local network can then be transmitted directly from the remote control to the household appliance (i.e., via the direct wireless connection). The wireless connection of the household appliance to the local network can then be established using the received access data. This offers the advantage of high user-friendliness, since a user, for example, does not need to go to an access point.

[0036] It is a further development that the household appliance is configured to maintain the direct data connection with the remote control while the household appliance is establishing a connection to the local network and to transmit a result of the connection establishment to the local network (e.g. "successful" or "unsuccessful") to the remote control via the direct data connection.

[0037] Another development is that the household appliance is configured to transmit identifying data (e.g., a serial number) to the remote control via the direct data connection. This offers the advantage that the subsequent connection—especially the initial connection—of the household appliance to the remote control (pairing) via the local network no longer requires confirmation from the remote control and can therefore proceed automatically.

[0038] It is a further development that the household appliance is set up to automatically establish the direct data connection with the remote control.

[0039] Another development is that the household appliance is configured to receive data via the direct data connection in order to trigger at least one function assigned to the switching element. In other words, the household appliance can use this received data (e.g., a corresponding command, trigger, etc.) to trigger or execute at least one function of the switching element without having to manually actuate the switching element. This development thus corresponds to a possibility of "virtual" actuation of the switching element via a directly wirelessly connected device. A maximum timeout can be provided between the receipt of corresponding data and the triggering of the associated function.

[0040] A further embodiment provides that the household appliance can be directly connected to the remote control via the network interface, in particular a radio interface, in particular a Wi-Fi interface. This offers the advantage that the household appliance can use the same network interface both for the connection to the local network or the associated access point and for the direct data connection to the remote control. The direct data connection can, for example, be a radio connection and be established using a so-called SAP ("Soft Access Point") process, e.g., according to the so-called "Wi-Fi direct" standard.

[0041] An alternative or additional embodiment provides that the household appliance, in addition to the network interface for connecting to the local network (e.g., a WLAN interface), has a wireless short-range radio interface, and that the household appliance can be directly connected to the remote control using the wireless short-range radio interface. This can make it easier for a user to establish a connection between the household appliance and the local network. The short-range radio interface can be a WPAN ("Wireless Personal Area Network") interface. The short-range radio interface can be a Bluetooth interface, allowing a Bluetooth data connection to be established between the remote control and the household appliance. The short-range radio interface can be an NFC interface, allowing an NFC data connection to be established between the remote control and the household appliance.The direct data connection can also be an infrared connection.

[0042] The connection of the household appliance with the remote control via the local network (pairing) can occur automatically after the connection to the local network has been established, or with an intermediary user query (e.g., regarding confirmation of the connection). The connection of the household appliance with the remote control via the local network—especially the first time—can also be considered or referred to as "pairing" the household appliance and the remote control.

[0043] Pairing is a one-time process, specifically for a specific remote control. If this remote control is disconnected from the local network and then reconnected, the connection between the remote control and the household appliance is automatically reestablished.

[0044] In yet another embodiment, if the household appliance is already connected to the local network, the household appliance can be directly connected to another remote control via the wireless network by activating the switching element. In other words, in this embodiment, pairing with the other remote control is performed directly upon activating the switching element. This enables a particularly error-free and fast connection of the household appliance to the other remote control.

[0045] If the household appliance is wired to the local network, it does not need to be connected to the local network (again) by pressing the switch. However, pressing the switch can still be used for pairing with the remote control.

[0046] The object is also achieved by a method for operating a household appliance that has precisely one switching element and at least one network interface for connecting the household appliance to a local network, wherein the household appliance is connected via the local network by actuating the switching element. The method can be implemented analogously to the household appliance and has the same advantages.

[0047] The problem is further solved by the method a) activating a switching element of the household appliance once, then b) establishing a connection between the household appliance and a local network, and then c) establishing a connection between the household appliance and a remote control via the local network. The method can be implemented analogously to the household appliance and has the same advantages.

[0048] One embodiment is that in step b) the household appliance is connected to the local network via a PBC process.

[0049] The method according to the invention further comprises, in step b), directly connecting the household appliance wirelessly to the remote control, then wirelessly transmitting access data for the local network from the remote control to the household appliance, and then establishing a data connection between the household appliance and the local network using the access data. In a further development, the direct wireless connection enables the remote control to be used as an extended display of the household appliance and / or as an extended input field, particularly if the remote control has an alphanumeric display, e.g., a touchscreen. In particular, textual and / or graphical information can thus be displayed and textual information can be entered on the remote control.

[0050] In a further development, the same WLAN interface can be used both to access the local network and to set up as an access point for the direct wireless data connection with the remote control.

[0051] Furthermore, it is an embodiment that the household appliance is connected to the remote control using a different data transmission standard (e.g. via Bluetooth or via an IR connection) than to the local network (e.g. via WLAN).

[0052] Another embodiment is that the direct wireless connection between the household appliance and the remote control is maintained at least until the household appliance has transmitted a message to the remote control about whether the household appliance has successfully or unsuccessfully connected to the local network. This allows the user to be informed particularly easily and informatively about the status of the pairing of the household appliance with the local network.

[0053] It is also a further development, for example, that the household appliance is connected to another user terminal, in particular another remote control, via the local network by actuating the switching element when the household appliance is already connected to the local network.

[0054] The above-described properties, features and advantages of this invention, as well as the manner in which they are achieved, will become clearer and more clearly understood in connection with the following schematic description of an embodiment, which is explained in more detail in connection with the drawings. Fig. 1 shows a frontal view of a household appliance; and Fig. 2 shows a possible procedure for connecting the household appliance to a remote control.

[0055] Fig.1shows a refrigeration appliance in the form of a refrigerator 1. The refrigerator 1 has an upper door 2 for closing a cooling compartment (not shown) and a lower door 3 for closing a freezing compartment (not shown). Above the cooling compartment, the refrigerator 1 has a control panel 4. The control panel 4 has only three control elements, namely one switching element in the form of a button 5, a status light 6 and an error light 7. The button 5 can be a sensor button or a lift button. The status light 6 is provided to indicate a connection status of the refrigerator 1. At least the status light 6 can be operated in a flashing manner, in particular also at different frequencies. While the error light 7 lights up red, the status light 6 can light up green, for example. The light color of the status light 6 can also be varied. Lamps 6 and 7 can have LEDs as light sources or can be LEDs.

[0056] The refrigerator 1 further comprises a WLAN interface in the form of a Wi-Fi module 8 and optionally a short-range radio interface in the form of a Bluetooth module 9.

[0057] Refrigerator 1 does not have an alphanumeric display such as an LCD screen, a segment display, or similar.

[0058] By pressing button 5, the refrigerator 1 can be connected to a remote control in the form of a smartphone S via a local home network or home Wi-Fi, indicated here by an access point in the form of a router R. The smartphone S can be equipped with application software ("app") that allows remote control of the refrigerator 1, e.g., setting a cooling temperature of the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment.

[0059] The refrigerator 1 is designed in such a way that different functions can be triggered by means of different actuation durations of the button 5, namely when the button 5 is actuated for a period of time [0 s; 3 s] the connection to the smartphone S is established, when the button 5 is actuated for a period of time [3 s; 10 s] the existing type of wireless connection is inverted and when the button 5 is actuated for a period of time [10 s; ∞] the Wi-Fi module 8 and, if applicable, the Bluetooth module 9, if applicable, even the entire refrigerator 1 including its central control device (not shown).

[0060] Fig.2 shows a possible procedure for connecting the refrigerator 1 to the smartphone S.

[0061] In step S1, refrigerator 1 is connected to a power supply. Status light 6 is not activated or is off. Refrigerator 1 is not yet connected to router R.

[0062] In a second step S2, refrigerator 1 is connected to the home Wi-Fi.

[0063] To this end, in a first sub-step S2a, a process of connecting the refrigerator 1 to the router R is initiated by briefly pressing the button 5 for up to three seconds. This causes a data channel to be opened via the Wi-Fi module 8 or, if available, the Bluetooth module 9, via which the smartphone S can exchange data directly with the refrigerator 1. The status light 6 flashes at a frequency of half a Hz. If the direct data connection is via the Wi-Fi module 8, the Wi-Fi module 8 can open its own ("refrigerator") WLAN for this purpose.

[0064] In a subsequent sub-step S2b, the smartphone transmits (e.g., by means of a corresponding user query) access data (e.g., an SSID and a password) for accessing the home Wi-Fi via the direct data connection to the refrigerator 1. The refrigerator 1 can transmit a serial number or other identification to the smartphone S.

[0065] In a subsequent step S2c, refrigerator 1 attempts to establish a data connection with router R via Wi-Fi module 8 using the received access data in order to be integrated into the associated home Wi-Fi network. If this step 2c is successful, status light 6 flashes at a frequency of 1 Hz.

[0066] Step S2, or steps S2a to S2c, can be executed, in particular, according to the so-called SAP ("Soft Access Point") process when only WLAN module 8 is used or present. Alternatively, step S2 can be executed according to a PBC process in the form of a WPS ("Wi-Fi Protected Setup") process.

[0067] If the Bluetooth module 9 is used for the direct data connection between the refrigerator 1 and the smartphone S, the direct data connection can be maintained in step S2c and used, for example, to display the success or failure of the integration of the refrigerator 1 into the home WLAN on the smartphone.

[0068] In a subsequent step S3, the refrigerator 1 attempts to establish a pairing with the smartphone S via the home Wi-Fi network, either automatically or after button 5 is pressed again. If a serial number or similar was previously transferred from the refrigerator 1 to the smartphone S, user confirmation of the pairing by the smartphone S may be omitted. Otherwise, a user can authorize pairing via the smartphone S via a corresponding user query. Once steps S2 and S3 have been successfully completed, the status light 6 lights up permanently. The refrigerator 1 can now be remotely controlled and, if necessary, monitored using the Wi-Fi-enabled smartphone S.

[0069] If another user device, e.g. another smartphone or other mobile device (not shown), is to be connected to the refrigerator 1, in a further step S4 - with a Wi-Fi connection to the home Wi-Fi network or to the router R then existing - the button 5 can be pressed again briefly for up to three seconds. A pairing process analogous to step S3 then takes place to carry out the pairing with the additional user device, e.g. for up to two minutes. During this renewed pairing, the status light 6 can flash again, e.g., at a frequency of half a Hz. The additional user device can also be designed or provided as a remote control.

[0070] If button 5 is pressed and held for a medium period between three and ten seconds, the data connection to the home Wi-Fi network is inverted. This means that an existing data connection to the home Wi-Fi network is disconnected. When the data connection is disconnected, status light 6 is off. Pressing button 5 again for a medium period re-establishes the data connection to the home Wi-Fi network or router R.

[0071] If button 5 is pressed for a long time (i.e., ten seconds or longer), the Wi-Fi module 8 and—if present—the Bluetooth module 9 are reset to the factory settings. These may correspond to a state after step S1.

[0072] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment shown.

[0073] In general, "a", "an", etc., can be understood as a singular or a plural, in particular in the sense of "at least one" or "one or more", etc., unless this is explicitly excluded, e.g. by the expression "exactly one", etc.

[0074] A numerical value may also include the exact number stated as well as a usual tolerance range, as long as this is not explicitly excluded. List of reference symbols

[0075] 1Refrigerator 2Upper door 3Lower door 4Control panel 5Button 6Status light 7Error light 8Wi-Fi module 9Bluetooth module RRouter SSmartphone S1-S4Procedure steps S1a-S1cSubsteps of process step S2

Claims

1. Household appliance (1), in particular refrigeration appliance, having - at least one switching element (5) and - at least one network interface (8), in particular radio interface, for connecting the household appliance (1) to a local network (R), wherein the household appliance (1) - has exactly one switching element (5), in particular a button, and - is able to be connected to a remote control (S) via the local network (R) by means of an actuation of the switching element (5), characterised in that the household appliance (1) is configured to establish the connection, which is to be established via the local network (R) with a remote control (S), using the remote control (S), as follows: a) one-time actuation (S2a) of a switching element (5) of the household appliance (1), b) establishing (S2c) of a connection of the household appliance (1) to a local network (R) and then c) establishing (S3) of the connection of the household appliance (1) to the remote control (S) via the local network (R), wherein the household appliance (1), in step b), - directly wirelessly connects to the remote control (S), i.e. by bypassing the local network (R), then - directly wirelessly receives (S2b) access data for the local network (R) from the remote control (S), and then - establishes (S2c) a connection to the local network (R) by means of the access data.

2. Household appliance (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the household appliance (1) is without an alphanumeric display.

3. Household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the switching element (5) is a button and different functions are able to be triggered by means of different actuation patterns of the switching element (5).

4. Household appliance (1) according to claim 3, characterised in that the different actuation patterns comprise different actuation durations.

5. Household appliance (1) according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterised in that the different functions comprise establishing the connection of the household appliance (2) to the remote control (S) and additionally at least one function from the group - inverting an existing type of connection of the household appliance (1) to the local network, namely disconnecting the connection from the local network, if such a connection currently exists, and establishing the connection to the local network, if no such connection currently exists, and / or - resetting at least one network interface (1) of the household appliance (1).

6. Household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the household appliance (1) has at least one light (8, 9) and the switching element (5) is allocated a light (8), by means of which a connection status of the household appliance (1) is able to be displayed.

7. Household appliance (1) according to claim 6, characterised in that the light (8) has at least one LED as a light source and is able to be tuned with regard to its colour.

8. Household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the network interface (8) is a WLAN interface and the household appliance (1) is able to be directly connected to the remote control (S) by means of the WLAN interface.

9. Household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the household appliance (1) additionally has a wireless close-range radio interface (9) and the household appliance (1) is able to be directly connected to the remote control (S) by means of the wireless close-range radio interface (9).

10. Household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that, in the case of an already established connection of the household appliance (1) to the local network (R), the household appliance (1) is able to be connected to a further user terminal, in particular a further remote control, via the local network (R) by means of an actuation of the switching element (5).

11. Method for operating a household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that in the method a) a switching element (5) of the household appliance (1) is actuated (S2a) one time, thus b) a connection of the household appliance (1) to a local network (R) is established (S2c) and then c) a connection of the household appliance (1) to a remote control (S) is established (S3) via the local network (R), characterised in that, in step b), - the household appliance (1) is connected to the remote control (S) directly wirelessly, i.e. by bypassing the local network (R), then - access data for the local network (R) is transmitted (S2b) from the remote control (S) to the household appliance (1) directly wirelessly, and then - a connection of the household appliance (1) to the local network (R) is established (S2c) by means of the access data.

12. Method (1) according to claim 11, characterised in that the household appliance (1) is directly connected to the remote control (S) by means of a different data transmission standard compared to the connection via the local network (R).

13. Method (1) according to claim 11 or 12, characterised in that the direct wireless connection between the household appliance (1) and the remote control (S) is maintained for at least until the household appliance (1) has transmitted a notification, relating to a successful or unsuccessful establishing of the connection of the household appliance (1) to the local network (R), to the remote control (S) via said direct wireless connection.