Domestic appliance system, large domestic appliance, small domestic appliance and method for operating a domestic appliance system

Abstract

The invention is based on a domestic appliance system (10) having at least one small domestic appliance (12), having at least two large domestic appliances (14, 16) and having a control environment (18) for in particular simultaneously determining a relative position of the small domestic appliance (12) in relation to the large domestic appliances (14, 16). In order to provide a system of the generic type having improved properties in terms of convenience and safety, it is proposed that the control environment (18) be intended to take at least one determination result of the determination as a basis for deciding to which of the large domestic appliances (14, 16) the small domestic appliance (12) can be connected.

Description

[0001] Household appliance system, large household appliance, small household appliance and method for operating a household appliance system

[0002] State of the art

[0003] The invention relates to a household appliance system according to the preamble of claim 1, a large household appliance according to claim 11, a small household appliance according to claim 12 and a method for operating a household appliance system according to the preamble of claim 13.

[0004] A household appliance system comprising a small household appliance and at least one large household appliance to which the small household appliance can be connected is already known from the prior art. By arranging the small household appliance in close proximity to the large household appliance, a connection between the small household appliance and the large household appliance can be established.

[0005] The object of the invention is, in particular, to provide a generic device with improved properties in terms of comfort and safety. This object is achieved according to the invention by the features of claims 1, 11, 12, and 13, while advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention can be found in the subclaims.

[0006] Advantages of the invention

[0007] The invention is based on a household appliance system with at least one small household appliance, with at least two large household appliances and with a control environment for, in particular, simultaneously determining a relative position of the small household appliance with respect to the large household appliances.

[0008] It is proposed that the control environment be provided to decide, based on at least one determination result of the determination, to which of the large household appliances the small household appliance can be connected. Such a configuration can increase a high level of user comfort and achieve a high level of security. Furthermore, a precise statement about the arrangement of a small household appliance with respect to at least two large household appliances can be made possible, whereby a connection and / or coupling of the small household appliance to at least one of the large household appliances can be quickly and / or conveniently enabled and / or disabled. In addition, simple and / or quick use of at least one of the large household appliances and at least the small household appliance can be provided.Furthermore, an automatic and simultaneous connection and / or pairing of the small household appliance with at least two large household appliances can be provided. Furthermore, a particularly high safety standard can be ensured, which allows legal requirements to be met and / or complied with. This, in turn, prevents and / or avoids uncontrolled and / or unwanted connection, as well as misuse of pairing and / or connection, for example, of incorrect and incompatible devices. Furthermore, individual and / or repetitive recalibration of the small household appliance with the household appliances can be avoided.

[0009] The household appliance system is intended for use and / or arrangement in a household, in particular a kitchen. In particular, the household appliance system comprises at least one household appliance object and / or at least one household appliance accessory object, wherein the household appliance system could in particular additionally comprise at least one kitchen object and / or at least one further structural unit, which could in particular be designed differently from a household appliance object and / or from a household appliance, in particular the large household appliances and / or the small household appliance, and / or from a household appliance accessory object. A “household appliance object” is to be understood as at least one part, in particular a subassembly, of a household appliance, in particular a large household appliance and / or a small household appliance.A "household appliance accessory" is understood to mean an object that is advantageously intended for use and / or for use with a household appliance and / or that is designed as at least one accessory and / or as at least one set of accessories for a household appliance. The household appliance system can comprise a plurality of units and / or devices that can be used for handling and / or treating and / or processing and / or storing food.

[0010] The household appliance system could be designed as a cooking system, for example as an oven system, microwave system, steam appliance system, hob system, in particular as an induction hob system, and / or grill appliance system, and / or as a household cleaning appliance system, for example as a dishwasher system and / or washing machine system and / or dryer system, and / or as a household refrigeration appliance system, for example as a refrigerator and / or freezer system.

[0011] In particular, the large household appliance forms a subassembly of the household appliance system. The large household appliance can, for example, be designed as a large household refrigeration appliance, for example a freezer and / or a refrigerator and / or freezer and / or a beverage cooler. The household appliance, in particular designed as a large household refrigeration appliance, could, for example, be intended for the storage and / or preservation and / or cooling of food and / or refrigerated goods, such as beverages and / or meat and / or fish and / or dairy products and / or cosmetics and / or medicines. Alternatively and / or additionally, the large household appliance could be designed as a household cleaning appliance, for example as a dishwasher and / or washing machine and / or dryer, and / or as a cooking appliance, for example as an oven and / or microwave and / or grill.Furthermore, the household appliance designed as a household cleaning appliance could be intended for cleaning, for example, dishes and / or laundry and / or a room and / or a piece of furniture. Preferably, the large household appliance is designed as a cooking appliance, for example, as a microwave and / or a grill and / or a steamer and / or an oven and / or a hob, advantageously as an induction hob.

[0012] In the present case, the household appliance system has a first large household appliance and at least one second large household appliance. The first large household appliance and the second large household appliance could possibly be designed at least substantially identical to one another. It would be conceivable for the first large household appliance and the second large household appliance to be designed as a large household refrigeration appliance and / or as a household cleaning appliance. Preferably, the first large household appliance and at least the large household appliance are designed as a cooking appliance. It would be conceivable for the first large household appliance to be designed, for example, as an oven and the second large household appliance also as an oven. Preferably, the first large household appliance and the second large household appliance are designed as different cooking appliance types. For example, the first large household appliance is designed as a hob and the second large household appliance is designed as an oven.In particular, the first large household appliance and at least the second large household appliance are location-specific.

[0013] It would also be conceivable for the household appliance system to comprise at least one piece of household furniture, in particular in which at least the large household appliance, in particular the first large household appliance and / or the second large household appliance, could be arranged. The household furniture can be designed, for example, as a cupboard, in particular as a food storage cupboard and / or a spice rack. The household furniture can be part of the kitchen.

[0014] The small household appliance could be a location-specific household appliance. Preferably, the small household appliance is a location-independent household appliance. In this context, “location-independent” should be understood to mean that the small household appliance can be positioned freely in a household by a user, and in particular without aids, in particular in contrast to the large household appliance, which is fixedly positioned and / or installed in a specific position in a household, such as the oven and / or the refrigerator and / or the hob. Preferably, the small household appliance is designed as a small kitchen appliance. In an operating state, the small household appliance can provide at least one small household appliance function for handling and / or processing and / or analyzing food.The small household appliance could, for example, be designed, without being limited thereto, as a multifunctional food processor and / or as a blender and / or as a stirrer and / or as a grinder and / or as a kitchen scale or as a kettle or as a coffee machine or as a rice cooker or as a milk frother or as a deep fryer, in particular an air fryer, or as a toaster or as a juicer or as a slicer or as a temperature measuring device, for example as a roasting spit. Furthermore, the small household appliance can also be, for example, a cooking utensil with at least one electrically operated additional function, in particular a pot or pan with an integrated temperature sensor or the like.The small household appliance function may, for example, be, but is not limited to, a cooking function and / or a boiling function and / or a baking function and / or a warming function and / or a keeping warm function and / or a stirring function and / or a sensor function and / or a frying function and / or a mixer function and / or a chopping function and / or a cutting function and / or a grinding function and / or the like.

[0015] Particularly preferably, the large household appliances, in particular the first large household appliance and / or at least the second large household appliance, are designed to supply the small household appliance with energy, in particular electrical energy, advantageously by induction. With the energy provided by at least the large household appliance, the small household appliance can provide at least the small household appliance function.

[0016] In order to advantageously receive and / or receive energy from at least the large household appliance, the small household appliance, in particular, must be connected and / or coupled to at least one of the large household appliances. In particular, the small household appliance is connectable and / or coupleable to at least one of the large household appliances.

[0017] The control environment has at least one communication interface for communication between the small household appliance and the large household appliances. The communication interface can be at least partially integrated into the small household appliance. Alternatively and / or additionally, the communication interface can be at least partially integrated into the large household appliance, in particular the first large household appliance and at least the second large household appliance. The communication interface could be provided for wired and / or preferably wireless communication between the small household appliance and the large household appliances. Furthermore, the communication interface could be provided for communication between the small household appliance and the large household appliances using, for example, a Bluetooth, UWB, LAN, WLAN, WPAN, infrared, NFC, and / or ZigBee connection.Advantageously, the communication interface can be controlled and / or regulated by means of the control environment.

[0018] When determining the relative position of the small household appliance with respect to the large household appliances, the control environment is particularly designed to determine at least one position and / or orientation and / or alignment of the small household appliance with respect to the large household appliances. The control environment could successively determine the relative position of the small household appliance with respect to the large household appliances, in particular first with respect to the first large household appliance and subsequently with respect to the second large household appliance. Preferably, the control environment simultaneously determines the relative position of the small household appliance with respect to at least both large household appliances.

[0019] The control environment can be configured to block and / or refuse and / or disable and / or prevent the connection and / or coupling of the small household appliance with at least one of the large household appliances based on at least the determination result. It would also be conceivable for the control environment to block and / or refuse and / or disable and / or prevent the connection and / or coupling of the small household appliance with at least both large household appliances based on at least the determination result.

[0020] In particular, the control environment is designed to enable and / or enable and / or provide the connection and / or coupling of the small household appliance with at least one large household appliance of the large household appliances based on at least the determination result. Based on at least the determination result, the control environment decides whether the small household appliance can be connected to at least one large household appliance of the large household appliances and, if so, to which of the large household appliances the small household appliance can be connected.

[0021] In this document, numerals such as "first" and "second", which precede certain terms, serve only to differentiate between method steps and / or objects and / or to assign objects to one another and do not imply any existing total number and / or ranking of the objects and / or method steps. In particular, a "second" object and / or method step does not necessarily imply the presence of a "first" object and / or method step. Furthermore, "intended" here and below should be understood to mean specially programmed, designed and / or equipped. The fact that an object is intended for a specific function should be understood to mean that the object fulfills and / or executes this specific function in at least one application and / or operating state.It is further proposed that the determination result include at least a distance between the small household appliance and at least one of the large household appliances. This can increase convenience and efficiency, as a simple and / or quick and / or time-saving determination of a relative position of a small household appliance with respect to at least two large household appliances can be provided. Furthermore, a precise statement regarding the arrangement of the small household appliance with respect to the large household appliances can be made possible, which in particular can quickly and / or conveniently enable and / or block a connection between the small household appliance and at least one of the large household appliances.

[0022] The control environment can perform a distance measurement between the small household appliance and the large household appliances in order to determine the distances of the small household appliance from the large household appliances. In particular, the control environment determines a spatial distance of the small household appliance from at least one of the large household appliances, and preferably from each of the large household appliances.

[0023] In an operating state, the control environment could carry out the distance measurement, for example, by means of a time measurement, during which the control environment in particular detects a time duration required for a light signal to cover the distance between the small household appliance and the large household appliances. The control environment is preferably provided to carry out the distance measurement by means of at least one signal strength measurement. During the signal strength measurement, the control environment can determine a signal strength of at least one signal at the small household appliance and a signal strength of the signal, in particular the same signal, at the large household appliances. The control unit can determine a decrease in signal strength depending on the signal strengths of the signal at the small household appliance and the large household appliances and, based on the decrease in signal strength, in particular the distances between the small household appliance and the household appliances.

[0024] The control environment could connect the small household appliance to the large household appliance to which the small household appliance is located closer and at a smaller distance. For example, the small household appliance could have a first distance of at most 2 cm, advantageously of at most 10 cm, and preferably of at most 20 cm, from the first large household appliance. In addition, the small household appliance could have a second distance of at most 20 cm, advantageously of at most 30 cm, and preferably of at most 50 cm, from the second large household appliance. Based on the first distance and / or the second distance, in particular based on a comparison of the distances, the control environment could connect the small household appliance to the first large household appliance and in particular prevent and / or block a connection between the small household appliance and the second large household appliance, or vice versa.The control environment can connect and / or pair the small household appliance with the large household appliance from which the small household appliance is located at a shorter and / or smaller distance. If the first distance is shorter than the second distance, the control environment can connect and / or pair the small household appliance with the first large household appliance. If the second distance is shorter than the first distance, the control environment can connect and / or pair the small household appliance with the second large household appliance.

[0025] Furthermore, a maximum distance could be specified and / or predefined for each large household appliance, so that if this maximum distance between the small household appliance and the respective large household appliance is exceeded, the control environment can prevent and / or block the connection and / or coupling of the small household appliance with that large household appliance.

[0026] If the determination result includes at least an angular orientation between the small household appliance and at least one of the large household appliances, precision and efficiency can be achieved with regard to a statement regarding the arrangement of a small household appliance relative to the large household appliances, which in particular allows for a quick and / or convenient release and / or blocking of a connection between the small household appliance and at least one of the large household appliances. Furthermore, safety and convenience can be increased.

[0027] The control environment can perform an angle measurement between the small household appliance and the large household appliances in order to determine an orientation and / or alignment and / or positioning of the small household appliance in relation to the large household appliances. The angle measurement can be carried out and / or carried out according to a known method, namely one known to a person skilled in the art. It is also proposed that the control environment be provided for determining a three-dimensional localization of the small household appliance in relation to the large household appliances. This can further improve determination and further increase convenience and efficiency. In addition, the precision with regard to a statement about the arrangement of a small household appliance in relation to the large household appliances can be further optimized and thus, in turn, safety can be improved for at least one user.In particular, the control environment determines the relative position of the small household appliance in three-dimensional space. The three-dimensional localization of the small household appliance can take place in the room and / or room in which at least one of the large household appliances is located. It would be conceivable for the control environment to create and / or perform a three-dimensional analysis and / or determination of the entire room and / or room in order to additionally determine the relative position of the small household appliance in the room and / or room.

[0028] When determining the relative position of the small household appliance, the control environment may possibly access a server in which, for example, previously performed determination results from previous determinations and / or an arrangement and / or configuration of the space and / or room and / or an arrangement and / or configuration of at least one of the large household appliances is / are stored and / or predefined. Advantageously, the server is part of a database environment and can be designed at least partially as a private and / or public server, for example as a private and / or public server on the Internet. The external server can also be designed as a server in a cloud, in particular a private and / or public cloud. Preferably, the database environment is designed as a dedicated computer system or as at least part of a dedicated computer system.The external server can determine the relative position of the small household appliance.

[0029] In order to further increase convenience and efficiency, it is proposed that the control environment be designed to start the detection automatically when the small household appliance is activated. This can provide fast and / or time-saving and / or convenient detection. The small household appliance can possibly be activated automatically when the small household appliance is moved. It would also be conceivable for the user to at least activate the small household appliance. In this context, “automatic” should be understood to mean independently and / or avoiding any operator intervention and / or avoiding any operator input requiring confirmation by the user. Operator intervention includes, for example, operator activities in connection with a confirmation and / or in particular any type of operator activity that differs from the transmission of an operator signal.In particular, the control environment starts the detection automatically when the small household appliance is activated without any additional operator input and / or action by the user to activate the detection.

[0030] It is further proposed that, when at least one of the large household appliances is arranged vertically below the small household appliance, the control environment is designed to refuse connection of the small household appliance to at least the large household appliance depending on at least one type of small household appliance. This can further increase safety and ensure a particularly high safety standard. Furthermore, convenience can be optimized and simple and / or quick use of at least one large household appliance with a small household appliance can be provided.

[0031] In order to further increase safety and convenience, it is also proposed that the control environment is additionally provided to refuse the connection of the small household appliance with at least the large household appliance, depending on a type of large household appliance.

[0032] In this context, the expression "below in terms of height" is to be understood to mean that at least one of the large household appliances can be arranged both directly below the small household appliance in height, but also offset horizontally below the small household appliance. Consequently, this expression also encompasses a vertically offset arrangement of at least one of the large household appliances relative to the small household appliance. In particular, the control environment is designed to permit and / or deny coupling and / or connection to at least one of the large household appliances depending at least on the type of small household appliance.Based on the type of small household appliance, the control environment can determine whether the small household appliance is compatible and / or usable with the large household appliances, in particular the first large household appliance and / or the second large household appliance. Advantageously, the control environment is designed to determine, upon determining the relative position, which of the large household appliances the small household appliance is compatible with and the relative position of the small household appliance to the respective large household appliance.

[0033] For example, if the small household appliance is designed as a multifunctional food processor, the control environment can be provided to permit a connection and / or coupling of the small household appliance to the first large household appliance, which is designed, for example, as a hob, and in particular to simultaneously refuse and / or block a connection and / or coupling of the small household appliance to the second large household appliance, which is designed, for example, as an oven. Furthermore, despite an arrangement of the first large household appliance, for example, in terms of height below the small household appliance, the control environment can enable and / or enable and / or provide the connection and / or coupling between the small household appliance and the large household appliance due to the type of small household appliance and / or the type of large household appliance.

[0034] Furthermore, it is proposed that the control environment be additionally configured to refuse connection of the small household appliance to at least the large household appliance depending on an angular orientation between the small household appliance and the large household appliance. This can optimize the precision in determining a relative position of a small household appliance with respect to at least two large household appliances and increase the security of connecting the small household appliance to at least one of the large household appliances.

[0035] In advantageous embodiments of the invention, it is proposed that the control environment be at least partially integrated into the large household appliances. This makes it possible to provide a convenient, efficient, and compact household appliance system. Preferably, the first large household appliance has a first household appliance control unit. The second large household appliance can have a second household appliance control unit. In particular, the first household appliance control unit and the second household appliance control unit are part of the control environment. In this document, a "control unit" is understood to mean an electrical and / or electronic unit which, in an operating state, controls and / or regulates at least one appliance function and / or at least one main appliance function.The control unit advantageously has at least one computing unit and advantageously, in addition to the computing unit, at least one memory unit in which advantageously at least one control and / or regulating program is stored, which is advantageously intended to be executed by the computing unit.

[0036] In particular, the first household appliance control unit and / or the second household appliance control unit is / are provided to control and / or regulate at least one household appliance function and / or at least one main household appliance function. The first large household appliance and / or the second large household appliance could comprise / could comprise at least one heating unit for heating cookware, specifically for cooking food. The first and / or second household appliance control unit can be provided to control and / or regulate the heating unit, in particular at least one heating element of the heating unit. Advantageously, the household appliance function and / or the main household appliance function is / are a function at least for providing energy, in particular for at least the small household appliance.

[0037] If the first large household appliance is the hob, the first household appliance control unit can be designed accordingly as a hob control unit. If the second large household appliance is the oven, the second household appliance control unit can be designed accordingly as an oven control unit. Alternatively and / or additionally, if the first and / or second large household appliance is, for example, a grill and / or steam appliance or a combination of oven and hob, in particular a stove, it would be conceivable that the first and / or second household appliance control unit is a grill and / or steam appliance control unit or a control unit for controlling and / or regulating the oven and the hob, in particular a stove control unit. It is also proposed that the control environment be at least partially integrated into the small household appliance.This allows for a convenient, efficient and compact household appliance system to be provided.

[0038] The small household appliance preferably has a small appliance control unit. In particular, the small appliance control unit is provided to control and / or regulate at least one small household appliance function and / or at least one small household appliance main function. Advantageously, the small household appliance function and / or the small household appliance main function is a function that can be operated using energy provided by the first large household appliance and / or the second large household appliance. In particular, the small appliance control unit is part of the control environment.

[0039] Furthermore, the invention is based on a method for operating a household appliance system, in particular the aforementioned household appliance system, wherein a relative position of the small household appliance with respect to the large household appliances is determined in particular automatically.

[0040] It is proposed that, based on the result of the determination, a decision be made as to which of the large household appliances the small household appliance is to be connected. Such an operating method can increase convenience in terms of ease of use and achieve a high level of safety. Furthermore, a precise statement can be made about the arrangement of a small household appliance with respect to at least two large household appliances, whereby a quick and / or efficient and / or convenient enabling and / or blocking of a connection of the small household appliance to at least one of the large household appliances can be achieved and / or provided. Furthermore, simple and / or quick use of at least one of the large household appliances with the small household appliance can be provided.

[0041] The household appliance system and / or the large household appliance and / or the small household appliance and / or the method should not be limited to the application and embodiment described above. In particular, the household appliance system and / or the large household appliance and / or the small household appliance and / or the method can have a number of individual elements, components, units, and method steps that differs from the number stated herein to fulfill a functionality described herein. Furthermore, for the value ranges specified in this document, values ​​within the stated limits are also to be considered disclosed and can be used arbitrarily.

[0042] Drawings

[0043] Further advantages will become apparent from the following description of the drawings. The drawings illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The drawings, the description, and the claims contain numerous features in combination. Those skilled in the art will also expediently consider the features individually and combine them into useful further combinations.

[0044] They show:

[0045] Fig. 1 a household appliance system with one small household appliance and at least two large household appliances and

[0046] Fig. 2 shows a schematically illustrated method for operating the household appliance system according to Figure 1.

[0047] Description of the embodiment

[0048] The following figures are schematic representations and not to scale.

[0049] Figure 1 shows a household appliance system 10, which in this case is embodied as a cooking system, by way of example. Alternatively and / or additionally, the household appliance system 10 could also be embodied as a household cleaning appliance system and / or as a household refrigeration appliance system.

[0050] The household appliance system 10 has at least two large household appliances 14, 16, namely a first large household appliance 14 and at least one second large household appliance 16. In the present exemplary embodiment, the household appliance system 10 additionally has a third large household appliance 36. The first large household appliance 14 is designed, for example, as a cooktop, specifically as an induction cooktop. The second large household appliance 16 is designed, for example, as an oven. The third large household appliance 36 is designed, for example, as a microwave. Alternatively and / or additionally, the first large household appliance 14 and / or the second large household appliance 16 and / or the third large household appliance 36 could also be designed as a steamer and / or a grill and / or as another cooking appliance.The following descriptions and explanations relate primarily to the first large household appliance 14 and the second large household appliance 16 and can be applied analogously to at least the third large household appliance 36, even if the third large household appliance 36 is not explicitly mentioned each time.

[0051] The household appliance system 10 comprises a small household appliance 12. The small household appliance 12 is a small kitchen appliance. The small household appliance 12 is location-independent. In this exemplary embodiment, the small household appliance 12 is designed as a multifunctional food processor. Alternatively and / or additionally, the small household appliance 12 can be designed as a mixer and / or as a stirrer and / or as a grinder and / or as a kitchen scale or as a kettle or as a coffee machine or as a rice cooker or as a milk frother or as a deep fryer, in particular an air fryer, or as a toaster or as a juicer or as a slicer or as a temperature measuring device, for example as a roasting spit.

[0052] The large household appliances, specifically the first large household appliance 14 and / or at least the second large household appliance 16, are provided to supply the small household appliance 12 with energy, specifically electrical energy, advantageously by induction. With the energy provided by at least the large household appliance 14, 16, the small household appliance 12 can provide at least one small household appliance function. The small household appliance function can be, for example, but is not limited to, a cooking function and / or a boiling function and / or a baking function and / or a warming function and / or a keeping-warm function and / or a stirring function and / or a sensor function and / or a deep-frying function and / or a mixer function and / or a chopping function and / or a cutting function and / or a grinding function and / or the like.In order to receive and / or receive energy from at least the large household appliance 14, 16, the small household appliance 12 must be connected and / or coupled to at least one of the large household appliances 14, 16.

[0053] For control and / or regulation, the household appliance system 10 has a control environment 18. The control environment 18 is at least partially integrated into the large household appliances 14, 16. The first large household appliance 14 has a first household appliance control unit 32. The second large household appliance 16 has a second household appliance control unit 34. The first household appliance control unit 32 and the second household appliance control unit 34 are part of the control environment 18. The first household appliance control unit 32 and the second household appliance control unit 34 are provided to control and / or regulate at least one household appliance function and / or at least one main household appliance function. For example, the household appliance function and / or the main household appliance function is a function at least for providing energy for at least the small household appliance 12.

[0054] Furthermore, the control environment 18 is at least partially integrated into the small household appliance 12. In this case, the small household appliance 12 has a small appliance control unit 62. The small appliance control unit 62 is part of the control environment 18.

[0055] The control environment 18 is provided for determining a relative position of the small household appliance 12 with respect to at least the large household appliances 14, 16. In the present case, the control environment 18 is provided for simultaneously determining the relative position of the small household appliance 12 with respect to at least the large household appliances 14, 16. In this exemplary embodiment, the control environment 18 is provided for determining a three-dimensional localization of the small household appliance 12 with respect to the large household appliances 14, 16.

[0056] Based on the result of the determination, the control environment 18 is configured to decide which of the large household appliances 14, 16 the small household appliance 12 can be connected to. In this case, the control environment 18 starts the determination automatically upon activation of the small household appliance 12, so that a convenient and / or fast connection and / or coupling between the small household appliance 12 and at least one of the large household appliances 14, 16 can be provided.

[0057] In the present case, the determination result comprises at least one distance 20, 20' between the small household appliance 12 and at least one of the large household appliances 14, 16. It would be conceivable for the control environment 18 to decide, based solely on the distance 20, 20' between the small household appliance 12 and at least one of the large household appliances 14, 16, to which of the large household appliances 14, 16 the small household appliance 12 can be connected. Figure 1 schematically illustrates, by way of example, a first distance 20 between the small household appliance 12 and the first large household appliance 14. Furthermore, Figure 1 schematically shows a second distance 20' between the small household appliance 12 and the second large household appliance 16.Based on the first distance 20 and the second distance 20', for example based on a comparison of the distances 20, 20', the control environment 18 is provided to connect the small household appliance 12 to the first large household appliance 14 or the second large household appliance 16, and in particular to prevent and / or block a connection of the small household appliance 12 to the other large household appliance 14, 16, namely the first large household appliance 14 or the second large household appliance 16. In this exemplary embodiment, the control environment 18 connects and / or couples the small household appliance 12 to the first large household appliance 14.

[0058] In the present case, in order to increase safety and precision in determining the relative position of the small household appliance 12 with respect to the large household appliances 14, 16, the determination result includes at least one angular orientation between the small household appliance 12 and at least one of the large household appliances 14, 16 (not explicitly shown).

[0059] If at least one of the large household appliances 14, 16 is arranged below the small household appliance 12 with respect to a height direction 28, the control environment 18 is provided to refuse connection of the small household appliance 12 to at least the large household appliance 14, 16 depending on at least one type of small household appliance 12. The expression "below with respect to a height direction 28" in this context is to be understood that at least one of the large household appliances 14, 16 can be arranged directly below the small household appliance 12, viewed in the height direction 28, but also that at least one of the large household appliances 14, 16 can be arranged offset in a horizontal direction 38 below the small household appliance 12. In this exemplary embodiment, the first household appliance 14, designed as a hob, is located below the small household appliance 12, viewed in the height direction 28.Furthermore, the second household appliance 16, designed as an oven, is located below the small household appliance 12 with respect to the height direction 28, and offset from the small household appliance 12 with respect to the horizontal direction 38. Furthermore, the control environment 18 is additionally provided to refuse the connection of the small household appliance 12 to at least the large household appliance 14, 16, depending on a type of large household appliance 14, 16.

[0060] In this exemplary embodiment, the control environment 18 is provided to allow a connection and / or coupling of the small household appliance 12 designed as a multifunctional kitchen appliance with the first large household appliance 14, which in this case is designed as a hob, and at the same time to refuse and / or block a connection and / or coupling of the small household appliance 12 with the second large household appliance 16, which in this case is designed as an oven.

[0061] Although the first large household appliance 14 is arranged below the small household appliance 12 with respect to the height direction 28, the control environment 18 can enable and / or enable and / or provide the connection and / or coupling between the small household appliance 12 and the large household appliance 14 due to the type of the small household appliance 12 and / or the type of the large household appliance 14.

[0062] In order to optimize precision in determining a relative position of the small household appliance 12 with respect to the large household appliances 14, 16 and to increase security when connecting the small household appliance 12 to at least the large household appliance 14, 16, the control environment 18 is additionally provided to refuse the connection of the small household appliance 12 to at least the large household appliance 14, 16 depending on an angular orientation between the small household appliance 12 and at least one of the large household appliances 14, 16.

[0063] Figure 2 schematically shows a process flow diagram illustrating a method for operating the household appliance system 10. The method may comprise multiple process steps. Here, the method is described by way of example only with reference to one process step 100. In process step 100, a relative position of the small household appliance 12 with respect to at least the large household appliances 14, 16 is determined. Furthermore, based on the result of the determination, a decision is made as to which of the large household appliances 14, 16 the small household appliance 12 will be connected.

[0064] This can increase security and convenience. Furthermore, a quick and / or efficient and / or convenient enabling and / or blocking of a connection and / or coupling of the small household appliance 12 to at least one of the large household appliances 14, 16 can be provided and / or enabled.

[0065] Reference symbol

[0066] 10 household appliance system

[0067] 12 small household appliances

[0068] 14 Large household appliances

[0069] 16 large household appliances

[0070] 18 Control environment

[0071] 20 distance

[0072] 28 Altitude direction

[0073] 32 household appliance control unit

[0074] 34 Household appliance control unit

[0075] 36 large household appliances

[0076] 38 Horizontal direction

[0077] 62 Small appliance control unit

[0078] 100 process steps

Claims

Claims: A household appliance system (10) comprising at least one small household appliance (12), at least two large household appliances (14, 16), and a control environment (18) for determining the relative position of the small household appliance (12) with respect to the large household appliances (14, 16), characterized in that the control environment (18) is designed to decide, based on at least one determination result, with which of the large household appliances (14, 16) the small household appliance (12) can be connected. A household appliance system (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the determination result comprises at least a distance (20, 20') between the small household appliance (12) and at least one of the large household appliances (14, 16). A household appliance system (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the determination result comprises at least an angular orientation between the small household appliance (12) and at least one of the large household appliances (14, 16).Household appliance system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control environment (18) is provided for determining a three-dimensional localization of the small household appliance (12) with respect to the large household appliances (14, 16). Household appliance system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control environment (18) is provided for automatically starting the determination when the small household appliance (12) is activated. Household appliance system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in an arrangement of at least one of the large household appliances (14, 16) with respect to a height direction (28) below the small household appliance (12), the control environment (18) is provided to refuse the connection of the small household appliance (12) with at least the large household appliance (14, 16) depending on at least one type of small household appliance (12). Household appliance system (10) according to claim 6, characterized in that the control environment (18) is additionally provided to refuse the connection of the small household appliance (12) with at least the large household appliance (14, 16) depending on an angular orientation between the small household appliance (12) and the large household appliance (14, 16).Household appliance system (10) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the control environment (18) is additionally provided to refuse connection of the small household appliance (12) with at least the large household appliance (14, 16), depending on a type of large household appliance (14, 16). Household appliance system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control environment (18) is at least partially integrated into the large household appliances (14, 16). Household appliance system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control environment (18) is at least partially integrated into the small household appliance (12). Large household appliance (14, 16), in particular a cooking appliance, of a household appliance system (10) according to any one of the preceding claims. Small household appliance (12), in particular a small kitchen appliance, of a household appliance system (10) according to one of claims 1 to 10. Method for operating a household appliance system (10), in particular according to one of claims 1 to 10, with at least one small household appliance (12) and with at least two large household appliances (14, 16), wherein a relative position of the small household appliance (12) with respect to the large household appliances (14, 16) is determined, characterized in that, based on a determination result of the determination, a decision is made as to which of the large household appliances (14, 16) the small household appliance (12) is connected.

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