Household appliance

Abstract

The invention relates to a household appliance (1; 2) with a communication module, which is designed and configured to perform at least one-way, preferably two-way, communication with a mobile device (4) of a user (5). The household appliance (1; 2) is characterized in that the household appliance (1; 2), preferably the communication module and / or a control unit of the household appliance (1; 2), is designed and configured to: • receive activity information from the user (5) via the mobile device (4) and • be activated and / or operated depending on the received activity information from the user (5).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a household appliance.

[0002] Household appliances such as washing machines, tumble dryers, washer-dryers, wet vacuum cleaners, vacuum cleaners, and the like have long been known for carrying out or supporting household activities such as washing, drying, cleaning (e.g., wiping or vacuuming), and the like. This also applies to kitchen appliances, which are also classified as household appliances. For example, a user can be assisted in preparing meals by a hand mixer, a hand blender, a kettle, and in particular by cooking appliances such as an oven, a steamer, a combination oven and steamer, a microwave, and the like. Kitchen appliances also include, for example, extractor hoods, dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers, chest freezers, and the like.

[0003] Some household appliances, such as vacuum cleaners and hand mixers, are guided and moved by the user during use and are therefore considered mobile. Other household appliances, such as washing machines, dryers, ovens, steamers, refrigerators, and the like, are placed and used in a specific location in the home, such as the kitchen or pantry, due to their intended use and their size and weight, and are therefore considered stationary.

[0004] Such stationary household appliances usually have in common that they have an outer casing which essentially encloses the household appliance on the outside and protects its individual components and elements, as well as making them easier to handle together. An interior space is formed within the household appliance which represents the handling space and is essentially enclosed by an inner casing which acts as an inner casing. Between the inner casing and the outer casing, a housing space is formed as an intermediate space in which functional elements of the household appliance, such as a controller or control unit, an electrical power supply and other components which serve the intended use of the household appliance, can be arranged. In depth from the front, i.e. viewed from the user's perspective, the outer casing ora panel in the form of a furniture material or in the form of a control panel and the like together with the inner housing closes off the housing space so that the housing space is not accessible to the user.

[0005] The interior of the household appliance has a through-opening at the front in depth as an access opening, through which the interior of the household appliance is accessible to the user in order to insert items to be treated, such as laundry to be washed or dried, food to be cooked or cooled, or the like, into the interior of the household appliance and arrange them there, and to remove them from the interior of the household appliance after treatment has been completed. The access opening can be opened by the user by means of a closure element, for example in the form of a door that can be pivoted sideways, a flap that can be pivoted downwards, or the like, in order to access the interior of the household appliance, as described above, or to close the interior of the household appliance and carry out the treatment process.Such a closure element can be designed to be closed or to have a viewing window to allow the user, for example in the case of a washing machine or an oven, to see into the closed interior of the household appliance.

[0006] It's now common practice in households to use so-called voice assistants to control and operate household appliances, among other things. A person, as the user, can speak instructions, which are then recorded, understood, and executed by the voice assistant. Voice assistants are software programs that are run by a hardware platform, such as the control unit. Currently well-known voice assistants include "Google Assistant," "Siri," "Alexa," and "Cortana."

[0007] Voice assistants can be used by separate devices, also called smart speakers, such as the Amazon Echo, Google Home, and the Apple HomePod. A smart speaker typically has both a microphone for capturing spoken instructions from people and a speaker for outputting spoken information. The combination of a voice assistant with a smart speaker can be referred to as a voice assistance system. A smartphone with voice assistant software can also represent a voice assistance system. If a household appliance is to be controlled in this way, the user can transmit their instructions to the voice assistance system verbally. The voice assistance system can then forward the recognized instructions to the household appliance via Wi-Fi or similar.

[0008] However, voice assistants can also be used directly by household appliances and operated via their control unit. In this case, the household appliance itself has at least one microphone for capturing spoken instructions from people and preferably also a speaker for outputting spoken information.

[0009] In any case, it is common practice for the user to deliberately activate the voice assistant or the voice assistance function in order to distinguish the subsequent speech as voice input to the voice assistant from the rest of the user's conversation. This is usually done via a "wake word" or activation word, which is recorded by a smart speaker, smartphone, or household appliance.

[0010] The disadvantage here is that the wake word is universal and can therefore be used by anyone, including people other than the user of the household appliance who currently wants to carry out a treatment process.

[0011] Another disadvantage is that activating the voice assistant typically requires the user to utter a relatively long voice command, which is also counterintuitive and has a specific syntax. This makes it uncomfortable for the user. The user also has to carefully consider what to say.

[0012] It is also known to activate a voice assistance function using image recognition of a user, thus eliminating the need for the user to speak a wake word. In this case, a distinction can be made between simply recognizing a person and using this as the trigger for activating the voice assistant, or individually recognizing a specific person as a user from the captured image data and distinguishing them from other people.

[0013] The disadvantage, in any case, is that capturing images using a camera or similar device, as well as processing the captured image data using image recognition, requires additional and not insignificant effort. Image capture must be continuous, meaning it must always be active and running, in order to be able to recognize and respond to the user at any time.

[0014] The quality or result of image recognition, especially for the recognition of a specific person, also depends on the boundary conditions, particularly the visibility and lighting conditions, as well as the quality of the image capture. Higher image capture or camera quality also leads to higher costs. Furthermore, the application of image capture and recognition is limited to the area in which images can be captured at all, for example, directly in front of the household appliance.

[0015] Furthermore, the image capture can also capture and recognize people in the image capture area who are not relevant at all and / or who do not want to be captured and recognized at all.

[0016] It's also common practice today to operate a household appliance using an app from a mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet. This is typically done via wireless communication between the mobile device and the household appliance, as well as corresponding inputs on the mobile device's display.

[0017] In any case, it must be noted that to avoid remote effects, it must be ensured that a user only activates or operates a household appliance or a treatment process when they are directly at the appliance or at least sufficiently close to it or within sight of it. Otherwise, activation or modification of the household appliance or the treatment process should not be possible, as this could endanger the safety of the household appliance or the household, as well as of people.

[0018] The invention addresses the problem of improving the options for activating and / or using household appliances. In particular, the safety of activation and / or operation should be improved or ensured. In particular, remote activation should be prevented. In any case, this should be as simple, cost-effective, reliable, and / or energy-efficient as possible. At the very least, an alternative to the existing options should be created.

[0019] According to the invention, this problem is solved by a household appliance having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention emerge from the following dependent claims.

[0020] The invention thus relates to a household appliance with a communication module that is designed and configured to carry out at least one-way, preferably two-way, communication with a user's mobile terminal. The household appliance can be any household appliance, and in particular any kitchen appliance. In particular, the household appliance can be a stationary household appliance, and in particular a built-in household appliance. For example, the stationary household appliance can be a washing machine, a dryer, a refrigerator, a cooktop, an oven, a steamer, and the like.

[0021] The household appliance is characterized in that the household appliance, preferably the communication module and / or a control unit of the household appliance, is designed and configured to receive user activity information from the mobile device and to be activated and / or operated depending on the received user activity information.

[0022] The present invention is based on the finding that a preferably UWB-capable mobile device such as a smartphone, smartwatch, or other wearable device is typically worn or carried or used by the user during use, but can also be removed by the user. Therefore, the presence of the user can be assumed based on the presence or proximity of a mobile device relative to a household appliance. However, this is not certain.

[0023] Therefore, according to the invention, the ability of a corresponding mobile device to detect or recognize user activity can be used to distinguish a mobile device that is put down and at rest from a mobile device that is being carried by the user. In the latter case, the presence of the user can be correctly inferred from the presence or proximity of the mobile device relative to a household appliance. This can be used to activate, operate, or even to rest or deactivate the household appliance.

[0024] Corresponding activity information can be any information that allows a reliable or secure conclusion that the mobile device is being carried or used by the user. This can be, for example, movement data from the mobile device, e.g., via GPS or the like. This can also be acceleration data from an acceleration sensor or gyroscope of the mobile device. This can also be health data of the user that can be recorded by the mobile device.

[0025] A "wearable," also called a "wearable computer," refers to electronic devices such as a smartwatch, data glasses, or the like, which are worn on the user's body during use. Wearables can also be integrated into clothing, including shoes. The aforementioned wireless communication standards can also be used with wearables.

[0026] Wearables can be used, in particular, for mobile data processing. On the other hand, wearables are essentially used to make the person wearing or using the wearable findable or trackable, which can be referred to as tracking. During tracking, information about the user can be collected and wirelessly transmitted to other electronic devices or to an electrical network, which show the person's position in a room and, in particular, in relation to a device. Additionally or alternatively, information relating to the person's activities and / or physiological state, such as body temperature, heart rate, and the like, can also be transmitted in this way. Wearables can also interact or communicate with each other, for example to identify people or their wearables, and the like.

[0027] According to one aspect of the invention, the user's activity information includes movement information of the mobile device. This can represent one possible type of activity information, as previously mentioned.

[0028] According to a further aspect, the user's activity information includes vital information about the user. This may represent an additional or alternative possibility for activity information, as previously mentioned.

[0029] According to a further aspect, the household appliance, preferably a control unit of the household appliance, is further designed and configured to be activated and / or operated based on information from the user's mobile device only if, at the same time, an existing user activity is detected from the received user activity information. This can represent a concrete implementation or use of the received user activity information, as already mentioned above.

[0030] According to a further aspect of the invention, the household appliance, preferably the communication module and / or a control unit of the household appliance, is designed and configured to identify the mobile terminal. In other words, the preferably UWB-capable mobile terminal with which the household appliance is currently communicating can be differentiated from other such, preferably UWB-capable mobile terminals, for example by comparing identification data of the mobile terminal with identification data that is available to the household appliance, for example stored there, or that can be made available, for example, via the Internet.

[0031] In any case, the household appliance can react specifically to the specific identified, preferably UWB-capable, mobile device or be operated depending on the specific identified mobile device, as will be described in more detail below.

[0032] According to a further aspect of the invention, the household appliance, preferably a control unit of the household appliance, is designed and configured to assign the identified mobile terminal to a user. This allows the identified, preferably UWB-capable, mobile terminal and its carrier to be linked as the user, for example, also by comparing them with corresponding information, as described above. This can make it possible to operate the household appliance depending on a specific identified user, as will be described in more detail below.

[0033] According to a further aspect of the invention, the household appliance, preferably the communication module and / or a control unit of the household appliance, is designed and configured to locate the mobile terminal. This can make it possible to use or take into account the position of the preferably UWB-capable mobile terminal relative to the household appliance, in particular the distance and / or orientation of the mobile terminal relative to the household appliance, in order to operate the household appliance and / or a voice assistance function, as will be described in more detail below.

[0034] In particular, functions or the operation of the household appliance as a whole can be made dependent on the proximity of the preferably UWB-capable mobile device. This can, in particular, prevent remote operation—i.e., operation or influencing of the operation of the household appliance by means of the mobile device without its sufficient proximity and thus without the presumed presence of the respective user—which can increase the security of the household appliance.

[0035] According to a further aspect of the invention, the household appliance, preferably the communication module and / or a control unit of the household appliance, is further designed and configured to receive information based on a voice input from the user, preferably wirelessly, from a voice assistance system, and / or the household appliance has an acoustic interface which is designed and configured to detect a voice input from the user, wherein the household appliance is further designed and configured to be activated and / or operated depending on the received activity information from the user and the voice input from the user. This can expand the previously described aspects of the invention to include the possibilities of a voice input from the user.

[0036] The present invention is based on the finding that voice assistance functions of a separate smart speaker, smartphone, or the like as a voice assistance system and / or of the household appliance itself enable neither recognition nor localization, i.e., determination of the user's position or distance from the household appliance. Furthermore, previously known user recognition and / or localization based solely on the image data captured by an image capture unit of a household appliance may be inadequate in terms of the quality of the result. Furthermore, this is inherently limited to the detection range or field of view of the image capture unit.

[0037] According to the invention, the household appliance therefore has a means of communication, preferably UWB communication, with a preferably UWB-capable mobile terminal of the user of the household appliance. Thus, the properties of the communication, and in particular of UWB technology, can additionally be used to identify and / or locate the user who carries or uses the preferably UWB-capable mobile terminal. This can improve or expand the possible uses of the household appliance, as will be described in more detail below.

[0038] According to a further aspect of the invention, the household appliance, preferably a control unit of the household appliance, is designed and configured to store at least one located position of the user as a voice assistance position, preferably at least one area based on located positions of the user as a voice assistance area, wherein the household appliance, preferably a control unit of the household appliance, is further designed and configured to be activated and / or operated depending on the received activity information of the user and a presence of the identified mobile terminal of the user at the voice assistance position, preferably in the voice assistance area.

[0039] A voice assistance position or voice assistance area can be defined as a location, position, or area in the household, such as the kitchen, which is defined as such by the user. This can be achieved, for example, by the user walking through the location, position, or area with a preferably UWB-capable mobile device, which is then located by the household appliance. The position(s) during the walking can then be saved as a voice assistance position or voice assistance area by the user's mobile device and / or by the household appliance.

[0040] The user can then assign the voice assistance position or voice assistance area the function to activate and / or operate the voice assistance function only if the identified, preferably UWB-capable, mobile device reaches the voice assistance position or enters or is located in the voice assistance area. If the identified mobile device leaves the voice assistance position or voice assistance area, this can deactivate or pause the voice assistance function.

[0041] The voice assistance area can be the entire kitchen of the household. However, the user can also define only a section of the kitchen as the voice assistance area, for example, a certain area near the household appliance according to the invention. However, the voice assistance area can also be reduced to the area immediately in front of the household appliance and then referred to as the voice assistance position. However, a voice assistance position can also be another position, in particular in the kitchen, which may be distant from the household appliance but from which the household appliance can be clearly seen by the user. This can also be done for other areas of the household, such as a utility room.

[0042] According to a further aspect of the invention, the household appliance is designed and configured to provide a voice output to the user via the voice assistance system and / or the acoustic interface. This can enable corresponding acoustic feedback to the user.

[0043] According to a further aspect of the invention, the household appliance, preferably the communication module and / or a control unit of the household appliance, is further designed and configured to provide the voice output to the user based on the received activity information, preferably the received vital information, of the user. This can increase the design flexibility of the voice output. In particular, instructions can be automatically provided to the user via voice, taking into account their vital status according to the available vital information.

[0044] According to a further aspect of the invention, the communication module is a UWB communication module, and the mobile terminal is a UWB-capable mobile terminal. This allows the properties and advantages of UWB communication to be applied and utilized.

[0045] UWB stands for Ultra Wideband and describes the use of a broadband radio signal with a minimum width of 500 MHz in a frequency range from 3.1 GHz to 10.6 GHz. The generated radio signals have a time delay in the nanosecond range. This enables high data rates and also allows for time-of-flight measurements, which enable precise distance measurements between two UWB participants of less than 10 cm. Depending on the antenna design or when using multiple antennas, the directions of the radio signals can also be determined with an accuracy of around 3° using a time-of-flight difference. Typical measurement methods here are two-way ranging and PDoA (phase difference of the incoming signals).

[0046] IEEE802.15.4z can be used as the technical basis. This is a radio protocol for UWB communication that is only permitted to use low spectral power. This low spectral power limits its range. The high bandwidth (500 MHz) allows for very short pulses, which can be used for precise time-of-flight measurements.

[0047] In other words, the invention is based on the insight that location tracking via a wearable does not clearly indicate the presence of a user, but only the presence of the located wearable. The wearable may have been placed somewhere, and the user may be in a different location, e.g., in another room.

[0048] Motion and vital sign detection has so far only been achieved by sensors that detect the relevant information within the detection range, but cannot pinpoint a precise location. While a conventional FMCW radar sensor would be capable of detecting vital signs and a position, it has so far not been able to clearly identify the person in localized motion detection. A camera solution has only a limited detection range due to its optics and resolution.

[0049] The invention can identify the user, locate them, and actually verify their presence based on the detected vital signs and / or the wearable's movement within a very large area around a household appliance. This allows device functions and intelligent assistance features to be offered that require a clear presence in a specific area in front of the household appliance. Certain user movements can also be detected and assigned to a specific user.

[0050] The invention can be implemented using a wearable device. A communication module, in particular a UWB communication module, can be used to identify the user and precisely determine the distance to a household appliance that also has a (UWB) communication module. The wearable device can use integrated sensors such as a motion sensor and / or sensors for detecting vital signs, e.g., respiration, heart rate, body temperature, or blood oxygen levels.

[0051] The UWB function can use time-of-flight measurement according to the IEEE 802.15.4z standard to determine the distance between the wearable and the household appliance. Depending on the functionality, the direction can also be determined using the angle-of-arrival measurement method.

[0052] Additionally, the wearable can have an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, or a magnetic field sensor that can measure the movements of the wearable, which could be, for example, a smart watch worn by the user on the wrist. Instead of or in addition to a motion sensor, the wearable can have vital sign sensors, e.g., a radar sensor that can determine breathing and / or heart rate movements, a pulse oximeter that measures blood oxygen levels, which are based on IR sensors that can determine blood oxygen levels based on different light emissions and absorptions by the skin, or a blood pressure monitor.

[0053] With these additional sensors, the user can be clearly identified as a living person, whether based on characteristic movements while wearing the wearable or through their vital signs. These are linked to the position data through (UWB) communication with the household appliance, leading to a wider range of operable device functions or the triggering of intelligent assistance functions that would not be possible using sensor information or position data alone. These device functions include, for example, the complete and safe operation of a cooktop.

[0054] Thus, the detected movement and / or vital signs can be linked to a user ID and a precise location through communication, for example, using UWB. This allows a user to perform supervised operation through remote start functions, including safety-relevant device functions, if their position is detected in a specific area. The additional sensor information clearly identifies the user as present. This prevents the wearable from being placed near the household appliance simply to trigger certain device functions without actually being present.

[0055] The sensor information can still be used to operate the device if it is detected via communication within a certain distance from the household appliance. For example, hand movements can be interpreted as operating gestures if they are performed via communication within a specific area. This clearly determines the context and prevents incorrect operation.

[0056] The gesture control area can be directly in front of the household appliance or in an area predefined by the user, e.g., behind the kitchen island, where the user usually prepares food and would prefer to remotely control the oven or cooktop, for example. The latter would then be fully operable, as UWB ensures a supervised operating distance. The clear recognition of the user at the supervised operating distance also allows for full voice control. The wearable's sensors could detect the utterance of the voice command, identifying the wearer as the person who issued the voice command.

[0057] The detected vital signs can be used to trigger certain assistance functions if they are detected within a certain distance. For example, a specific breathing pattern or heartbeat near a household appliance can trigger an assistance function. A user who is detected via UWB in front of a coffee machine and whose wearable detects high blood pressure may be advised to use decaffeinated coffee instead of caffeinated coffee.

[0058] The user can pre-determine whether or not they want this assistance. The sensor information is linked to the user's ID via the communication chip.

[0059] An embodiment of the invention is shown purely schematically in the drawings and is described in more detail below. It shows Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a kitchen diagonally from above at the front with two household appliances according to the invention arranged directly next to each other in a first situation; and Figure 2 shows the representation of the Figure 1 supplemented by another room next to it in a second situation.

[0060] The figures above are viewed in Cartesian coordinates. There is a longitudinal axis X, which can also be referred to as depth X or length X. Perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X extends a transverse axis Y, which can also be referred to as width Y. Perpendicular to both the longitudinal axis X and the transverse axis Y extends a vertical axis Z, which can also be referred to as height Z and corresponds to the direction of gravity. The longitudinal axis X and the transverse axis Y together form the horizontal X, Y, which can also be referred to as the horizontal plane X, Y.

[0061] The Figures 1 and 2Both show a perspective view of a kitchen 0 from diagonally above at the front with two household appliances 1, 2 according to the invention arranged directly next to each other, wherein the Figure 2 additionally shows a part of the room to the right. The first household appliance 1 according to the invention is a microwave 1. The second household appliance 2 according to the invention, to the right, is a steamer 2.

[0062] The kitchen 0 has a cooking island 01 with a hob (not marked) in the foreground. In the first situation of the Figure 1 A person 5 stands in front of the cooking island 01, wearing a UWB-capable mobile device 4 in the form of a UWB wearable 4 as a UWB smartwatch 4 on their left wrist. The person 5 can therefore be regarded as a user 5 of the household appliances 1, 2 according to the invention. The user 5 is located within a voice assistance area (not marked or labeled).

[0063] The kitchen 0 has a transverse kitchen unit 02 in the background, which has several pieces of kitchen furniture 03. A voice assistance system 3 is arranged on one of the pieces of kitchen furniture 03. The microwave 1 according to the invention and the steam cooker 2 according to the invention are arranged as built-in appliances in the kitchen furniture 03.

[0064] Both household appliances 1, 2 according to the invention each have an outer housing (not labeled), which can also be referred to as an outer casing and essentially closes off or encloses the respective household appliance 1, 2 to the outside. The outer casing terminates in the upper region along the longitudinal axis at the front, i.e., toward the kitchen 0, with a panel 10, 20. The panel 10, 20 each has a display / control element 12, 22 in the form of a display 12, 22.

[0065] Within the outer housing is a cooking chamber (not shown), which is accessible to the user 5 from the front along the longitudinal axis X through an access opening (not shown) located below the panel 10, 20. The access opening can be closed and opened by means of a closure element 11, 21 in the form of a flap 11, 21.

[0066] In the right-hand area of ​​the panel 10, 20, an acoustic interface 13, 23 in the form of a microphone / speaker unit 13, 23 is arranged and directed forward into the kitchen 0 in order to acoustically detect the area immediately in front of the household appliance 1, 2 and to output acoustic signals forward into the kitchen 0. Each household appliance 1, 2 further comprises a UWB module to enable communication with UWB-capable mobile devices 4 in both transmission directions. Each household appliance 1, 2 further comprises a control unit (not shown) for operating the respective components and modules.

[0067] In general, the UWB communication between the respective household appliance 1, 2 and a UWB-enabled mobile terminal 4 of a user 5 can be used to identify the UWB-enabled mobile terminal 4 and to assign it to a user 5, whereby the user 5 can also be identified.

[0068] The UWB-capable mobile terminal 4 and thus at least roughly the user 5 can also be located by the respective household appliance 1, 2, which enables a determination of an orientation as well as a distance between the respective household appliance 1, 2 and the UWB-capable mobile terminal 4.

[0069] The location of the UWB-capable mobile terminal 4 and thus at least approximately also of its user 5 can be used to activate or operate the voice assistance function based on the corresponding distance information only when the user 5 is in sufficient or immediate proximity to the household appliance 1, 2, which can exclude a remote effect.

[0070] Due to the location capabilities of the UWB-capable mobile device 4, the user 5 can also mark and store an area based on its positions or edge positions, which can be designated and used as a voice assistance area. Thus, activation or operation of the voice assistance function can be linked to the user 5 or the identified UWB-capable mobile device 4 of the user 5 being within the voice assistance area.

[0071] A voice output can also be provided to user 5 via the voice assistance system 3 and / or the acoustic interface 13, 23, for example, to inform user 5 about the remaining time of a treatment procedure. This can occur automatically, in particular, as soon as user 5 accesses the voice assistance area A.

[0072] In any case, activity information of the user 5 can be captured by the UWB-enabled mobile device 4 and transmitted to the household appliance 1, 2 currently being used by the user 5 via a wireless communication connection A. This household appliance 1, 2 can use the obtained activity information of the user 5 to activate and / or operate it.

[0073] In particular, activation or operation of the household appliance 1, 2 can only occur based on activity information from the mobile device 4 of the user 5 if an activity of the user 5 is actually detected at that moment. This activity information of the user 5 can be movement information of the mobile device 4 and / or vital information of the user 5.

[0074] Accordingly, a voice command from the user 5, who actually wears the Smartwatch 4 as a mobile device 4 on his wrist, can lead to a corresponding operation of the microwave 1, see Figure 1 .

[0075] However, if the Smartwatch 4 is only lying on the work surface of a kitchen unit 03, i.e. is not worn by the user 5 on his wrist, this voice command of the user 5 does not lead to the operation of the microwave 1, see Figure 2 . List of reference symbols (part of the description)

[0076] Wireless communication connection X Longitudinal axis; Depth; Length Y Transverse axis; Width Z Vertical axis; Height X, Y Horizontal; Horizontal plane 0Kitchen 01Kitchen island 02Kitchen unit 03Kitchen furniture 1 (first) household appliance; microwave 10 panel 11 locking element; flap 12 display / control element; display 13 acoustic interface; microphone / speaker unit 2 (second) household appliance; steamer 20 panel 21 locking element; flap 22 display / control element; display 23 acoustic interface; microphone / speaker unit 3Voice assistance system 4UWB-capable mobile device; UWB wearable; UWB smartwatch 5first person; user

Claims

1. Household appliance (1; 2) with a communication module which is designed and configured to carry out at least one-sided, preferably two-sided, communication with a mobile terminal (4) of a user (5), characterized in that the household appliance (1; 2), preferably the communication module and / or a control unit of the household appliance (1; 2), is designed and configured to • receive activity information of the user (5) from the mobile terminal (4) and • be activated and / or operated depending on the received activity information of the user (5).

2. Household appliance (1; 2) according to claim 1, wherein the activity information of the user (5) comprises movement information of the mobile terminal (4).

3. Household appliance (1; 2) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the activity information of the user (5) comprises vital information of the user (5).

4. Household appliance (1; 2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the household appliance (1; 2), preferably a control unit of the household appliance (1; 2), is further designed and configured to be activated and / or operated based on information from the mobile terminal (4) of the user (5) only if, at the same time, an existing activity of the user (5) is recognized from the received activity information of the user (5).

5. Household appliance (1; 2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the household appliance (1; 2), preferably the communication module and / or a control unit of the household appliance (1; 2), is further designed and configured to identify the mobile terminal (4).

6. Household appliance (1; 2) according to claim 5, wherein the household appliance (1; 2), preferably a control unit of the household appliance (1; 2), is further designed and configured to assign the identified mobile terminal (4) to a user (5).

7. Household appliance (1; 2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the household appliance (1; 2), preferably the communication module and / or a control unit of the household appliance (1; 2), is designed and configured to locate the mobile terminal (4).

8. Household appliance (1; 2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the household appliance (1; 2), preferably the communication module and / or a control unit of the household appliance (1; 2), is further designed and configured to receive information based on a voice input of the user (5) from a voice assistance system (3), preferably wirelessly, and / or wherein the household appliance (1; 2) has an acoustic interface (13; 23) which is designed and configured to detect a voice input of the user (5), wherein the household appliance (1; 2) is further designed and configured to be activated and / or operated depending on the received activity information of the user (5) and the voice input of the user (5).

9. Household appliance (1; 2) according to claim 5 or 6 and according to claim 7 and according to claim 8, wherein the household appliance (1; 2), preferably a control unit of the household appliance (1; 2), is further designed and configured to store at least one located position of the user (5) as a voice assistance position, preferably at least one area based on located positions of the user (5) as a voice assistance area, wherein the household appliance (1; 2), preferably a control unit of the household appliance (1; 2), is further designed and configured to be activated and / or operated depending on the received activity information of the user (5) and a presence of the identified mobile terminal (4) of the user (5) at the voice assistance position, preferably in the voice assistance area.

10. Household appliance (1; 2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the household appliance (1; 2), preferably a control unit of the household appliance (1; 2), is designed and configured to provide a voice output to the user (5) by means of the voice assistance system (3) and / or by means of the acoustic interface (13; 23).

11. Household appliance (1; 2) according to claim 10, wherein the household appliance (1; 2), preferably the communication module and / or a control unit of the household appliance (1; 2), is further designed and configured to provide the voice output to the user (5) as a function of the received activity information, preferably the received vital information, of the user (5).

12. Household appliance (1; 2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the communication module is a UWB communication module and wherein the mobile terminal (4) is a UWB-capable mobile terminal (4).

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