Apparatus and method for controlling a room air laundry dryer, room air laundry dryer, and server or cloud based computer system

Abstract

The present invention proposes a device (100) for controlling a clothes dryer (10). The device (100) comprises at least one processing logic (110) configured to receive a first sensor signal (S1) indicating at least one humidity level in the vicinity of the clothes dryer (10), and at least one second signal (S2) indicating an additional switch-on or switch-off condition for the clothes dryer (10). The processing logic (110) is configured to generate an output signal (S3) for controlling the operation of the clothes dryer (10) based on the first sensor signal (S1) and the at least one second signal (S2). Furthermore, the present invention proposes a clothes dryer (10) with such a device (100), a server- or cloud-based computer system, and a method for controlling a clothes dryer (10).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to the control, e.g., control and / or regulation, of a room air dryer and / or its operation. In particular, the present invention relates to a device for controlling a room air dryer, a room air dryer comprising such a device, a server- or cloud-based computer system, and a method for controlling, e.g., control and / or regulation, a room air dryer. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] A room air dryer works in the same way as, or in a similar way to, a room dehumidifier, based on the condensation principle. Typically, such a room air dryer is used to dry laundry. For this purpose, such a room air dryer is typically operated in a drying room and switched on manually to dry laundry hung up in the drying room. For energy efficiency reasons, for example, it is desirable to switch the room air dryer off, if possible, or at least switch it off shortly thereafter, i.e. to put it out of operation, when the laundry has dried to the desired degree. In this case, measuring the air humidity in the drying room is only of limited use, since even when the air humidity in the drying room drops, an undesirably high proportion of residual water can still be present in the laundry.It is therefore desirable to create a way to switch a room air dryer on and / or off that is as user-friendly and / or energy-efficient as possible.

[0003] For example, from CN 105182899 A an automatic control of a tumble dryer is known in which a humidity is detected at the outlet of a top of the tumble dryer.

[0004] CN 108018691 A discloses a tumble dryer in which the humidity inside the drum is measured and used to control the tumble dryer. Using a mobile phone, a time can be specified via a message sent to the tumble dryer, after which the tumble dryer is switched off.

[0005] From CN 101210379 A a drum tumble dryer is known which uses a thermostat instead of a humidity sensor to control the drum tumble dryer. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The object of the invention is to provide an improved possibility for controlling a room air dryer using the simplest possible means.

[0007] This object is achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Exemplary embodiments emerge from the dependent claims and the following description.

[0008] According to a first aspect, a device for controlling a room air dryer is proposed. The device has at least one

[0009] Processing logic. The processing logic is configured to receive a first sensor signal that indicates at least one humidity level in the environment of the room air dryer. Furthermore, the processing logic is configured to receive at least one second signal that indicates an additional switch-on or switch-off condition for the room air dryer in addition to the first sensor signal. Furthermore, the processing logic is configured to generate an output signal for controlling operation of the room air dryer based on the first sensor signal and the at least one second signal.

[0010] The proposed device makes it possible to improve the control, e.g., open-loop and / or closed-loop control, of the operation of a room air dryer by not only recording and evaluating the air humidity in the drying room, but also taking into account at least one further switch-on or switch-off condition. This makes it possible, for example, to ensure that the laundry to be dried is dried to a desired degree of dryness and that the room air dryer is not switched off too early. Furthermore, it is possible to ensure that the room air dryer is switched off reliably and in a timely manner, for example to prevent overheating for safety reasons. Furthermore, it is possible to operate the device with a high degree of automation. Furthermore, it is possible to ensure that the device can be switched on and / or off at least largely automatically.

[0011] As used herein, a room air dryer can be understood to mean a device that functions in particular in the same way as or similarly to a room dehumidifier or the like according to the condensation principle.

[0012] The moisture is removed from the ambient air of the room air dryer (i.e., moist air) by a dehumidifier and a refrigeration unit. The air is cooled below its dew point, the water vapor condenses, and the air is passed through a condenser. The air is then returned to the environment with a correspondingly lower humidity by means of at least one fan. Condensate can be collected in a container. The room air dryer can be used, for example, to dry laundry in a room, e.g., in a drying room or similar, within a building. The room air dryer can be designed as a mobile device or for permanent installation in a room.

[0013] The first sensor signal can be generated and / or received by a first sensor, e.g., a temperature and / or humidity sensor. The temperature and / or humidity sensor can be arranged and / or configured to detect, measure, or the like the humidity or air humidity and / or the temperature in the environment of the room air dryer, ie, around the room air dryer.

[0014] The second signal can be received by various transmitters, e.g., means, devices, or the like. For example, the second signal can be generated using device-specific and / or room air dryer-specific means, etc., and made available to the processing logic. For example, the second signal can be generated by at least one further sensor that is different from the first sensor generating the first sensor signal, a remote control, or the device, e.g., based on the selection of a specific operating mode. The switch-on or switch-off condition for the room air dryer that is additional to the first sensor signal can, for example, be a specific sensor result, a specific remote control command from a user, a specific operating mode of the room air dryer, such as a hold function for a specific humidity in the environment of the room air dryer, or the like.

[0015] The processing logic can be implemented electrically and / or electronically. For example, it can comprise at least one circuit, a switching circuit, or the like. The processing electronics can also be implemented, for example, as an integrated circuit, application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field-programmable gate array (FPGA), microprocessor, data processor, or the like. The processing logic can, for example, be arranged and / or formed on one or more substrates, such as a circuit board. The device with the processing logic can be considered a control device of the room air dryer.

[0016] To receive the first sensor signal and the at least one second signal, the device and / or the processing logic may comprise at least one corresponding signal interface, data interface, such as an interface circuit or an interface circuit, a communication interface, such as a mobile radio interface, radio interface, e.g., a WLAN interface, network interface, or the like. The device may also comprise a service interface for device maintenance, etc. The service interface may be configured for wired or wireless communication.

[0017] The device may have a mains connection with which the device and / or the room air dryer equipped therewith can be supplied with electrical energy.

[0018] It should be noted that the term "control" as used herein may include controlling and / or regulating.

[0019] According to a further development, the processing logic can be configured to selectively switch the air dryer on or off automatically using the output signal. In other words, the processing logic can cause the air dryer to selectively switch on or off without direct user input on-site at the air dryer. This enables both automatic switching on and automatic switching off without direct user input at the air dryer. Although the device and / or the air dryer equipped therewith can have a control panel for direct user input.

[0020] In a further development, the processing logic can be configured to switch the room air dryer on using the output signal if the air humidity reaches or exceeds a specific threshold value according to the first sensor signal and the at least one second signal indicates the switch-on condition of the room air dryer, and otherwise switch the room air dryer off or leave it switched off. For example, the switch-on condition indicated by the second signal can indicate or indicate the presence of laundry in the vicinity of the room air dryer, e.g., through corresponding sensor detection of the environment. The evaluation of the first sensor signal can be carried out, e.g., by a logical AND operation, whereby the corresponding processing logic is not restricted in this respect and other, more complex logics can also be provided.For example, if the threshold value for the air humidity is reached or exceeded and the presence of laundry in the vicinity of the room air dryer is detected at the same time, the device can switch the room air dryer on. The corresponding switching off of the room air dryer can occur, for example, when the second signal no longer indicates any laundry in the vicinity of the room air dryer, e.g. because it has since been removed, etc. As a further example, if the threshold value for the air humidity is reached or exceeded and a remote control signal is present as the second signal, the device can switch the device on. The switching off of the room air dryer can occur in each case using the reverse logic. However, switching the room air dryer on and off is not limited to the above examples.

[0021] According to a further development, the at least one second signal can comprise a second sensor signal. The second sensor signal can be configured, alone or in combination with the first sensor signal, to indicate the presence of laundry to be dried in the environment of the room air dryer. For this purpose, the device or the room air dryer equipped therewith can have at least one corresponding second sensor configured to detect and / or monitor the environment of the room air dryer. For example, the second sensor can be designed as a presence sensor, room presence sensor, motion sensor, or the like. Further by way of example, the at least one presence sensor can be based on a distance measurement between the room air dryer and an object arranged in its environment or use such a measuring principle.The at least one second sensor can be arranged on the indoor air dryer such that its field of view is aligned with a direction of action of the dehumidification device and / or a fan thereof. The at least one second sensor can be selected from: ultrasonic sensor, radar sensor, optical sensor, infrared sensor, and time-of-flight (TOF) sensor. This allows the device to specifically switch on the indoor air dryer when it can be assumed that laundry to be dried is actually located in the vicinity of the indoor air dryer. Likewise, the device can specifically switch off the indoor air dryer when there is no laundry to be dried in the vicinity of the indoor air dryer.

[0022] In a further development, the second sensor signal can be configured to indicate the presence of at least one object in a field of view of a sensor associated with the second sensor signal. In other words, the second sensor can be configured to detect and / or determine whether a solid object is located in front of the air dryer. The device can thus specifically switch on the air dryer when it can be assumed that laundry to be dried is actually located in the vicinity of the air dryer. Likewise, the device can specifically switch off the air dryer when there is no laundry to be dried in the vicinity of the air dryer.

[0023] According to a further development, the processing logic can be configured to evaluate at least the second sensor signal with regard to the presence of laundry to be dried in the environment of the room air dryer and to generate the output signal based thereon.

[0024] In a further development, the processing logic can be configured to evaluate the second sensor signal over time and, based on detecting the presence of at least one object that has remained static over time, to determine the presence of laundry to be dried in the vicinity of the indoor air dryer. In other words, the device can determine, based on the second sensor signal, whether there is a fixed object in front of the indoor air dryer. If this object does not move over time, it can be assumed that the object is laundry, e.g., laundry hanging on a line, a rack, etc. Based on this evaluation, the device can switch on the indoor air dryer. If the second sensor signal then no longer indicates an object, the device can switch the indoor air dryer off again.

[0025] According to a further development, the at least one second signal can comprise a remote control signal. The remote control signal can be received by an end-user device and / or a smart home device. The remote control signal can be generated by a user, e.g., via a corresponding user input, and sent to the device. The device can, if necessary, prioritize the remote control signal so that the remote control signal can also override the second sensor signal and / or first sensor signal. This means that the device can switch the room air dryer on or off using the remote control signal even when the room air dryer should actually be switched on or off using the second sensor signal and / or first sensor signal.Alternatively, the second sensor signal and the remote control signal can also be combined, so that the device can only switch the air dryer on or off when multiple switch-on or switch-off conditions are met. For example, the end-user device can execute a corresponding application that allows remote control of the device and / or the air dryer equipped with it. Alternatively or additionally, the processing logic can also receive the second signal from a control panel of the device and / or the air dryer, which can be configured for user input.

[0026] In a further development, the at least one second signal can be assigned to the switch-on condition of a holding function for a desired humidity in the environment of the room air dryer. The processing logic can be configured to control and / or regulate the room air dryer using the output signal to maintain the desired humidity. For example, the device can also be operated in several different operating modes, such as an operating mode for automatically switching the room air dryer on and off or the holding function for a desired humidity. The at least one second signal can indicate the correspondingly selected operating mode.If the device and / or the room air dryer equipped therewith is operated in the maintenance function for a desired humidity level, the device can selectively switch the room air dryer on and off alternately based on the first sensor signal and the at least one second signal in order to maintain the desired humidity in the area surrounding the room air dryer. This can, for example, prevent or at least reduce the formation of mold in the drying room.

[0027] According to a further development, the at least one second signal can be assigned to the switch-off condition of a desired drying value of laundry to be dried. The processing logic can be configured to control the indoor air dryer for switching off using the output signal. For example, the device can be operated in multiple operating modes, such as an operating mode for automatically switching the indoor air dryer on and off or the holding function for a desired air humidity. For example, the device can also be operated in multiple different operating modes, such as an operating mode for automatically switching the indoor air dryer on and off or the holding function for a desired air humidity. The at least one second signal can indicate the correspondingly selected operating mode.If the device and / or the air dryer equipped therewith is operated in an operating mode in which the device and / or the air dryer equipped therewith specifies a desired drying value for the laundry to be dried, the device can selectively switch off the air dryer based on the first sensor signal and the at least one second signal when the desired drying value is determined to have been reached based on at least the first sensor signal. This allows for automatic shutdown of the air dryer in conjunction with a desired drying value.

[0028] In a further development, the processing logic can be configured to determine a humidity increase over time based on the first sensor signal. The processing logic can be configured to control the room air dryer by means of the output signal to switch it back on again based on the determination of the humidity increase when the humidity increase reaches or exceeds a specific threshold. For example, based on the first sensor signal, it can be determined whether a specific threshold, e.g. a target value, for the drying value has been reached or exceeded in order to trigger the room air dryer to be switched off based thereon. Then, over time, e.g. in a test phase, it can be determined whether there will be a renewed increase in humidity after the room air dryer has been switched off.If a renewed increase in humidity is detected, this can serve as an indicator that the laundry to be dried has not, or has not yet, reached the desired dryness level. In this case, the processing logic can initiate the indoor air dryer's restart. This can be repeated until the desired dryness level is reached or a different or additional shutdown condition is determined.

[0029] According to a further development, the processing logic can be configured to output status data of the indoor air dryer to at least one of an end-user device, a smart home device, and a server- or cloud-based computer system. For example, the device can provide the first sensor data, the second sensor data, or the like. Alternatively or additionally, further status data, maintenance instructions, or the like can also be output. For example, a blockage of a lint filter of the indoor air dryer, a fill level of the condensate collected in a container, or the like could be provided.

[0030] In a further development, the device can be configured to establish a functional connection with at least one additional room air dryer. The device can also be configured to control the at least one additional room air dryer in a master-slave mode. This makes it possible to provide a modular and / or scalable room air dryer comprising several individual, e.g., smaller-sized room air dryers.

[0031] According to a second aspect, a room air dryer is proposed. The room air dryer has at least one dehumidification device and a device according to the first aspect. The device is coupled to the dehumidification device and configured to control, e.g., to control and / or regulate, the operation of the room air dryer and / or the dehumidification device.

[0032] The room air dryer and / or the device can be further developed according to the first aspect.

[0033] In a further development, the dehumidification device can have at least one fan. The at least one fan can be configured to deliver a directed air flow into the environment of the room air dryer.

[0034] According to a further development, the indoor air dryer can have at least one presence sensor. The presence sensor can be configured to generate the second signal, i.e., the second sensor signal. The second signal can be configured to indicate, alone or in combination with the first sensor signal, the presence of laundry to be dried in the vicinity of the indoor air dryer.

[0035] In a further development, the at least one presence sensor can be based on a distance measurement between the room air dryer and an object arranged in its surroundings.

[0036] According to a further development, the at least one presence sensor can be arranged on the indoor air dryer such that its field of view is aligned with the direction of action of the dehumidification device and / or a fan thereof. This makes it possible to detect whether laundry is present in the direction of action of the dehumidification device and / or the fan. Upon detection of laundry, the indoor air dryer can be switched on automatically.

[0037] In a further development, the at least one presence sensor can be selected from: ultrasonic sensor, radar sensor, optical sensor, infrared sensor, and time-of-flight (TOF) sensor.

[0038] According to a further development, the indoor air dryer, e.g. also the device, can have at least one communication interface. The indoor air dryer can be configured to communicate with at least one of an end-user device, a smart home device, and a server- or cloud-based computer system via a data network. For example, the end-user device can execute a corresponding application that allows remote control of the device and / or the indoor air dryer equipped therewith. Likewise, the smart home device can allow remote control. This can optionally be done via the server- or cloud-based computer system.

[0039] In a further development, the room air dryer, e.g., also the device, can have at least one device interface. The room air dryer can be configured to establish a functional connection with at least one other room air dryer for master-slave operation. The connection between the room air dryers can be wired or wireless. This makes it possible to provide a modular and / or scalable room air dryer comprising several individual, e.g., smaller-sized room air dryers.

[0040] According to a third aspect, a server- or cloud-based computer system is proposed. The server- or cloud-based computer system can be configured to communicate with at least one indoor air dryer according to the second aspect and / or a device according to the first aspect and at least one of an end-user device and a smart home device via a data network and to exchange data between them.

[0041] According to a fourth aspect, a method for controlling a room air dryer is proposed. The method comprises receiving a first sensor signal that indicates at least one humidity level in the environment of the room air dryer. Furthermore, the method comprises receiving at least one second signal that indicates a switch-on condition or switch-off condition for the room air dryer in addition to the first sensor signal. Furthermore, the method comprises generating an output signal for controlling operation of the room air dryer based on the first sensor signal and the at least one second signal.

[0042] The method can be carried out in particular using the device according to the first aspect and / or the room air dryer according to the second aspect.

[0043] The aspects, embodiments, variants, and examples described above can, of course, be combined without this being explicitly described. Each of the described developments and each example is therefore optional for each of the aspects, embodiments, variants, and examples, or even combinations thereof. The present disclosure is therefore not limited to the individual embodiments and embodiment variants in the described order or to a specific combination of the aspects and embodiment variants. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] The invention is explained below with reference to the figures of the drawings. The figures show: Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a device for controlling a room air dryer according to one embodiment. Fig. 2 shows a schematic exploded view of a room air dryer with a device for controlling the same according to one embodiment. Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of a server- or cloud-based computer system according to one embodiment, which can be coupled to a device, a room air dryer and / or an end-user device or a smart home device. Fig. 4 shows a schematic representation of a master-slave arrangement of at least two room air dryers.

[0045] In the figures, the same reference symbols denote identical or functionally identical components, unless otherwise stated. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0046] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of an exemplary device 100 for controlling an exemplary room air dryer 10. The room air dryer 10 can be used, for example, to dry laundry 200, in particular hung laundry, in a room, e.g., in a drying room or the like, of a building. The room air dryer 10 can be designed as a mobile device or configured for permanent installation in a room. It should be noted that the device 100 is arranged separately from the room air dryer 10 only for better illustration and can be part of or even an integral component of the room air dryer 10.

[0047] The device 100 has at least one processing logic 110. The processing logic 110 is configured to receive a first sensor signal S1, which indicates at least one humidity in the environment of the room air dryer 10. Furthermore, the processing logic 110 is configured to receive at least one second signal S2, which indicates a switch-on condition or switch-off condition for the room air dryer 10 in addition to the first sensor signal S1. Furthermore, the processing logic 110 is configured to generate an output signal S3 for controlling operation of the room air dryer 10 based on the first sensor signal S1 and the at least one second signal S2.

[0048] The first sensor signal S1 can be generated and / or received by a first sensor 12, e.g., a temperature and / or humidity sensor. The temperature and / or humidity sensor can be arranged and / or configured to detect, measure, or the like the humidity or air humidity and / or the temperature in the environment of the room air dryer 10, i.e., around the room air dryer 10. It should be noted that the first sensor 12 can be part of the room air dryer 10 or the device 100.

[0049] The second signal S2 can be received by various transmitters, e.g., means, devices, or the like. For example, the second signal S2 can be generated by device-specific and / or room air dryer-specific means, etc., and made available to the processing logic. For example, the second signal can be generated by at least one further, second sensor 14, which is different from the first sensor 12 generating the first sensor signal S1, a remote control, or the device, e.g., based on the selection of a specific operating mode. It should be noted that the second sensor 14 can be part of the room air dryer 10 or the device 100.The switch-on or switch-off condition for the room air dryer that is additional to the first sensor signal S1 can be, for example, a specific sensor result, a specific remote control command from a user, a specific operating mode of the room air dryer 10, such as a hold function for a specific humidity in the environment of the room air dryer 10, or the like.

[0050] The processing logic 110 can be implemented electrically and / or electronically. For example, it can comprise at least one circuit, a switching circuit, or the like. The processing electronics can also be implemented, for example, as an integrated circuit, application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field-programmable gate array (FPGA), microprocessor, data processor, or the like. The processing logic 110 can, for example, be arranged and / or formed on one or more substrates, such as a printed circuit board. The device 100 with the processing logic 110 can be regarded as a control device of the room air dryer 10.

[0051] To receive the first sensor signal S1 and the at least one second signal S2, the device 100 and / or the processing logic 110 may have at least one corresponding signal interface, data interface, such as an interface circuit or an interface circuit, a communication interface, such as a mobile radio interface, radio interface, e.g., WLAN interface, network interface, or the like. The device 100 may also have a service interface for device maintenance, etc. The service interface may be configured for wired or wireless communication.

[0052] The processing logic 110 can be configured to automatically switch the air dryer 10 on or off using the output signal. For example, the processing logic 110 can be configured to switch the air dryer 10 on using the output signal S3 if the air humidity reaches or exceeds a certain threshold according to the first sensor signal and the at least one second signal S2 indicates a corresponding switch-on condition for the air dryer, and to otherwise switch the air dryer 10 off or leave it switched off.

[0053] In at least some embodiments, the second signal S2 can comprise a second sensor signal. The second sensor signal can be configured, alone or in combination with the first sensor signal, to indicate the presence of laundry to be dried in the environment of the room air dryer 10. For example, the environment of the room air dryer 10 can be detected and / or monitored by means of the second sensor 14. For example, the second sensor 14 can be designed as a presence sensor, room presence sensor, motion sensor, or the like. Further by way of example, the at least one second sensor 14 can be based on a distance measurement between the room air dryer 10 and an object arranged in its environment, e.g., the hung laundry 200, or can use such a measuring principle.The at least one second sensor 14 can be arranged on the room air dryer 10 such that its field of view is aligned with the effective direction of its dehumidification device and / or its fan. The at least one second sensor 14 can be selected from: ultrasonic sensor, radar sensor, optical sensor, infrared sensor, and time-of-flight (TOF) sensor.

[0054] In at least some embodiments, the at least one second signal S2 may comprise a remote control signal. The remote control signal may be receivable, for example, by an end-user device and / or a smart home device. The remote control signal may be generated by a user, e.g., via a corresponding user input, and sent to the device 100.

[0055] In at least some embodiments, the at least one second signal S2 can be assigned to the activation condition of a maintenance function for a desired humidity in the environment of the room air dryer 10. The processing logic 110 can be configured to control and / or regulate the room air dryer 10 using the output signal S3 to maintain the desired humidity.

[0056] In at least some embodiments, the at least one second signal S2 can be assigned to the switch-off condition of a desired drying value of laundry to be dried. The processing logic 110 can be configured to control the indoor air dryer 10 to switch off using the output signal S3. The device 100, e.g. the processing logic 110, can specifically switch off the indoor air dryer 10 based on the first sensor signal S1 and the at least one second signal S2 when the desired drying value is determined to have been reached based on at least the first sensor signal S1. In at least some embodiments, the processing logic can be configured to determine a humidity increase over time based on the first sensor signal S1.The processing logic 110 can be configured, based on the determination of the humidity increase, to control the indoor air dryer 10 by means of the output signal S3 to switch it back on when the humidity increase reaches or exceeds a specific threshold. For example, based on the first sensor signal S1, it can be determined whether a specific threshold, e.g., a target value, for the drying value has been reached or exceeded, in order to trigger the switching off of the indoor air dryer 10 based thereon. Then, over time, e.g., in a test phase, it can be determined whether a renewed increase in humidity occurs after the indoor air dryer 10 has been switched off. If a renewed increase in humidity is determined, this can serve as an indicator that the laundry to be dried has not, or has not yet, reached the desired drying value.In this case, the processing logic 110 can initiate the reactivation of the indoor air dryer 10. This can be repeated until the desired degree of drying is achieved or another or further shutdown condition is determined.

[0057] Fig. 2 shows a schematic exploded view of the indoor air dryer 10 with the device 100 described herein. The indoor air dryer 10 has a housing 16 in which, in addition to the components explained below, the device 100 is also arranged, namely as a circuit board or the like. The first sensor 12 and the second sensor 14 can be arranged in any suitable position. The second sensor 14 is ideally arranged such that its field of view is directed towards the surroundings of the indoor air dryer 10 in order to detect the laundry 200 to be hung or hung there as present or absent or not present. The indoor air dryer 10 further has a fan device or at least one fan 18. In addition, the indoor air dryer 10 has a refrigeration unit 20, which in turn can have an evaporator, a condenser, a compressor, and the like.Furthermore, the indoor air dryer 10 has an outlet grille 22 and an intake grille 24 with a lint filter. Furthermore, the indoor air dryer 10 has a container 26, e.g., a drip tray, for collecting condensate. The fan 18 and the cooling unit 20 together can also be considered a dehumidification device.

[0058] Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of a server- or cloud-based computer system 300. This can be used, for example, to establish communication between the device 100 and an end-user device 400. However, it is also conceivable that the end-user device 400 communicates directly with the device 100.

[0059] The end-user device 400, which may be a smartphone, tablet computer, laptop, or the like, may be configured to generate the second signal S2 in the form of a remote control signal and send it to the device 100. Alternatively or in addition to the end-user device, a smart home device may also be used. For example, the end-user device 400 may execute a corresponding application that allows remote control, status monitoring, etc. of the device 100 and / or the room air dryer 10 equipped therewith. The remote control may comprise at least one of the following functions: switching on and / or off the room air dryer 10, adjusting at least one drying parameter of the room air dryer 10, setting a desired operating mode from a plurality of operating modes, such asa holding function for a desired humidity in the environment of the room air dryer 10, receiving status data of the room air dryer 10, etc.

[0060] In at least some embodiments, processing logic 110 may be configured to output status data of the indoor air dryer 10 to the end-user device 400, a smart home device, and the server- or cloud-based computer system 300. For example, the device 100 may provide the first sensor data S1 and / or the second sensor data S2. Alternatively or additionally, further status data, maintenance instructions, or the like may also be output. For example, a blockage of the lint filter of the indoor air dryer 10, a fill level of the condensate collected in the container 26, or the like could be provided.

[0061] Fig. 4shows a schematic representation of a master-slave arrangement of at least two room air dryers 10 and 10'. The two room air dryers 10 and 10' can be controlled, i.e., controlled and / or regulated, by means of the common device 100. The two room air dryers 10 and 10' can be identical in construction or at least compatible with each other.

[0062] Accordingly, the device 100 can be configured to establish a functional connection with the additional room air dryer 10'. The device 100 can further be configured to control the at least one additional room air dryer 10' in a master-slave mode.

[0063] A method for controlling the room air dryer 10, 10' may comprise receiving a first sensor signal (S1) that indicates at least one air humidity in the environment of the room air dryer (10). Furthermore, the method may comprise receiving at least one second signal (S2) that indicates a switch-on condition or switch-off condition for the room air dryer (10) in addition to the first sensor signal (S1). Furthermore, the method may comprise generating an output signal (S3) for controlling operation of the room air dryer (10) based on the first sensor signal (S1) and the at least one second signal (S2). LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0064] 10Room air dryer 12First sensor (e.g. temperature and / or humidity sensor) 14Second sensor (e.g. presence sensor or similar) 16Housing 18Fan 20Cooling unit 22Discharge grille 24Intake grille 26Container 100Device 110Processing logic S1First sensor signal S2Second signal (e.g. second sensor signal, remote control signal, operating mode, etc.) S3Output signal (e.g. control signal) 200Laundry 300Server- or cloud-based computer system 400End-user device

Claims

1. Device (100) for controlling a room air dryer (10), comprising at least one processing logic (110) which is configured to receive a first sensor signal (S1) which indicates at least one air humidity in the environment of the room air dryer (10), and at least one second signal (S2) which indicates a switch-on condition or switch-off condition for the room air dryer (10) in addition to the first sensor signal (S1), and to generate an output signal (S3) for controlling an operation of the room air dryer (10) based on the first sensor signal (S1) and the at least one second signal (S2).

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the processing logic (110) is configured to automatically switch the room air dryer (10) on or off by means of the output signal (S3).

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the processing logic (110) is configured to switch on the room air dryer (10) by means of the output signal (S3) when the air humidity reaches or exceeds a certain threshold value according to the first sensor signal (S1) and the at least one second signal (S2) indicates the switch-on condition of the room air dryer (10), and otherwise switch off the room air dryer (10) or to leave it switched off.

4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one second signal (S2) comprises a second sensor signal which is designed to indicate, alone or in combination with the first sensor signal (S1), a presence of laundry (200) to be dried in the environment of the room air dryer (10).

5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one second signal (S2) comprises a remote control signal receivable by an end user device (400) and / or a smart home device.

6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one second signal (S2) is assigned to the switch-on condition of a holding function for a desired air humidity in the environment of the room air dryer (10) and the processing logic (110) is configured to control the room air dryer (10) by means of the output signal (S3) to maintain the desired air humidity.

7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one second signal (S2) is assigned to the switch-off condition of a desired drying value of laundry to be dried and the processing logic (110) is configured to control the room air laundry dryer (10) by means of the output signal (S3) to switch it off.

8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the processing logic (110) is configured to output status data of the room air dryer (10) to at least one of an end user device (400), a smart home device, and a server- or cloud-based computer system (300).

9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device (100) is configured to establish a functional connection with at least one further room air dryer (10') and to control it in a master-slave operation.

10. A room air dryer, comprising: a dehumidification device (18, 20) and a device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, which is coupled to the dehumidification device (18, 20) and is configured to control operation of the room air dryer (10) and / or the dehumidification device (18, 20).

11. Room air dryer according to claim 10, wherein the dehumidification device comprises at least one fan (18) which is designed to emit a directed air flow into the environment of the room air dryer (10).

12. Room air dryer according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the room air dryer has at least one presence sensor (14) which is configured to generate the second signal (S2).

13. Room air dryer according to claim 12, wherein the at least one presence sensor (14) is arranged on the room air dryer (10) such that its field of view is aligned with an effective direction of the dehumidification device (18, 20) and / or a fan (18) thereof.

14. A server- or cloud-based computer system (300) configured to communicate with and exchange data between at least one room air dryer (10, 10') according to any one of claims 10 to 13 and at least one of an end-user device (400) and a smart home device via a data network.

15. A method for controlling a room air dryer (10, 10'), the method comprising: receiving a first sensor signal (S1) indicating at least one air humidity in the environment of the room air dryer (10), receiving at least one second signal (S2) indicating a switch-on condition or switch-off condition for the room air dryer (10) in addition to the first sensor signal (S1), and generating an output signal (S3) for controlling an operation of the room air dryer (10) based on the first sensor signal (S1) and the at least one second signal (S2).

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