GARDEN APPLIANCE WITH LONG-RANGE RADIO INTERFACE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a cooking appliance comprising a short-range radio interface, a control unit for operating the cooking appliance configured to receive data for operating the cooking appliance from a transponder via the short-range radio interface, and at least one positioning surface for arranging at least one transponder located within the communication range of the short-range radio interface. The invention also relates to a mechanically actuated control element of a cooking appliance. The invention further relates to a method for operating a cooking appliance. The invention is particularly advantageously applicable to cooking appliances that include an oven or are themselves an oven.

[0002] DE 10 2008 041 394 A1 discloses that a contactless readable identification mark is equipped with data about a product stored on it, wherein the data includes at least one sales information about the distribution of the product and at least one product information about a type and / or treatment of the product. The sales information is stored unencoded, and the product information is stored encoded. A household appliance is configured to display read sales information unencoded on the display unit and to control the treatment process based on read encoded product information. A method for this purpose comprises the step of displaying sales information about the distribution of the product contained in the read data in plain text on a display unit, as well as the step of controlling a treatment process based on encoded product information contained in the read data.

[0003] EP 0 986 240 B1 discloses a household appliance with a primary household function of "cooking, defrosting or freezing", but which is equipped for a secondary function of "interaction" with a communication network, wherein the appliance comprises a user interface operable by direct contact with the appliance and a remote control device operable by a remote control handset, wherein activating or deactivating the primary function of the appliance is reserved for the user interface, and wherein the remote control device is capable of controlling the secondary function and also part of the primary function of the appliance, but is not capable of activating or deactivating the primary function.

[0004] DE 10 2012 101 536 B3 relates to a household appliance comprising a front panel and / or housing, and a control unit for operating the household appliance, with a communication device including means for data transmission and for establishing a functional connection with a mobile device having an operating and display unit. To facilitate convenient handling of the mobile device, the household appliance includes a holding device that is hinged to extend from the outer surface of the front panel or a housing wall, and which is suitable for positioning or fixing the mobile device within the effective range of the means for data transmission on the front panel or housing.

[0005] WO 2009 153 708 A1 discloses a programming system for programming an interactive system. It comprises a tag control assembly with a smart tag communication interface and a set of individual smart tags, each having a control assembly communication interface, an assignment interface for assigning functional properties, and a display for showing information concerning the functional properties. The programming system is implemented such that a control sequence for the interactive system is based on the functional properties assigned to the smart tags during a programming session. Furthermore, a method for programming an interactive system, a smart tag, a set of smart tags, a tag control assembly, an interactive system, the use of a smart tag for programming an interactive system, and a computer program product are described.

[0006] DE 10 2006 039 926 A1 discloses a household appliance comprising a reader and at least one information card, wherein the information card contains a code arrangement that is readable by the reader and serves to control the household appliance. The code arrangement consists of conductive organic polymers.

[0007] US 7,258,064 B2 discloses a food time control system comprising a number of time control modules assigned to food storage devices in a restaurant. The time control modules are networked to communicate information about food located in the food receiving compartments of the food storage devices. Each time control module contains a plurality of timers, each timer being assigned to a food receiving compartment of a food storage device. The timers measure the storage time of the food in each food receiving compartment and are able to transmit the storage time to another timer when food is added to a food receiving compartment assigned to a different timer.

[0008] DE 10 2012 210855 A1 discloses a control unit for a household appliance and a household appliance therewith, wherein the control unit is equipped with a short-range radio interface for operating the household appliance.

[0009] The object of the present invention is to overcome at least some of the disadvantages of the prior art and in particular to provide a cooking appliance with an oven that enables improved, and in particular safer, operation.

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

[0011] The problem is solved by a cooking appliance comprising a short-range radio interface, a control unit for operating the cooking appliance which is configured to receive data for operating the cooking appliance from a transponder via the short-range radio interface, and at least one surface (hereinafter referred to without limitation of generality as an "active positioning surface") for the detachable attachment of at least one transponder, which is located in a communication range of the short-range radio interface, wherein the control unit is configured to receive authorization data from the transponder via the short-range radio interface and to operate the cooking appliance with corresponding user authorizations on the basis of the authorization data.

[0012] This cooking appliance offers the advantage of exceptionally easy customization of its operation, adapting it to the specific abilities and needs of individual users. Specifically, users can be assigned transponders that either allow unrestricted operation of the appliance or, for example, restrict it (e.g., for children or adults at risk of dementia). To configure the appliance's operation, the corresponding transponder simply needs to be within the communication range of the short-range radio interface, particularly attached to the active positioning surface.

[0013] It is a design feature that the cooking appliance includes an oven or is itself an oven. The cooking appliance can be a standalone oven or an oven / hob combination or range. The oven can have a steam function and / or a microwave function.

[0014] It is further clarification that a cooking appliance is a household cooking appliance, specifically a kitchen appliance. A cooking appliance is specifically an electrically powered cooking appliance.

[0015] A transponder can be understood, in particular, as a radio communication device that receives signals from the short-range radio interface of the cooking appliance and automatically responds. It can therefore communicate with the short-range radio interface of the cooking appliance. The transponder can be a passive transponder or an active transponder. The transponder can be an RFID transponder.

[0016] The short-range radio interface can be configured, for example, as a radio receiver or as a combined radio transmitter / receiver. The short-range radio interface can also be configured as an RFID reader.

[0017] The short-range radio interface may have a range of no more than approximately 10 cm. This effectively prevents unwanted interference with the cooking appliance from different transponders or communication with transponders located further away.

[0018] The short-range radio interface can be, in particular, an NFC interface and thus be configured for communication with the transponder according to the NFC standard. The transponder is then an NFC transponder.

[0019] The communication area of ​​the short-range radio interface is the area in front of the cooking appliance where a transponder can typically communicate with the short-range radio interface. This area is defined by the range of the short-range radio interface.

[0020] The control unit can be configured, e.g., programmed, to execute cooking processes on the cooking appliance, in particular cooking programs. The control unit can be coupled with an operating unit to receive user input and output user information, e.g., about cooking times, current settings, etc. The control unit is also coupled with the short-range radio interface to receive data. The control unit can include at least one integrated circuit such as a microprocessor, microcontroller, ASIC, FPGA, etc.

[0021] The term "releasable attachment" can be understood to mean, in particular, that the transponder can be securely held, attached, or snapped onto the cooking appliance. The term "releasable attachment" should specifically not be understood to mean that the transponder is simply placed on, mounted on, or inserted into the cooking appliance.

[0022] It is generally a configuration in which the control unit is set up to operate the cooking appliance with restricted functions and / or parameters based on authorization data. According to the invention, authorization data can therefore be understood, in particular, as data by means of which the control unit can lock or unlock certain functions and / or parameters of the cooking appliance. Locking a function or parameter can include or mean restricting the function or parameter, e.g., to a limited value range. Operating the cooking appliance with corresponding user authorizations can therefore, in particular, mean being able to operate the cooking appliance only with unlocked or unlocked functions and / or parameters. This configuration allows for the establishment of a particularly diverse range of user authorizations.

[0023] The functions can be specific cooking programs and / or cooking functions. The parameters might be specific heating or cooking parameters. For example, a user's access data might stipulate that they are only allowed to run certain cooking programs, such as reheating programs, and / or set an oven temperature of no more than 80°C. Alternatively or additionally, the functions can include non-cooking programs such as pyrolytic self-cleaning, transponder programming (as described in more detail below), timer settings, etc. For example, pyrolytic self-cleaning can be disabled for children.

[0024] One further feature is that the control unit is configured to operate the cooking appliance only when the transponder is within the communication range of the short-range radio interface. This prevents a user without a transponder from operating the cooking appliance and thereby potentially circumventing restricted permissions.

[0025] Alternatively, the control unit can be configured to operate the cooking appliance with restricted access rights only when no transponder is within the communication range of the short-range radio interface. A transponder can then selectively enable the set of otherwise blocked functions and / or operating parameters, according to the authorization data received by the transponder. However, the control unit can also be configured to operate the cooking appliance independently of received authorization data, thus disabling the option of restricted operation.

[0026] Another embodiment involves the control unit being configured to program the transponder via the short-range radio interface. This offers the advantage that a user can at least partially determine the content that can be read from the transponders. The transponder is designed to be programmable via the short-range radio interface for this purpose. This embodiment can be considered an independent solution to the problem, which can also constitute an invention independently of any authorization function or authorization process.

[0027] It is a further development step that the control unit is configured to require a password for programming a transponder, for example, via user input at an input device, such as a touchscreen or keypad on the cooking appliance. The password can, for example, be supplied with the cooking appliance. Alternatively or additionally, the control unit can be configured to require the presence of another transponder within the communication range of the short-range radio interface for programming a transponder, or to assume which other transponder can authorize such programming or transmit authorization data for programming a transponder to the cooking appliance.

[0028] Another feature is that the control unit is configured to program the transponder with authorization data selected on the cooking appliance. This allows a user to assign transponders with individually configured permissions to other users and / or modify their permissions. The control unit can also be configured to enable and perform transponder programming via a menu-driven interface. This allows a user to easily select which content is uploaded to and / or deleted from the transponder.

[0029] It is a further development feature that the control unit is configured to program the transponder with non-authorized data, such as cooking programs or recipes. This makes exchanging recipes between different users particularly easy. For example, if a user has made a particularly successful adaptation of a pre-programmed recipe or program sequence, or has created a new recipe or program sequence, they can program this recipe or program sequence onto the transponder and transfer it to another cooking appliance, for example, at a friend's house, in a cooking group, etc. A transponder can also be programmed with cooking programs or recipes at the factory or by a third-party provider and sent to users. This allows, for example, a publisher of a cooking magazine or cookbook, etc., to...releases a product, programs a transponder and sends it to interested users, for example as part of a promotional campaign.

[0030] In principle, the transponder can be programmable by a user with authorization data and also contain data that cannot be programmed by the user. This non-programmable data can be read or queried by the cooking appliance, but cannot be reprogrammed by an end user. The transponder thus has a read-only or retrieval-only function. This can be implemented by having the transponder configured accordingly by the issuing entity (e.g., a kitchen appliance manufacturer, a cooking studio, a magazine, etc.).

[0031] It is further information that the transponder contains only readable, non-programmable data. This data may include, at least in part, authorization data.

[0032] The transponder can have virtually any shape, for example, an RFID structure encased or embedded in a plastic volume. The transponder, and especially its plastic volume, can take a symbolic form, such as a bell pepper for a transponder pre-programmed with vegetable recipes, a lettuce for a transponder pre-programmed with raw food recipes, a fish for a transponder programmed with fish recipes, and so on. A transponder can also be in the form of a company logo, a slogan, etc., for advertising purposes. Furthermore, the transponder can be in the form of a name or family name, such as "Mom," "Grandma," "Helen," "Anne," etc.

[0033] Furthermore, one embodiment involves the transponder being a detachable, mechanically operated control element. This allows for the provision of a control element to which individual authorizations for operating the cooking appliance are assigned. This eliminates the need for separate transponders. Such a transponder can also be considered a multifunctional control element for a cooking appliance. A mechanically operated control element can be mechanically actuated or moved by a user.

[0034] It is also possible for the mechanically actuated transponder to be a rotary knob. This has the advantage of allowing for a wide range of operating functions in a small space. A further development is a magnetically detachable rotary knob. This has the advantage of being rotatable without any additional measures. In one variant, the rotary knob can also be moved laterally, e.g., like a slider, to trigger associated functions. The cooking appliance can detect the position, in particular the angular position and / or a change in the angular position or rotation, of the rotary knob, especially magnetically, for example, using at least one Hall sensor. Alternatively, a mechanically actuated control element could be, for example, a slider. A push button or a touchscreen, in particular, might not constitute a mechanically actuated control element.

[0035] Alternatively or additionally, the rotary knob can be mechanically detachable, for example, on a clamping device or locking mechanism of the cooking appliance. The rotary knob can also be connected to the rest of the cooking appliance, for example, via a pin.

[0036] The transponder described above can be considered part of the cooking appliance, particularly if it also functions as a control element. However, the transponder described above can also be considered an independent device that autonomously performs the task at hand. The task can therefore also be accomplished, in particular, by a mechanically actuated control element of a cooking appliance, where the control element is designed as a transponder that communicates with the short-range radio interface of the cooking appliance and can send authorization data for operating the cooking appliance, along with the corresponding usage rights, to the cooking appliance.

[0037] One design feature is that the active positioning surface is a magnetically effective mounting surface. This allows a magnetically effective transponder to be detachably attached to the active positioning surface. This offers the advantage that the active positioning surface can be flat and therefore, in particular, free of protrusions, recesses, hooks, edges, etc. Attaching the transponder is also exceptionally easy. Furthermore, the transponder can be moved, for example, rotated or moved laterally.

[0038] It is a further development that the active positioning surface has at least one magnet, e.g., at least one permanent magnet or electromagnet. Alternatively, it can have at least one magnetically attractive, but not itself permanent magnetic, material, e.g., iron. It can, for example, be designed as a steel or iron plate or have such a plate. To establish a magnetic attraction with the active positioning surface, the transponder can have at least one permanent magnet, or alternatively or additionally, at least one non-permanent magnetic volume made of magnetizable material, e.g., iron, steel, etc.

[0039] Furthermore, one design feature is that the cooking appliance has a passive mounting surface for the detachable attachment of transponders, located outside the communication range of the short-range radio interface. This passive mounting surface – which, analogous to the active mounting surface, can be magnetic – allows for the simple storage of currently unused transponders, thus preventing them from being misplaced.

[0040] The active mounting surface and the passive mounting surface can be located on opposite sides of a control area of ​​the cooking appliance, e.g., to the left and right of it, respectively. The control area can include one or more touch-sensitive screens or "touchscreens" and / or one or more switches (mechanical switches such as short-stroke switches, rotary knobs, etc.).

[0041] The active mounting surface and, if applicable, the passive mounting surface can represent areas of a control panel. The control panel can be a stationary control panel. Alternatively, the control panel can represent part of a cooking appliance door.

[0042] It is a particularly advantageous embodiment of the cooking appliance, especially when the transponder is designed as a rotary knob, that the active positioning surface is a front surface, the cooking appliance has a front-mounted screen, and the transponder, when attached to the active positioning surface, partially covers the screen. This provides a particularly space-saving arrangement that enables user-friendly device control and / or settings. The transponder can be attached, for example, to the top edge, bottom edge, left edge, and / or right edge of the screen, and in particular, it can be magnetically attached. The transponder may only be attached to the area of ​​the cooking appliance, especially its control panel, that is located outside the screen.

[0043] The problem is further solved by a method for operating a cooking appliance, in particular as described above, in which a transponder is placed within the communication range of a short-range radio interface of the cooking appliance, then authorization data is transmitted from the transponder to the cooking appliance via the short-range radio interface, and a control unit uses this authorization data to operate the cooking appliance with the appropriate user permissions. The method can be designed analogously to the devices described above and offers the same advantages.

[0044] One design involves transferring a transponder detachably attached to a passive mounting surface to the active mounting surface, where data communication takes place between the transponder and the short-range radio interface of the cooking appliance, and then the transponder is transferred back to the passive mounting surface.

[0045] The properties, features and advantages of this invention described above, as well as the manner in which they are achieved, will become clearer and more easily understood in connection with the following schematic description of an exemplary embodiment, which will be explained in more detail in conjunction with the drawings. Fig. 1 shows a front view of a cooking appliance according to a first embodiment with transponders arranged on it; and Fig. 2 shows a front view of a cooking appliance according to a second embodiment with a transponder arranged on it.

[0046] Fig. 1The front view shows a cooking appliance in the form of an oven 1 with several transponders T1, T2, and T3 attached to it. The oven 1 can be connected to a cooktop at the top, thus forming a range. The oven 1 has a stationary front control panel 2, below which is a front door 3 that closes the oven cavity. The control panel 2 has a touch-sensitive screen 4 in the center, serving as both a control and display element.

[0047] The oven 1 has an NFC interface 5 and a control unit 6 for operating the oven 1 on its control panel 2. The control unit 6 is configured, among other things, to receive data for operating the oven 1 via the NFC interface 5 from a transponder T1, T2, or T3, specifically from the transponder T1 (shaped like the word "Mama") located on a front-facing active mounting surface 7 ("NFC active zone") of the control panel 2. The active mounting surface 7 is located within a communication area 8 of the NFC interface 5, which here corresponds at least approximately to a front surface of the NFC interface 5, but can also be larger than this surface. Consequently, the transponder T1 can be queried by the NFC interface 5. The transponder T1 is, in particular, a passive transponder, such as an RFID tag.

[0048] The transponder T1 is configured to transmit authorization data to the NFC interface 5. The control unit 6 is configured to use the authorization data received from the transponder T1 via the short-range radio interface 5 to operate the oven 1 (and, if applicable, the cooktop) with the appropriate user permissions. The control unit 6 is configured to operate the oven 1 only when a transponder T1 to T3 is within the communication range 8 of the NFC interface 5.

[0049] Transponders T1 to T3 have permanent magnetic areas that allow them to be magnetically attached to the active mounting surface 7. To operate oven 1 with a specific set of permissions, a correspondingly programmed or configured transponder T1 to T3 is placed on the active mounting surface 7. For example, transponder T1 may contain permission data that permits unrestricted operation of oven 1. Transponder T2, which here is shaped like the word "Grandma," may only permit limited operation of oven 1, such as a warming-up mode. Transponders T1 and T2 cannot be used simultaneously. Transponder T3 does not contain any permission data, but rather, for example, vegetable recipes, and is accordingly symbolically shaped.Transponder T3 can be operated together with the other transponders T1 or T2 and can be magnetically attached together with them to the active mounting surface 7.

[0050] Currently unused transponders T2 and T3 can be magnetically and therefore detachably attached to a passive mounting surface 9 ("NFC passive zone"). The passive mounting surface 9 is located outside the communication area 8, so the oven 1 cannot query the transponders T2 and T3 located there. While the passive mounting surface 9 is located to the left of the touchscreen 4 in the front view, the active mounting surface 7 is located symmetrically to the right of the touchscreen 4.

[0051] If a transponder T1 to T3 is located on the active mounting surface 7, it can be programmed using the oven 1, provided the oven is appropriately configured, via the control unit 6 and the short-range radio interface 5. Programming can be done, for example, via a menu-driven interface on the touchscreen 4. The transponders T1 to T3 can be programmed with authorization data and / or cooking parameters or recipes, etc. However, it is also possible that the authorization data stored on transponder T1 as the "master" cannot be changed or reprogrammed. Transponder T3 may not be programmed with authorization data, but it can be programmed with cooking recipes, etc. Alternatively, neither transponder T1 and / or transponder T3 may be programmable.

[0052] Fig. 2Figure 1 shows a front view of an oven 11, similarly designed to oven 1, with a transponder T4 attached to it in several possible, alternative positions. The transponder T4 is designed as a magnetically attached rotary knob. The oven 11 can detect at least one rotation of the transponder T4 and treat it as a user input.

[0053] An NFC interface 12, or rather its communication area 13, extends in a U-shape along the sides and underside of the touch-sensitive screen 4. Three active mounting surfaces 14 border the touch-sensitive screen 4: one at its lower edge, one at its left edge, and one at its right edge. The transponder T4 can be attached to the control panel 15 at these points, partially covering the touch-sensitive screen 4. A passive mounting surface may be provided, but is not required.

[0054] The T4 transponder can also be understood as a magnetically attachable rotary knob that functions as a transponder. Using this transponder function, it can, for example, instruct the control unit 6 to grant unrestricted or restricted use of the oven 1 based on queried authorization data. Different T4 transponders can thus be assigned to different users with different access rights. If no T4 transponder is present, the oven 11 is switched off.

[0055] The T4 transponder may also be programmable, for example with authorization data. An oven model 11 may be delivered with several T4 transponders, all or some of which may be programmable with authorization data.

[0056] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment shown.

[0057] The communication area can therefore have a different shape than the NFC interface, and in particular be considerably larger.

[0058] In general, "ein", "eine", etc. can be understood to mean singular or plural, especially 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.

[0059] A numerical specification can also include exactly the specified number as well as a normal tolerance range, unless this is explicitly excluded. Reference symbol list

[0060] 1 Oven 2 Control panel 3 Door 4 Touch-sensitive screen 5 NFC interface 6 Control unit 7 Active mounting area 8 Communication area 9 Passive mounting area 11 Oven 12 NFC interface 13 Communication area 14 Active mounting area 15 Control panel T1-T4 Transponder

Claims

1. Cooking appliance (1; 11), having an operating element, - a short-range radio interface (5; 12), - a control device (6) for operating the cooking appliance (1; 11), which is designed to receive data for operating the cooking appliance (1; 11) from a transponder (T1-T3; T4) by way of the short-range radio interface (5; 12), and - at least one active positioning surface (7; 14) for the detachable fastening of at least one transponder (T1-T3; T4), which is located in a communication region (8; 13) of the short-range radio interface (5; 12), characterised in that - the control device (6) is designed to receive authorization data from the transponder (T1, T2; T4) by way of the short-range radio interface (5; 12), by means of which authorization data the control device (6) can block or release specific functions and / or parameters of the cooking appliance (1; 11) and to operate the cooking appliance (1; 11) with corresponding use authorizations with restricted functions and / or operating parameters based on the authorization data.

2. Cooking appliance (1; 11) according to claim 1, characterised in that the blockage of a parameter comprises a restriction of a value range of the parameter.

3. Cooking appliance (1; 11) according to claim 2, characterised in that the parameter is a temperature and the restriction comprises a predetermination of a maximum temperature.

4. Cooking appliance (1; 11) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the blockage comprises a function that the control device (6) only permits a running of non-blocked cooking programs and / or cooking functions.

5. Cooking appliance (1; 11) according to claim 4, characterised in that the blockage of a function comprises a blockage of a pyrolytic self-cleaning process.

6. Cooking appliance (1; 11) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the control device (6) is designed to operate the cooking appliance (1; 11) only when the transponder (T1, T2; T4) is located in the communication region (8; 13) of the short-range radio interface (5; 12).

7. Cooking appliance (1; 11) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the control device (6) is designed to program the transponder (T1-T3; T4) by way of the short-range radio interface (5; 12).

8. Cooking appliance (1; 11) according to claim 7, characterised in that the control device (6) is designed to program the transponder (T2; T4) with authorization data selected on the cooking appliance (1; 11).

9. Cooking appliance (1; 11) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the cooking appliance (1; 11) has a passive fastening surface (9) for the detachable fastening of transponders (T1-T3; T4) located outside the communication region (8; 13) of the short-range radio interface (5; 12).

10. Cooking appliance (1; 11) according to claim 9, characterised in that the active positioning surface is a front surface, the cooking appliance (1; 11) has a screen arranged at the front and the rotary knob partially conceals the screen when fastened to the active positioning surface.

11. Cooking appliance (1; 11) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the cooking appliance (1; 11) has an oven or is an oven.

12. Cooking appliance according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the transponder (T1-T3; T4) is a passive RFID transponder.

13. Method for operating a cooking appliance (1; 11) according to one of the preceding claims, in which - a transponder (T1, T2; T4) is brought into a communication region (8; 13) of a short-range radio interface (5; 12) of the cooking appliance (1; 11), - authorization data is transmitted from the transponder (T1, T2; T4) to the cooking appliance (1; 11) by way of the short-range radio interface (5; 12), by means of which authorization data specific functions and / or parameters of the cooking appliance (1; 11) can be blocked or released, and - a control device (6) uses said authorization data to operate the cooking appliance (1; 11) with corresponding use authorizations with restricted functions and / or operating parameters.

14. Method according to claim 13, in which - a transponder (T1-T3; T4) fastened in a detachable manner to a passive fastening surface (9) is moved to an active contact surface (7; 14), - data communication is performed there between the transponder (T1-T3; T4) and the short-range radio interface (5; 12) of the cooking appliance (1; 11) and - the transponder (T1-T3; T4) is then moved back to the passive fastening surface (9).