Control of a household appliance

Abstract

The invention relates to a system (100) comprising a household appliance (105) which can be controlled on the basis of a function parameter (120, 125), wherein the household appliance (105) is designed to store first function parameters (120), and additionally an external location (110) which is designed to store first (120) and second function parameters (125). The first function parameters (120) on the household appliance (105) and the second function parameters (125) can be edited by means of an application (115) connected to the external location (110). In the process, the first function parameters (120) are transmitted from the household appliance (105) to the external location (110).

Description

[0001] Controlling a household appliance

[0002] The present invention relates to the control of a household appliance. In particular, the invention relates to the control of a household appliance using various input devices.

[0003] A household appliance comprises a processing device and a data memory. A functional parameter can be stored in the data memory, which can be used to control the operation of the household appliance. For example, the household appliance can comprise a washing machine, and different functional parameters can be provided for the treatment of whites, coloreds, or delicates. A user can change such a functional parameter on the appliance and thus adapt a function of the household appliance to their needs.

[0004] Control elements on household appliances can be ill-suited for extensive adjustments to functional parameters. It is therefore common practice to limit the number of functional parameters of the household appliance that can be changed on the appliance itself. If the user wishes to change or create additional functional parameters, they can use an application that runs on a smartphone, for example. A created or changed functional parameter can then be uploaded to the household appliance. If the household appliance is not permanently connected to a network for communication with the smartphone, data can also be exchanged via a location external to the household appliance. In this case, a functional parameter can be synchronized with the external location in a first step and with the household appliance in a second step.

[0005] If functional parameters are changed from different applications, overlaps can occur, resulting in unclear or misleading statuses for a functional parameter. This can lead to a misconfiguration that could jeopardize the operation of the household appliance.

[0006] One object underlying the present invention is to provide an improved technology for controlling a household appliance with respect to a functional parameter. The invention achieves this object by means of the subject matter of the independent claims. Subclaims specify preferred embodiments.

[0007] According to a first aspect of the invention, a system comprises a household appliance that can be controlled based on a functional parameter (and / or based on first and second functional parameters); wherein the household appliance is configured to store first functional parameters (and, in one embodiment, optionally also second functional parameters). Furthermore, the system comprises a location external to the household appliance that is configured to store first and second functional parameters. The first functional parameters can be changed and / or edited on the household appliance, and the second functional parameters can be changed and / or edited using an application connected to the external location. The first functional parameters are transmitted from the household appliance to the external location. In one embodiment, the first functional parameters can be transmitted unidirectionally, i.e., only from the household appliance to the external location, but not in the opposite direction.In a further embodiment, the first functional parameters can also be changed from the external location.

[0008] By distinguishing between first and second function parameters, different data sovereignties (single source of truth) can be created. For each data sovereignty, a location can be defined where the valid value for a function parameter is available in the event of a conflict. This way, conflicting changes to a function parameter cannot lead to an undefined state, an invalid function parameter, or inoperable control of the household appliance. The external location can serve as a buffer (cache) for first function parameters for an application. In this way, always valid first and second function parameters can be displayed and, if necessary, edited in the application.

[0009] In one embodiment, the household appliance has data sovereignty over the first functional parameters, and the external location has data sovereignty over the second functional parameters, so that in the event of a conflict (and / or an inconsistency between functional parameters stored at different locations), the respectively valid value for a first functional parameter is available at the household appliance and the respectively valid value for a second functional parameter is available at the external location. It is preferred that a change to a first functional parameter at the external location and / or a transmission of a changed first functional parameter to the household appliance is only possible if a communication connection exists between the household appliance and the external location.

[0010] This ensures that data sovereignty over the initial functional parameters remains with the household appliance. A user can conveniently edit an initial functional parameter using the application, but there is no risk of causing a misconfiguration or a concurrent change to an initial functional parameter.

[0011] For a function of the household appliance, a selection of one of the function parameters can be determined, and the function can be controlled based on the selected function parameter. The function parameter can be selected on the household appliance or via the application. If a second function parameter has been selected, it can be loaded into the household appliance from the external location before the function of the household appliance is controlled. It is preferred that the transmission of a second function parameter from the external location to the household appliance be controlled automatically.

[0012] The transmission of the second functional parameter is further preferably unilateral. A change to a second functional parameter on the household appliance and / or a transmission of a changed second functional parameter to the external location is preferably excluded. The transmission of a second functional parameter from the household appliance to the external location may not be provided. In another embodiment, a transmission attempt by the household appliance and / or the external location may be rejected.

[0013] In the event of an interrupted communication connection between the household appliance and the external location, a first functional parameter that has been changed on the household appliance can be determined and transmitted to the external location when the communication connection is restored. For example, a first functional parameter can be assigned a marker that indicates that the functional parameter has been changed. When the communication connection to the external location becomes available again, all marked functional parameters can be transmitted to the external location. In another embodiment, all first functional parameters can be transmitted to the external location when the communication connection is restored. In addition, a transmission of first functional parameters to the external location can occur periodically, for example.

[0014] The external location is further preferably configured to transmit a change to a stored first or second functional parameter to a connected application. A first functional parameter can be changed by receiving an updated first functional parameter from the household appliance. The second functional parameter can be changed using another application connected to the external location. The change can be transmitted to all connected applications so that data consistency can be established across the applications. If a new application is connected to the external location, currently valid first and / or second functional parameters can be transmitted to the application.

[0015] It is generally preferred that multiple applications be able to connect to the external location concurrently. Accordingly, concurrent changes to second function parameters can also be made concurrently via the applications. Conventional means for collision resolution can be used in this case. For example, an application can temporarily protect a second function parameter against write access by another application. Changing the function parameter by another application is only possible after the first application has relinquished its exclusive control. In another embodiment, any concurrent changes to a second function parameter by different applications can be tolerated. The most recent state of the second function parameter can be transmitted to all connected applications.

[0016] The functional parameter can, in particular, comprise a functional program executable on the household appliance. The functional program can comprise further parameters, whereby a parameter can be predefined within the functional program, determined at execution time, or specified by a user when the functional program is started. The complexity of the functional program is typically only limited by the comprehensibility of a user's interaction with an application for editing the functional program.

[0017] The household appliance can comprise one of a laundry care appliance, a kitchen appliance, or a cleaning appliance. As a laundry care appliance, the household appliance can comprise, for example, a washing machine or a dryer. As a kitchen appliance, it can comprise, for example, an extractor hood, a hob, an oven, a steamer, a refrigerator, or a dishwasher. As a cleaning appliance, the household appliance can be designed, for example, as a vacuum cleaner, a handheld multi-use device (multi-use handstick, MUH), an iron, or an ironing station. Another household appliance can also be used.

[0018] The application can run on a personalized device, in particular a smartphone, a laptop computer, or a tablet computer. In other possible embodiments, the application runs, for example, on a smart watch, a voice-controlled assistant, or a home automation control center. The device can be assigned to a user of the household appliance. In a further embodiment, control can also be performed via any web-enabled device, for example, via an internet browser, which can run on a desktop computer.

[0019] According to a further aspect of the present invention, a household appliance that is controllable on the basis of a functional parameter comprises a first memory for storing first functional parameters; an interface for communication with an external location; and a processing device for transmitting the first functional parameters from the household appliance to the external location.

[0020] The household appliance can support the selection and / or transmission of a functional parameter from the external location. The household appliance can be included in a system described herein. Features or benefits of the household appliance can be transferred to the system, or vice versa.

[0021] In one embodiment, the household appliance is controllable based on first and second functional parameters. In some embodiments, the memory can also be used to store second functional parameters. Preferably, the household appliance is configured to enable changing, setting, and / or editing the first functional parameters on the household appliance. In some embodiments, the household appliance can have data sovereignty over the first functional parameters, so that in the event of a conflict (and / or an inconsistency between functional parameters stored in different locations), the respectively valid value for a first functional parameter is available on the household appliance.

[0022] The external location can be formed by a device comprising a second memory for storing first and second functional parameters for controlling a predetermined household appliance. Furthermore, the device comprises a first interface for transmitting first functional parameters from the household appliance; a second interface for connecting to a predetermined application; and a processing device configured to edit a second functional parameter under the control of the application.

[0023] The device may also be included in a system described herein. Features or advantages of the device may be transferred to the system, or vice versa.

[0024] In some embodiments, the device has data sovereignty over the second functional parameters, so that in the event of a conflict (and / or an inconsistency between functional parameters stored at different locations), the respectively valid value for a second functional parameter is available at the device.

[0025] Non-limiting embodiments of the invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

[0026] Figure 1 a system;

[0027] Figure 2 shows a flow diagram of a first method;

[0028] Figure 3 is a flowchart of a second method; and

[0029] Figure 4 shows a flowchart of a third method. Figure 1 shows a system 100 for controlling a household appliance 105. The system 100 comprises the household appliance 105 and a location 110 external to the household appliance 105. Furthermore, one or more applications 115 may be included, each of which may be formed by a device that can be controlled by a user of the household appliance 105.

[0030] The household appliance 105 can be controlled based on a functional parameter, which can comprise a single parameter, a collection of parameters, or a functional program. The functional parameter can be selected from various data sources. A first functional parameter 120 can be controlled by a user on the household appliance 105 itself. A second functional parameter 125 can be edited using an application 115 on the external location 110.

[0031] The household appliance 105 preferably comprises a processing device 130, a first memory 135 for storing one or more first functional parameters 120, and an interface 140 for communication with the external location 110. Furthermore, an output device 145 and / or an input device 150 is preferably provided. The output device 145 can, for example, comprise a visual display device. Other possibilities include an acoustic or haptic output device 145. The input device 150 is shown as a rotary knob; in other embodiments, however, the input device 150 can also comprise, for example, buttons, a touch-sensitive screen, or another input means. Using the interaction device 145, 150, a user can retrieve, change, and save a first functional parameter 120 in the first memory 135.

[0032] The interface 140 is preferably wireless and can operate, for example, via Bluetooth, WLAN, or mobile communications. Not shown in Figure 1 is a receiver for wireless signals of the interface 140. The receiver can convert to a wired network. In another embodiment, the interface 140 is wired. Purely by way of example, the household appliance 105 in Figure 1 is embodied as a washing machine. The functional parameter 120 can include a functional program of the washing machine 105, which can be created or modified by a user.

[0033] The location 110 external to the household appliance 105 is preferably configured to communicate with a plurality of household appliances 105. However, functionalities provided by the different household appliances 105 may be non-overlapping, so that only operation with a single household appliance 105 is described here. The external location 110 can be implemented, for example, as a server or as a service, particularly in a cloud.

[0034] The external location 110 preferably comprises a processing device 155, a second memory 160, a first interface 165, and a second interface 170. The external location 110 can communicate with the household appliance 105 via the first interface 165. Although the first interface 165 is represented by a symbol for a wireless connection, a wired connection can also be used. The external location 110 can communicate with one or more applications 115 via the second interface 170. Here, too, part of the transmission path can be wireless and / or another part can be wired. Typically, an application 115 is connected to the external location 110 via a wide area communications network. For this purpose, the Internet or a mobile network can be used, for example.

[0035] The second memory 160 is configured to store first functional parameters 120 and second functional parameters 125. An application 115 can view, modify, and resave first and second functional parameters 120, 125 of the external location 110. Predefined restrictions may apply, as explained in more detail herein.

[0036] Conceptually, the first memory 135 of the household appliance 105 is considered the device where always valid first functional parameters 120 are stored. Should, for any reason, a contradiction arise between first functional parameters 120 at different locations, the relevant value can always be found in the first memory 135. Similarly, the second memory 160 of the external location 110 can be considered the relevant data source for second functional parameters 125. Should, for any reason, different values ​​for a second functional parameter 125 exist at different locations in the system 100, the relevant value can always be found in the second memory 160.

[0037] It should be noted that the external location 110 is preferably configured to communicate concurrently with multiple applications 115, each of which can access the same second function parameter 125. Conventional methods can be used to avoid collisions, such as semaphores, mutex passages, spinlocks, or priorities.

[0038] The change or distribution of function parameters 120, 125 in the system 100 is described in more detail below using three examples.

[0039] Figure 2 shows a flowchart of a first exemplary method 200 in which a user-controlled change of a first functional parameter 120 on the household appliance 105 takes place.

[0040] In a step 205, a first functional parameter 120 can be edited on the household appliance 105. This can be done, in particular, by a user of the household appliance 105 using the interaction devices 145, 150. In a step 210, the change can be stored locally in the first memory 135.

[0041] In step 215, a check can be made to determine whether a communication connection between the household appliance 105 and the external location 110 is available. If this is not the case, the first functional parameter that was changed can be noted in step 220. After a predetermined time, a check can be made again in step 215 to determine whether the connection is available. In another embodiment, an event-driven check can also be performed.

[0042] If it was determined in step 215 that the connection is available, the changed functional parameter can be transmitted to the external location 110 in a step 225. The changed first functional parameter 120 can be stored in the second memory 160 in a step 230. Subsequently, in one or more steps 235, the change can be forwarded to one or more connected applications 115. A user of the household appliance 105 who uses an application 115 can be immediately notified of a changed first functional parameter 120.

[0043] Figure 3 shows a flowchart of a second method 300, in which a second functional parameter 125 is changed in an application 115. This change can be made, in particular, by a user of the household appliance 105.

[0044] In a step 305, it can be detected that a user is changing a second functional parameter 125 in an application 115. The change can be transmitted to the external location 110 in a step 310. In a step 315, the affected, changed second functional parameter 125 can be stored or overwritten locally in the second memory 160. Subsequently, in a step 320, the change can be transmitted to one or more additional applications 115.

[0045] It should be noted that, within the scope of a user-controlled change to a second functional parameter 125, transmission to the household appliance 105 is preferably not performed. Only when a second functional parameter 125 is to be used as the basis for a function of the household appliance 105 can the corresponding, selected functional parameter 125 be transmitted to the household appliance 105.

[0046] Figure 4 shows a flowchart of a third method 400, in which a first functional parameter 120 is changed in an application 115. This change can also be made by a user of the household appliance 105.

[0047] In a step 405, it can be detected that a first functional parameter 120 is changed in one of the applications 115. In a step 410, the change can be transmitted to the external location 110.

[0048] In a step 415, it can be checked whether a communication connection between the external location 110 and the household appliance 105 is available. If this is not the case, a corresponding message can be sent to the application 115 via which the change was made in a step 420. In particular, the change to the application 115 can be reversed. Optionally, further changes to a first function parameter 120 by a user can be blocked in the application 115. A change to a second function parameter 125 using an application 115 may not be affected by this. Otherwise, if it was determined in step 415 that the communication connection to the household appliance 105 is available, the first function parameter 120 can be stored in the second memory 160 in a step 425.In one or more subsequent steps 430, the changed first function parameter 120 can be transmitted to one or more further connected applications 115.

[0049] Reference symbol

[0050] 100 systems

[0051] 105 household appliances

[0052] 110 external positions

[0053] 115 Application

[0054] 120 first function parameters

[0055] 125 second function parameter

[0056] 130 processing facility

[0057] 135 first storage

[0058] 140 Interface

[0059] 145 Output device

[0060] 150 input device

[0061] 155 Processing facility

[0062] 160 second storage

[0063] 165 first interface

[0064] 170 second interface

[0065] 200 first procedure

[0066] 205 User edits first function parameter on the household appliance

[0067] 210 Save changes locally

[0068] 215 Connection available?

[0069] 220 note the first function parameter to be changed

[0070] 225 Transfer change to external location

[0071] 230 Save changes to an external location

[0072] 235 Forward change to connected application

[0073] 300 second procedure

[0074] 305 User edits second function parameter to application

[0075] 310 Transfer change to external location

[0076] 315 Save changes locally

[0077] 320 Transfer change to another application 400 third procedure

[0078] 405 User edits first function parameter in application

[0079] 410 Transfer change to external location

[0080] 415 Communication connection to the household appliance available? 420 Reset

[0081] 425 Save changes locally

[0082] 430 Transfer change to another application

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS 1. System (100), comprising - a household appliance (105) that can be controlled on the basis of a functional parameter; - wherein the household appliance (105) is configured to store first functional parameters (120); - an external location (110) configured to store first (120) and second functional parameters (125); - wherein the first functional parameters (120) on the household appliance (105) and the second functional parameters (125) are editable by means of an application (115) connected to the external location (110); - wherein the first functional parameters (120) are transmitted from the household appliance (105) to the external location (110).

2. System (100) according to claim 1, wherein a change of a first functional parameter (120) at the external location (110) and / or a transmission of a changed first functional parameter (120) to the household appliance (105) is only possible if a communication connection exists between the household appliance (105) and the external location (110).

3. System (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a selection of one of the functional parameters (120, 125) is determined for a function of the household appliance (105) and the function can be controlled on the basis of the selected functional parameter (120, 125).

4. System (100) according to claim 3, wherein a selected second functional parameter (125) is transmitted from the external location (110) to the household appliance (105).

5. System (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a change of a second functional parameter (125) on the household appliance (105) and / or a transmission a changed second function parameter (125) to the external location (110) is excluded.

6. System (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in the event of an interrupted communication connection between the household appliance (105) and the external location (110), a first functional parameter (120) changed on the household appliance (105) is determined and transmitted to the external location (110) when the communication connection is restored.

7. System (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the external location (110) is configured to transmit a change in a stored first (120) or second functional parameter (125) to a connected application (115).

8. System (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein several applications (115) can be connected concurrently to the external location (110).

9. System (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the functional parameter (120, 125) comprises a functional program executable on the household appliance (105).

10. System (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the household appliance (105) comprises one of a laundry care appliance, a kitchen appliance or a cleaning appliance.

11. System (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the application (115) runs on a smartphone, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a smart watch, a voice-controlled assistant or a home automation control center.

12. System (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the household appliance (105) has data sovereignty over the first functional parameters (120) and the external location (110) has data sovereignty over the second functional parameters (125), so that in the event of a conflict, the respectively valid value for a first functional parameter is present at the household appliance (105) and the respectively valid value for a second functional parameter is present at the external location (110).

13. A household appliance (105) that is controllable based on a functional parameter (120, 125); wherein the household appliance (105) comprises a first memory (135) for storing first functional parameters (120); an interface (140) for communication with an external location (110); and a processing device (130) for transmitting the first functional parameters (120) from the household appliance (105) to the external location (110).

14. Device (110) comprising a second memory (160) for storing first (120) and second functional parameters (125) for controlling a predetermined household appliance (105); a first interface (165) for transmitting first functional parameters (120) from the household appliance (105); a second interface (170) for connecting to a predetermined application (115); and a processing device (155) configured to edit a second functional parameter (125) under the control of the application (115).

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