SANITARY FACILITY OF A BUILDING

Description

[0001] The present invention relates, as specified in the preamble of claim 1, to a sanitary room of a building, comprising a person's access, at least one sanitary station, a lighting device, and a sound device, wherein the sanitary station comprises a sanitary device with a cold water inlet, a hot water inlet, at least one water outlet, and a metering and mixing valve unit, which is suitable for influencing the total flow rate through the water outlet and the ratio of the cold water portion to the hot water portion to each other in the total flow rate, and wherein a programmable electronic control acts on the metering and mixing valve unit, the lighting device, and the sound device, wherein the programmable electronic control includes a water program memory suitable for the recallable storage of several different water dispensing programs.a lighting program memory suitable for the recallable storage of several different lighting programs, a sound program memory suitable for the recallable storage of several different sound programs, and at least one data processing unit which actuates at least one actuator of the dosing and mixing valve unit, at least one light source controller, and at least one sound generator, wherein the sanitary station further comprises a device user interface assigned to the sanitary installation which enables the selection of the water dispensing program as well as the manual modification of the selected water dispensing program.

[0002] Patent literature has long dealt with program-controlled sanitary installations, in particular program-controlled showers. Reference should be made, for example, to DE 197 02 358 A1, EP 3 705 642 A1, US 2017 / 0350103 A1, EP 3 088 613 A1, US 9,085,881 B2, US Re. 35,018 E, US 4,563,780 A, US 4,756,030 A, DE 10 2016 104 793 B4, US 10,745,893 B2 and EP 2 649 246 B1. The electronic control unit comprises a program memory suitable for storing several different water dispensing programs (shower programs) and a central data processing unit, which, according to the selected water dispensing program, acts on at least one actuator that operates the dosing and mixing valve unit. The selection of the shower program to be executed should be possible manually or semi- or fully automatically (e.g., by incorporating automatic user identity recognition or user status recognition). Partially (see...in particular EP 3 705 642 A1) the called water delivery program should take into account or vary further parameters, such as different lighting effects, music playable at the shower location, other acoustics and / or videos and / or fragrance effects available at the shower location, etc.

[0003] The previously identified DE 10 2016 104 793 A1 discloses a sanitary room of the generic type, comprising a wet cell. A control module is provided on the side of a freestanding boundary wall of the wet cell facing away from the wet area. This module allows control of water temperature, water distribution, drying function, audio and / or visual media, lighting, odor, and / or temperature. The control module has a front area facing the interior of the wet area with at least one interaction area, in particular in the form of a touchscreen or GUI with a plurality of graphical buttons. User profiles can be stored in the control module.

[0004] Special user interfaces for operating program-controlled sanitary installations or their associated electronic control units are also the subject of patent literature (see, for example, US 2008 / 0259056 A1, US 2013 / 0170839 A1, US 2015 / 0218784 A1 and WO 2011 / 094455 A1). WO 2008 / 130349 A1 also discloses a user interface for controlling a sanitary installation. This interface has a front panel through which a display is visible. This display includes buttons and a display area on which information is shown to the user of the sanitary installation. A base is attached to the front panel, on which a selection ring, used in particular for program selection, is rotatably mounted.

[0005] DE 10 2017 105 187 A1 discloses a sanitary system with at least one sanitary fixture and a communication unit that can be connected to it via data transmission and which has a plurality of interfaces for communication with a plurality of different operating devices. The communication unit can also be configured to additionally specify or monitor the operation of at least one building technology electronic component.

[0006] US Patent 8,028,355 B2 discloses an integrated electronic system for bathrooms, comprising multiple sensors that detect bathroom conditions and communicate corresponding signals to a control unit. Various sanitary fixtures, such as showers, bathtubs, sinks, etc., can be connected to the system, each with user interfaces that include memory for user-defined settings and controls for program selection and customization.

[0007] US Patent 2004 / 0204779 A1 discloses a user interface for operating a sanitary installation, in particular a whirlpool. This interface includes a selector switch adjustable to several positions, which allows the user to choose the operating parameter or function of the sanitary installation. By operating the control elements, the user can change the value of the selected operating parameter or function, or completely switch the function on or off.

[0008] The fact that sanitary facilities of this type have not yet achieved widespread use in practice, even though program-controlled sanitary installations or sanitary stations comprising such installations were described well over twenty years ago, and a steadily increasing need for comfort has been observed within the target population group for just as long, can be explained by the lack of truly practical solutions. The main objective of the present invention is to remedy this situation. In other words, it aims to provide a sanitary facility of this type that meets the highest comfort standards while simultaneously satisfying other practical requirements, particularly those relating to handling and use.

[0009] This problem is solved by the sanitary room according to claim 1. The sanitary room according to the invention is thus characterized, in addition to the generic features set out at the beginning, by the following combination of features that interact synergistically with these and with each other: Adjacent to the pedestrian entrance, a room user interface is provided that allows the selection of the lighting program and the sound program, as well as the manual modification of the selected lighting program and the selected sound program.

[0010] Accordingly, one of the characteristic features of the sanitary room according to the invention is that, although the at least one sanitary unit of the sanitary station, the lighting device of the sanitary room and the sound device of the sanitary room are controlled by means of a (common) electronic control, at least two spatially separate user interfaces that differ in terms of their functionality are provided.A room user interface located adjacent to the person access point allows the selection of a lighting program stored in the lighting program memory and a sound program stored in the sound program memory – typically with each lighting and sound program linked together to form a scene program and thus able to be called up together as a specific scene – as well as the manual modification of the selected lighting program and the selected sound program (or...of the combined scenery program), for example, by individually modifying the brightness of the lighting device and the volume of the sound emitted by the sound device; in contrast, a device user interface of the sanitary station, associated with the sanitary facility, enables the selection of a water dispensing program as well as the manual modification of the selected water dispensing program, for example, by individually modifying the temperature and flow rate. The present invention thus pursues an approach that differs fundamentally from the prior art described above, resulting in significantly increased practical suitability.

[0011] The sanitary room according to the invention and its associated advantages, in particular its unprecedented high level of user-friendliness, are thus determined by a characteristic combination of interacting structural and control-related features. Where not explicitly stated, the control-related features referred to below also specify the corresponding configuration of the programmable electronic control unit. Aspects relevant to the excellent user-friendliness include ease of operation, which is intuitive, combined with high flexibility and – according to preferred embodiments – outstanding interaction with the user as a result of the feedback provided to the user according to the invention.With regard to these and other advantageous effects and aspects of sanitary facilities according to the invention, reference is made to the following description, in particular also to the presentation of preferred further developments and embodiments as well as the explanation of the preferred embodiment illustrated in drawings.

[0012] A very attractive aspect of the invention with regard to user-friendliness and user comfort is that, on the one hand, a functional subdivision takes place within the electronic control system – in the sense of specifying the parameters relating to the sanitary room in a broader sense (such as the lighting and sound situation) via the room user interface positioned next to the access point and specifying the parameters relating to the sanitary facility (such as the water dispensing) via the device user interface forming part of the sanitary station – but, as a result of the system networking – in the case of a corresponding design of the electronic control system – it is also possible to influence the lighting and sound situation (as well as other room parameters, if applicable) via the program selection made at the device user interface.According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least some of the water dispensing programs are linked to lighting and / or sound program elements that can be individually adjusted to the respective programmed water dispensing. From a control engineering perspective, it is particularly preferred that, in the event of a collision between lighting and / or sound program elements called via the room user interface and those called via the device user interface (e.g., as part of a water dispensing program), the elements called last in time have priority and are executed; thus, prioritization here is not based on the user interface used for the input, but solely on the order of the input. According to an alternative embodiment, however, it can also be provided from a control engineering perspective that the device user interface (or...Settings made via the device user interface take precedence over those made via the room user interface. In this case, if lighting and / or sound program elements accessed via the room user interface conflict with those accessed via the device user interface (e.g., as part of a water dispensing program), the latter would have priority and be executed. Settings or program specifications made via the device user interface would therefore override those made via the room user interface.

[0013] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the sanitary room comprises at least one heating device, wherein the electronic control has a heating program memory suitable for storing several different heating programs and the room user interface is configured to enable the selection of a heating program. Within the scope of this entire application, the terms "heating device" and "heating programs" are to be understood comprehensively in the sense of room temperature control, i.e., broadly enough that room cooling can also be achieved by means of the heating device according to a corresponding cooling program. Preferably, the room user interface also allows manual modification of the selected heating program, for example, by individually manually modifying the temperature setting.

[0014] The room user interface preferably includes a display, at least one section of which changes its color depending on a room parameter that can be specified via the room user interface – through a program called up by the interface. In this sense, said section of the display can change its color depending on the temperature setting of the heating program or its manual modification; thus, the user is provided with supplementary information via the display in a form that is particularly easy to perceive intuitively, even with reduced vision (for example, due to the removal of glasses or contact lenses). According to a particularly preferred embodiment, however, the color of said section of the display is determined by the color of the lighting mood of the lighting program called up via the room user interface, i.e., it depends on the lighting program currently being called up.

[0015] In the above context, the heating of the entire sanitary room can be the focus, but also (possibly additionally) local heating devices, such as radiant heaters, towel warmers, and the like. Particularly preferred, especially with regard to further enhanced comfort, is the integration of a lighting program, a sound program, and a heating program into a (complex) scene program, allowing them to be called up together as a specific scene. If the programmable electronic control also affects other fixtures in the sanitary room, the scene in question can include further program elements. For example, the electronic control unit can control a blackout or privacy screen located at a window (e.g., a blind).a roller blind) or a device used for room fragrance. In this sense, the sanitary room preferably includes at least one window with a privacy screen or blackout device and / or at least one fragrance device, wherein the electronic control has a privacy screen program memory suitable for storing at least one privacy screen program and / or a fragrance program memory suitable for storing at least one fragrance program, and the room user interface is configured to activate the privacy screen or blackout device and / or the fragrance device. From a comfort perspective, the control of these additional devices is also particularly preferably carried out according to the respective scene program that is called up, so that the scene program also includes privacy screen program elements or fragrance program elements.In this context, it is clear to an expert that the various program memories do not necessarily have to be discrete components that are spatially and structurally separate from one another, but that a unified, common program memory can be provided for the retrievable storage of all programs and program elements.

[0016] According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the electronic control includes a user identification module and a user identification signal generated by this module can be supplied to the central data processing unit for a person-specific preselection of the lighting programs and sound programs offered for selection at the room user interface, as well as the water dispensing programs offered for selection at the user interface.The lighting and sound programs offered for selection at the room user interface, as well as the water dispensing programs offered at the device user interface, are pre-selected based on the output signal of the user identification module. This pre-selection is made from all water dispensing programs stored in the water dispensing program memory, the lighting program memory, and the sound program memory. Not every user receives the same selection of water dispensing programs with corresponding preset parameters; rather, different users of the sanitary facility are presented with different, individually configured lighting, sound, and water dispensing program options. This simplifies and speeds up program selection and makes it particularly convenient.

[0017] The user identification sensor can, for example, rely on biometric characteristics (e.g., movement patterns, fingerprints, facial patterns, voice patterns, etc.) of the respective user or on technical characteristics such as identification codes of personal devices or transponders on personal equipment. Given the typically heightened need for privacy, especially when using sanitary facilities, the user identification sensor, when designed to capture biometric characteristics of the person using the sanitary facility from a distance, is particularly advantageously adjustable between a capture configuration and a physically distinguishable blank configuration. In this sense, for example, a camera designed to capture movement or facial patterns can be switched between a configuration consisting of a housing or...The sensor can be set to an extended detection configuration within its housing and a retracted, dummy configuration within the housing. This allows the user to easily and immediately see whether the detection of their biometric characteristics is activated or deactivated. For example, the user identification sensor can be automatically switched to its dummy configuration by the central data processing unit after successful user identification; an automatic return to the detection configuration by the central data processing unit can be triggered, for instance, when the person leaves the restroom. A (separate) person presence sensor can be used for this purpose.Alternatively, the user identification sensor's detection configuration can be changed by the central data processing unit when a person presence sensor acting on the data processing unit detects that a person is entering the restroom. Another preferred option is for the user identification sensor to be changed by the central data processing unit, depending on the situation, from its detection configuration to its blind configuration (and vice versa), according to criteria defined by the user in question.

[0018] A standard lighting program is preferably stored in the lighting program memory, which is used as long as the user identification module does not generate an output signal attributable to a specific registered user, whereby individual modification of the brightness of the lighting device is possible via the room user interface.

[0019] Alternatively or additionally to the user-specific preselection described above, a preselection of the lighting, sound, and / or scenery programs offered for selection at the room user interface and / or the water dispensing programs offered for selection at the device user interface can also be based on the day of the week and / or the time of day. The user in question assigns specific time preferences to their personal scenery programs, stored in the programmable controller, so that, for example, a different scenery program is offered at the room user interface on a weekday than on the weekend, and a different program is offered in the morning than in the evening on the same day. For this purpose, a timer is preferably provided, whereby a time signal generated by it can be fed to the central data processing unit and effect a time-specific program preselection as described above.

[0020] In structural terms, according to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the room user interface comprises a display, an adjustment ring extending around the display and rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the display, with a circumferential grip surface accessible from the radial outside, and four buttons arranged around the adjustment ring, wherein the adjustment ring and / or the display is axially movable for actuating a confirmation button, and the four buttons are designed as a program selection button, a lighting button, a sound button, and a temperature button, such that their actuation—when the adjustment ring is rotated—provides a signal in the central data processing unit, in the sense of a scene program selection or a brightness modification within a lighting program called up (as part of the scene program).Volume changes within a sound program (called as part of the scenery program) and temperature changes within a heating program (called as part of the scenery program) are processed in this way. This allows the user to operate the system in a particularly easy and intuitive manner, thus avoiding annoying operating errors.

[0021] With the four buttons, one of which is linked to the program selection, i.e., the selection of a specific scenery program from the range stored in the program memory (possibly specifically for the individual user), and the other three to the personal, momentary modification of the called scenery program by individually changing particularly characteristic ("primary") parameters of the scenery (brightness, volume, temperature), even sanitary facilities capable of running highly complex scenery programs can be operated in a practical way.It has been shown that for other parameters characteristic of the respective scenery ("secondary"), there is only a minor need for modification within the scenery program itself. Therefore, in the interest of user-friendliness, the option of manually intervening in the program via the room's user interface has been omitted. Instead of manually modifying these additional scenery parameters via the room's user interface (i.e., the buttons and the adjustment ring), alternative methods for influencing / varying them include, for example, an acoustic input with a voice control module (voice assistant) and / or modification via an app on a mobile device.The possibility of storing a separate scenery program modified in precisely that "secondary" parameter, as well as the possible influencing or controlling such "secondary" room parameters via the water dispensing program called up at the device interface, remains unaffected. Such scenery program parameters, which may not be manually modifiable within the called scenery program via the room user interface, but can (only) be changed by selecting a different scenery program or in other ways (e.g., via voice control), could, for example, include room fragrance and the activation of a privacy screen.

[0022] The room user interface display preferably features a central display area and a peripheral display area surrounding it in a ring. The peripheral display area comprises four segments spatially assigned to buttons, each containing a function value status indicator for the corresponding button function. Pressing a button displays the current setting value of the respective button function in the central display area (in a correspondingly enlarged format). This also enhances user-friendliness. Specifically, the control unit can be configured so that pressing a button extinguishes the function value status indicator of the corresponding button function in the associated peripheral display area. This further reinforces the effect achieved by displaying the current setting value of the respective button function in the central display area.

[0023] The four segments of the peripheral display area of ​​the room user station can change color, as mentioned above, depending on the set temperature, i.e., the temperature specified by the selected temperature program or scene program, or manually modified. A color variation from blue tones (at a lower temperature setting) to red tones (at a higher temperature setting) is particularly noticeable to the user.

[0024] From a user-friendliness perspective, it is particularly advantageous if the room user interface and the at least one device user interface are structurally identical. In particular, the respective program selection—i.e., selecting a scene program on the room user interface and a water dispensing program on the device user interface—should be accessible by pressing buttons that are positioned identically (e.g., in the upper left).

[0025] For maximum user comfort, the electronic control system ideally features a modification memory that saves individually applied modifications to the selected scenery program. The storage mode depends on individual needs, requirements, or circumstances. For example, the respective modification can be permanently stored, possibly as a supplementary (modified) scenery program that can be recalled later, in addition to the original, unmodified scenery program. However, temporary storage is also possible, for example, until the user leaves the restroom.

[0026] The various programming tasks, in particular the creation of personalized scene programs accessible via the room's user interface, are preferably performed by the user using a mobile device, specifically an app installed on that device. Therefore, the control unit should ideally include a data communication interface (e.g., Wi-Fi or Bluetooth), especially for inputting program data created on or via an external device. Furthermore, this data communication interface allows for the preparation of the bathroom and / or sanitary facilities for later use remotely and in advance, which significantly improves user comfort. This includes, for example, activating the heating system or filling the bathtub in advance.

[0027] The present invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to a preferred embodiment illustrated – partly schematically – in the drawing. Fig. 1 a sanitary room according to the invention, Fig. 2 the sanitary room according to Fig. 1 implemented programmable electronic control, Fig. 3, in the sanitary room according to Fig. 1 usable sanitary installation in the form of a shower, including the relevant areas of the programmable electronic control, Fig. 4 the device user interface of the in Fig. 3 The shower shown in perspective view, Fig. 5, in the form of the four sub-figures 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D, the display of the device's user interface according to Fig. 4 in different operating phases, Fig. 6 in the form of the four sub-figures 6A, 6B, 6C and 6D the display of the room user interface of the sanitary room according to Fig. 1 in different operating phases, Fig. 7 a user interface of the app installed on a mobile device for programming the electronic control and Fig. 8 the user interface used for programming the shower.

[0028] The in Fig. 1 The illustrated sanitary room, bounded by walls 1, floor 2, and ceiling 3 and accessible via a pedestrian entrance 4, is equipped with various sanitary stations. A wash station 5 comprises a double washbasin 8 with two basins 6 and associated water outlets 7, and a wall mirror 11 with lighting elements 9 and a shelf 10. A bath station 12 comprises a bathtub 13 with a main filling outlet 14 and a hand shower outlet 15. A shower station 16 comprises, as described below with reference to Fig. 3 The bathroom also features two water outlets, namely a shower head 17 and a hand shower 18, and a shower tray 19. Further fixtures include a toilet 20, a heating system 21 in the form of a wall-mounted radiator 22, a lighting system 24 consisting of ceiling spotlights 23, a sound system 25 with multiple loudspeakers 26, and a fragrance system 27 in the form of a fragrance dispenser 28 suitable for releasing several different scents / aromas. Furthermore, a window 29 provided in one of the walls 1 is equipped with a privacy screen 30, which is designed as a motorized roller blind 31.

[0029] The bathroom is equipped with a programmable electronic control system (see also Fig. 2 ) equipped with a control system that operates on the aforementioned sanitary stations – in particular for controlling the respective water supply – as well as on the other equipment of the sanitary room (namely the heating system 21, the lighting system 24, the sound system 25, the fragrance system 27 and the privacy screen 30). This is evident in Fig. 1 The various user interfaces belonging to the programmable electronic control system are shown, namely the room user interface 32 located next to the person access point 4 and the device user interfaces 33 provided at the individual sanitary stations. Finally, a user identification module 34 connected to the central data processing unit 41 is visible. This module is designed as an edge computing camera 35, which detects the movement pattern of persons entering the sanitary facilities through the person access point 4 and—if the movement pattern matches one of the locally stored movement patterns—identifies the person in question. By identifying the user at the periphery, i.e., in the edge computing camera 35, it is unnecessary to transmit the detected movement data to the central data processing unit 41.The user identification signal generated in the edge computing camera 35 and fed to the central data processing unit 41 is used in the central data processing unit 41 for a person-specific preselection of the scenery programs offered for selection at the room user interface 32 and the water dispensing programs offered for selection at the device user interface 33. The edge computing camera 35 can be switched between a detection configuration and a physically distinguishable blind configuration by being completely recessed into a housing 35a in the latter.

[0030] According to the schematic illustration after Fig. 2 Each of the two outlets 7 of the double washbasin 8 is assigned a dosing and mixing valve unit 38 connected to a cold water supply 36 and a hot water supply 37. The same applies to the bath station 12 and the shower station 16, whereby – given the option of selecting between two different water outlets – a distribution valve 39 is additionally connected downstream in each case. Both the dosing and mixing valve units 38 and the distribution valves 39 are controlled by the programmable electronic control unit 40; for this purpose, the (central) data processing unit 41 of the electronic control unit 40 acts on actuators (not shown) assigned to the aforementioned valves or valve units. Furthermore, the electronic control unit 40 includes a program memory 42 in which the various callable programs and program elements (su) are stored for retrieval by the data processing unit 41.The room user interface 32 and the four device user interfaces 33 communicate with the data processing unit 41; these are, as explained in detail below, combined input and output terminals. For illustrative purposes only (in the schematic diagram) Fig. 2 ) the four device user interfaces 33 are illustrated side by side and spatially separated from the sanitary facilities controlled by them; in practical implementation (see Fig. 1 ) the device user interfaces 33 are part of the respective sanitary station and are thus distributed throughout the sanitary room and arranged directly adjacent to the respective controlled sanitary facility.

[0031] The camera 35, connected to the data processing unit 41, is an input unit in the sense that the identification signal it provides is processed as part of the program preselection. In addition to the valves / valve units of the sanitary stations, the data processing unit 41 also controls the heating device 21, the lighting device 24, the sound device 25, the fragrance device 27, and the privacy screen 30 according to the respective programs or program elements that are executed.

[0032] As an example of the sanitary facilities in the sanitary room, the following refers to the Figuren 3 bis 5 Shower station 16 and the associated control system are explained in more detail. Fig. 3 The shower unit 43 shown has – in a known manner – a cold water inlet 44, a hot water inlet 45, a metering and mixing valve unit 38, a distribution valve 39, and two water outlets in the form of a shower head 17 and a hand shower 18 (including wall connection / holder 46 and hose 47). The corresponding components are connected to each other in a known and customary manner via water-carrying pipes 48.

[0033] To control the water output via the overhead shower 17 or the hand shower 18 with a specific flow rate and temperature, the dosing and mixing valve unit 38 and the distribution valve 39 are actuated by the programmable electronic control unit 40. For this purpose, the central data processing unit 41 of the electronic control unit 40 acts on the dosing and mixing valve unit 38 and the (not shown) actuators assigned to the distribution valve 39.

[0034] The actual water temperature and the actual water flow rate downstream of the dosing and mixing valve unit 39 are recorded via a temperature sensor 49 and a flow sensor 50 respectively, and the relevant measured values ​​are fed back to the central data processing unit 41 for temperature and flow control.

[0035] The electronic control unit 40 is programmable in the sense that the water dispensing via the two water outlets is program-controlled. For this purpose, the electronic control unit 40 includes a program memory 42 suitable for storing several different water dispensing programs, which communicates with the central data processing unit 41. Furthermore, the device user interface 33 assigned to the shower 43 communicates with the central data processing unit 41, enabling the selection of the water dispensing program to be executed and its manual modification.

[0036] While the device user interface 33 in Fig. 4 In its spatial-physical form, its individual elements, parts, components and areas are represented in Fig.3 For illustrative purposes, the device user interface 33 is isolated from one another. It features a round display 51, an adjustment ring 52 extending around the display 51 and rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the display 51, with a circumferential grip surface 53 accessible from the radial outside, and four buttons 54 arranged around the adjustment ring 52, recessed from both the ring 52 and the display 51. The adjustment ring 52 interacts with an associated adjustment ring rotary encoder 55. According to their assigned functions (su), the four buttons 54 are a program selection button 56, an outlet selection button 57, an output button 58, and a temperature button 59. All four buttons 54 have a backlit function symbol 60 indicating their function.

[0037] The display 51 has a central display area 61 and a peripheral display area 62 surrounding it in a circular shape. The latter comprises four segments 63 spatially assigned to the buttons 54 in the form of a program display segment 64, an outlet display segment 65, an output display segment 66 and a temperature display segment 67.

[0038] The electronic control unit 40 is configured such that a signal provided by the setting ring rotary encoder 55 after the program selection button 56 is pressed while the setting ring 52 is being rotated is processed in the central data processing unit 41 to select a water dispensing program. By continuing to rotate the setting ring 52, symbols are displayed sequentially in the central display area 61 of the display 51. These symbols are assigned to and represent the individual water dispensing programs stored in the program memory 42. Pressing the axially movable display 51 activates a confirmation button 68, thereby confirming or recalling the water dispensing program displayed in the central display area 61 of the display 51 via the corresponding symbol. This program is then retrieved from the program memory 42 by the central data processing unit 41.

[0039] Within the selected water dispensing program, the user can manually make individual modifications to characteristic water dispensing parameters via the device user interface 33, so that the water dispensing - with corresponding deviation from the selected program - can be individually adapted to personal needs.For this purpose, the electronic control 40 is configured such that in the central data processing unit 41 a signal provided by the setting ring rotary sensor 55 after activation of the temperature button 59 - when turning the setting ring 52 - is processed in the sense of a temperature modification, a signal provided by the setting ring rotary sensor 55 after activation of the output button 58 is processed in the sense of a flow modification, and a signal provided by the setting ring rotary sensor 55 after activation of the outlet selection button 57 is processed in the sense of switching the water outlet.

[0040] Regardless of whether the device user interface 33 is operated, the water supply automatically switches to the hand shower 18 when it is removed from the holder 46. For this purpose, the holder 46 has an embedded sensor (usage sensor) which generates a usage signal that is fed to the central data processing unit 41 when the hand shower 18 is removed.

[0041] Each of the four segments 63 of the peripheral display area 62 has a function value status indicator 69 for the respective button function. Thus, the current function / setting values ​​for water temperature, water flow, and water outlet—which may result from modification of the called program—are displayed by means of the function value status indicators 69 embedded in the temperature display segment 67, the output display segment 66, and the outlet display segment 65 of the peripheral display area 62 of the display 51.However, when one of the buttons 54 is pressed, the function value status indicator 69 in the segment 63 of the peripheral display area 62 assigned to that button goes out; and the current function / setting value, which can be adjusted by means of the setting ring 52 after pressing the respective button 52, is displayed correspondingly large in the central display area 61 of the display 51, so that the change is particularly easy for the user to recognize. This is illustrated in sub-figures 5A to 5D of the . Fig. 5 , whereby the device user interface 33 - through corresponding prior button activation - according to Fig. 5A is in program selection mode, according to Fig. 5B in water outlet modification mode, according to Fig. 5C in temperature modification mode and according to Fig. 5D in water flow modification mode.

[0042] The electronic control 40 is further configured such that the segments 63 of the peripheral display area 62 change their color together depending on the set water dispensing temperature; thus, the ring-shaped peripheral display area 62 as a whole changes its color – in gradual steps – from blue (at low water temperatures) to red (at high water temperatures). Furthermore, a predetermined time (e.g., two seconds) after the last operation of the device user interface 33, the temperature modification mode is automatically activated, in which a rotation of the setting ring 52 causes a change in the set temperature.

[0043] The user interfaces 33 of the washing station 5 and the bathing station 12 are structurally identical. However, the three modification buttons and their corresponding display areas have different functions. For washing station 5, the values ​​for basin height or fill level, water flow rate, and water temperature, as defined by the selected water dispensing program, can be modified. For bathing station 12, the values ​​for fill volume, water flow rate, and water temperature, as defined by the selected water dispensing program, can be modified.

[0044] Toilet 20 is designed as an intelligent toilet. It features a urine analysis device 70 connected to the central data processing unit 41. Important characteristic parameters of the urine are analyzed ad hoc and compared with target values ​​(including tolerance bands) stored in the program memory 42, specific to the individual user. If a significant deviation occurs, the user (or, if applicable, a caregiver) is notified via a corresponding message on the smartphone 71, which communicates with the electronic control unit 40, along with a dietary supplement recommendation.

[0045] The room user interface 32 allows the user to call up the room situation or atmosphere present in the sanitary room during its use – a so-called "scenery" for which the parameters temperature, lighting, and sound are particularly important. For this purpose, scene programs 42 are stored in the program memory, which in this case, in addition to the respective settings for the heating device 21, the lighting device 24, and the sound device 25, also include program elements relating to the settings of the privacy screen 30 and the fragrance diffuser 27.

[0046] The room user interface 32 is structurally identical to the device user interface 33 described in detail above. Reference is made to the relevant explanations in this respect. However, the functional assignment of the buttons 73 and the various areas and segments of the display 74 differs. Specifically, it features (see Fig. 6 The room user interface 32 is accessed via a program selection button 75, which serves to select one of the offered scene programs, and three further buttons which, in conjunction with the adjustment ring 76 and the confirmation button, serve to individually modify the lighting, sound, and temperature conditions specified by the selected scene program. These three further buttons are the brightness button 78, the volume button 79, and the temperature button 80. All four buttons 73 in turn have a backlit function symbol 81 indicating their function.

[0047] The room user interface 32's display 74 also has a central display area 82 and a peripheral display area 83 surrounding it in a circular shape. The latter comprises four segments 84 spatially assigned to the buttons 73, in the form of a program display segment 85, a brightness display segment 86, a volume display segment 87, and a temperature display segment 88. Each of the four segments of the peripheral display area has a function value status indicator 89 for the respective button function. Thus, the current function / setting values ​​for brightness, volume, and room temperature—which may result from modifications to the called scene program—are displayed by means of the function value status indicators 89 embedded in the brightness display segment 86, the volume display segment 87, and the temperature display segment 88 of the peripheral display area 83 of the display 74.However, when one of the buttons 73 is pressed, the function value status indicator 89 in the segment 84 of the peripheral display area 83 assigned to that button goes out; and the current function / setting value, which can be adjusted by means of the setting ring 76 after pressing the respective button 73, is displayed correspondingly large in the central display area 82 of the display 74, so that the change is particularly easy for the user to recognize. This is illustrated in sub-figures 6A to 6D of the . Fig. 6 , whereby the room user interface 32 - through corresponding prior button activation - according to Fig. 6A is in program selection mode, according to Fig. 6B in brightness modification mode, according to Fig. 6C in temperature modification mode and according to Fig. 6D in volume modification mode.

[0048] It is important that parameters relating to the room situation (in this case, lighting, sound, temperature, fragrance, and privacy) can be specified not only via scene programs called up using the room user interface 32, but also via water dispensing programs called up using the respective device user interface 33, which can contain corresponding program elements. In the event of a conflict, i.e., for example, different specifications for the lighting or sound system, the specifications of the device user interface 33 take precedence according to a corresponding configuration of the electronic control 40.

[0049] For programming by means of an external mobile device, namely a smartphone 71, on which a suitable app designed for this purpose is installed, the electronic control 40 has a data communication interface 90. Figuren 7 Figures 8 and 8 show an example of a possible smartphone user interface for the corresponding app, namely on the one hand ( Fig. 7 ) at the level of programming a scenery program - here called "My Morning" and illustrated with a specific symbol image 91, which corresponds to the program symbol displayed on the room user interface 32 - and on the other hand (Fig. 8) at the level of programming a specific water delivery program - here called "Cool Down Shower" and illustrated with a specific symbol image 92, which corresponds to the program symbol displayed on the device user interface 33.

[0050] They are recognizable in Fig. 7The user-selected settings for the "My Morning" scene program are as follows: application time preference from 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM, room temperature 23°C, "My Morning Playlist" sound program to be played, lighting via three lights dimmed to 80%, and privacy screen at 50% (left window) and 75% (right window). Pressing the "Edit" button takes the user to the settings / modification mode.

[0051] Figure 8 shows the user-selected settings for the "Cool Down Shower" water output program, namely – each with 100% water flow – the water outlet / temperature sequence "Waterfall Spray" at 20°C and "Rain Spray" at 37°C, with lighting according to the "Cool Down Light" program and playback of the "Kugou" and "Cool Down Songs" sound program sequence. The user then enters the settings / modification mode by pressing the "Edit" button.With appropriate hardware equipment for shower 43, the water dispensing program "Cool Down Shower" could, for example, also be assigned the addition of a personal care product to the dispensed water using the programming app; and beyond the settings of the lighting and sound devices, it would also be possible within the framework of the water dispensing program to specify further room parameters (which take precedence over the specifications of the respective scene program called up), such as a setting of the heating device 21 or the privacy screen 30.

Claims

1. A sanitary room of a building, having a people entrance (4), at least one sanitary station (5, 12, 16), a lighting device (34) and a sound device (25), wherein - the sanitary station (5, 12, 16) is provided with a sanitary facility having a cold-water supply (44), a hot-water supply (45), at least one water outlet and a metering and mixing valve unit (38), which is suitable for influencing the total flow through the water outlet and the ratio of the partial quantity of cold water and the partial quantity of hot water relative to one another in the total flow, and - a programmable electronic control system (40) acts on the metering and mixing valve unit (38), the lighting device (24) and the sound device (25), - the programmable electronic control system (40) has a water-program memory (42) suitable for storage of several different water-delivery programs capable of being called, a lighting-program memory (42) suitable for storage of several different lighting programs capable of being called, a sound-program memory (42) suitable for storage of several different sound programs capable of being called and at least one data-processing unit (41), which actuates at least one actor of the metering and mixing valve unit (38), at least one lamp regulator and at least one sound generator; - the sanitary station (5, 12, 16) comprises a device-user interface (33) that is associated with the sanitary facility and permits water-delivery program selection as well as manual modification of the selected water-delivery program; characterized in that - spatially separated from the device-user interface (33), adjacent to the people entrance (4), a room-user interface (32) is provided that permits lighting-program selection and sound-program selection as well as manual modification of the selected lighting program and of the selected sound program.

2. A sanitary room according to claim 1, characterized in that the electronic control system (40) comprises a user-identification module (34) wherein, with respect to the lighting programs and sound programs offered for selection at the room-user interface (32), as well as with respect to the water-delivery programs offered for selection at the device-user interface (33), preselection that depends on the output signal of the user-identification module (34) takes place from all water-delivery programs stored in the water program memory (42), lighting programs stored in the lighting program memory (42) and sound programs stored in the sound program memory (42), wherein preferably a standard lighting program is stored in the lighting program memory (42) and is used as long as the user-identification module (34) has not generated any output signal that can be associated with a specific registered user.

3. A sanitary room according to claim 2, characterized in that the user identification module (34) comprises a user-identification sensor (35), which can be adjusted between a sensing configuration and a blind configuration that can be physically distinguished therefrom, wherein the user-identification sensor will be adjusted to its blind configuration by the data-processing unit after user identification has been established.

4. A sanitary room according to claim 3, characterized in that a person-presence sensor acts on the data-processing unit such that the user-identification sensor (35) will be adjusted from its blind configuration to its sensing configuration when the previously identified user leaves the sanitary room or a person enters the sanitary room through the people entrance (4).

5. A sanitary room according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the sanitary room comprises at least one heating device (21), wherein the electronic control system (40) has a heating-program memory (42) suitable for storage of several different heating programs capable of being called and the room-user interface (32) is configured to enable a heating-program selection, wherein preferably the room-user interface (32) permits manual modification of the selected heating program.

6. A sanitary room according to claim 5, characterized in that the room-user interface (32) has a display (74), of which at least one partial region changes its color in dependence on the called lighting program, especially by the fact that the color changes according to the lighting mood of the lighting program called via the room-user interface (32) or to manual modification thereof.

7. A sanitary room according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the sanitary room comprises at least one fragrance-imparting device (27), wherein the electronic control system (40) has a fragrance-imparting-program memory (42) suitable for storage of at least one fragrance-imparting program and the room-user interface (32) is configured for activation of the fragrance-imparting device.

8. A sanitary room according to claim 7, characterized in that the sanitary room comprises at least one window (29) having a privacy screen and / or blackout device (30), wherein the electronic control system (40) has a blackout-program memory (42) suitable for storage of at least one blackout program capable of being called and the room-user interface (32) is configured for activation of the privacy-screen and / or blackout device (30).

9. A sanitary room according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the electronic control system (40) is configured for linking of lighting programs and sound programs and if applicable also of heating programs and / or fragrance-imparting programs and / or blackout programs in such a way that these can be called at the room-user interface (32) in combination with one another as complex scenario programs, wherein preferably a timer is provided, wherein a time signal generated thereby can be supplied to the central data-processing unit (41) to bring about a time-specific preselection of the scenario programs offered for selection at the room-user interface (32).

10. A sanitary room according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the room-user interface has a display (74), a setting-selector ring (76) extending around the display (74) and capable of being turned around an axis perpendicular to the display (74), with a circumferential gripping face accessible from radially outside, and four buttons (73) disposed around the setting-selector ring (76), wherein the setting-selector ring (76) and / or the display (74) can be shifted axially for actuation of a confirmation switch and the four buttons (73) are designed as program-selection button (75), as lighting button (78), as sound button (79), and as temperature button (80), such that, upon their actuation, a signal supplied by a rotary-position transducer of the setting-selector ring is processed in the central data-processing unit (41) in the sense of a scenario-program selection, a brightness modification within a called lighting program, a loudness modification within a called sound program and a temperature modification within a called heating program.

11. A sanitary room according to claim 10, characterized in that the display (74) is provided with a central display region (82) and a peripheral display region (85) surrounding it annularly, wherein the peripheral display region (85) comprises at least three segments (84) associated spatially with the buttons (73) and having respectively a function-value status display (89) of the button function in question, and upon button actuation a display of the instantaneous setting value of the button function in question appears in the central display region (82).

12. A sanitary room according to claim 10 or claim 11, characterized in that the buttons (73) respectively have a backlit function symbol (81).

13. A sanitary room according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the electronic control system (40) is equipped with an acoustic control module, which permits voice control.

14. A sanitary room according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the room-user interface (32) and the at least one device-user interface (33) are designed structurally identical.

15. A sanitary room according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the electronic control system (40) comprises a data-communication interface (90), especially for inputting program data created on an external device (71).