Household appliance

Abstract

A household appliance (100) comprises a display device (110) operable to display first content comprising one or more content items, a controller (310) and sensor equipment (120) configured to generate sensor data indicative of a location of a user relative to the household appliance. The sensor data is received from the sensor equipment (120). Based on the location of the user relative to the household appliance (100) indicated by the sensor data, second content for display by the display device (110) is determined. Determining the second content comprises adding a content item to the one or more content items of the first content and / or removing a content item from the one or more content items of the first content. The display device is caused to display the second content.

Description

[0001] HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure concerns a household appliance. In particular, but not exclusively, the present disclosure concerns measures, including apparatus, systems, methods and computer programs, for operating a household appliance.

[0004] Background

[0005] Household appliances, also referred to as domestic or home appliances, are used to perform household tasks such as cooking, cleaning, storing food, etc. Examples of such household appliances include ovens, refrigerators, freezers, hobs, dishwashers, washing machines, tumble dryers, air conditioning units and vacuum cleaners.

[0006] Such household appliances may be monitored by a user via a display device of the household appliance, e.g. a liquid crystal display (LCD) device. The display device may display various content relating to the operation of the household appliance for interpretation by the user, such as the value of a timer, a current operating program or operating settings of the household appliance, etc. Additionally, some household appliances may be monitored remotely. For example, a household appliance may be equipped with a communications unit, such as a Wi-Fi transceiver. This allows the appliance to be monitored based on data transmitted via a wireless communications network. A user may then use a personal device, such as a mobile phone or smartwatch, to monitor the household appliance. The household appliance may communicate with the personal device via a server.

[0007] It is desirable to provide an improved household appliance and / or improved methods of operating a household appliance.

[0008] Summary

[0009] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a household appliance comprising: a display device operable to display first content comprising one or more content items; sensor equipment configured to generate sensor data indicative of a location of a user relative to the household appliance; and a controller configured to: receive the sensor data from the sensor equipment; based on the location of the user relative to the household appliance indicated by the sensor data, determine second content for display by the display device, wherein determining the second content comprises adding a content item to the one or more content items of the first content and / or removing a content item from the one or more content items of the first content; and cause the display device to display the second content.

[0010] In embodiments, the sensor data indicates a change in the location of the user relative to the household appliance, and the controller is configured to determine the second content in response to receiving the sensor data indicating the change in the location of the user relative to the household appliance.

[0011] In embodiments, the sensor data indicates that the user is located at a distance from the household appliance that is greater than a predetermined threshold distance, and determining the second content comprises removing a content item from the one or more content items of the first content.

[0012] In embodiments, the sensor data indicates that the user is located at a distance from the household appliance that is less than a predetermined threshold distance, and determining the second content comprises adding a content item to the one or more content items of the first content.

[0013] In embodiments, determining the second content comprises removing a first content item from the one or more content items of the first content and adding a second, different, content item to the one or more content items of the first content.

[0014] In embodiments, each of the one or more content items of the first content comprises at least part of: a word, a graphic, a phrase, a number, a letter and / or an alphanumeric character. In embodiments, the first content comprises one or more alphanumeric characters, and determining the second content comprises removing the one or more alphanumeric characters from the first content and adding a graphic to the first content.

[0015] In embodiments, the display device is operable to display the first content in accordance with a first value of a display parameter, and the controller is configured to cause the display device to display the second content in accordance with a second, different value of the display parameter. In embodiments, the display parameter comprises a height, a width and / or a spacing of displayed content.

[0016] In embodiments, the second content consists of a plurality of content items, and the controller is configured to cause the display device to display the plurality of content items of the second content simultaneously.

[0017] In embodiments, the controller is configured to determine the second content based on an operational state of the household appliance. In embodiments, the sensor equipment comprises a proximity sensor. In embodiments, the sensor equipment comprises an infrared sensor.

[0018] In embodiments, the sensor equipment is configured to sense proximity of a user device by receiving a wireless signal from the user device. In embodiments, the controller is configured to determine the location of the user relative to the household appliance based on the sensed proximity of the user device.

[0019] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a household appliance comprising: a display device operable to display first content comprising one or more content items; and a controller configured to: receive sensor data from sensor equipment, the sensor data indicative of a location of a user relative to the household appliance; based on the location of the user relative to the household appliance indicated by the sensor data, determine second content for display by the display device, wherein determining the second content comprises adding a content item to the one or more content items of the first content and / or removing a content item from the one or more content items of the first content; and cause the display device to display the second content.

[0020] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a system comprising: a household appliance; a display device operable to display first content comprising one or more content items; sensor equipment configured to generate sensor data indicative of a location of a user relative to the household appliance; and a controller configured to: receive the sensor data from the sensor equipment; based on the location of the user relative to the household appliance indicated by the sensor data, determine second content for display by the display device, wherein determining the second content comprises adding a content item to the one or more content items of the first content and / or removing a content item from the one or more content items of the first content; and cause the display device to display the second content.

[0021] In embodiments, the household appliance comprises one or more of: the display device, the sensor equipment, and the controller.

[0022] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of operating a household appliance, the household appliance comprising a display device operable to display first content comprising one or more content items, the method comprising: receiving sensor data from sensor equipment, the sensor data indicative of a location of a user relative to the household appliance; based on the location of the user relative to the household appliance indicated by the sensor data, determining second content for display by the display device, wherein determining the second content comprises adding a content item to the one or more content items of the first content and / or removing a content item from the one or more content items of the first content; and causing the display device to display the second content.

[0023] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer program comprising a set of instructions which, when executed by a computerised device, cause the computerised device to perform a method of operating a household appliance, the household appliance comprising a display device operable to display first content comprising one or more content items, the method comprising: receiving sensor data from sensor equipment, the sensor data indicative of a location of a user relative to the household appliance; based on the location of the user relative to the household appliance indicated by the sensor data, determining second content for display by the display device, wherein determining the second content comprises adding a content item to the one or more content items of the first content and / or removing a content item from the one or more content items of the first content; and causing the display device to display the second content.

[0024] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a household appliance comprising: a communications unit operable to transmit signals via a network for monitoring of the household appliance via a user output interface of a user device; sensor equipment configured to generate sensor data indicative of a location of a user relative to the household appliance; and a controller configured to: receive the sensor data from the sensor equipment; and cause the communications unit to transmit a signal via the network, the signal being operable to trigger, based on the location of the user relative to the household appliance indicated by the sensor data, control of an output of the user output interface.

[0025] In embodiments, the household appliance comprises a display device operable to display content for viewing by the user, and the sensor data indicates that the user is unable to view and / or unable to interpret the content displayed via the display device.

[0026] In embodiments, the sensor data indicates that the user is located at a distance from the household appliance that is greater than a predetermined threshold distance.

[0027] In embodiments, the sensor data indicates that an obstacle is located between the user and the household appliance.

[0028] In embodiments, the sensor data indicates that the user is located at a distance from the household appliance that is less than a predetermined threshold distance.

[0029] In embodiments, the signal is operable to cause the user output interface of the user device to provide a predetermined output. In embodiments, the signal is operable to cause the user output interface of the user device to cease providing a predetermined output.

[0030] In embodiments, the predetermined output is associated with monitoring of the household appliance via the user output interface.

[0031] In embodiments, the predetermined output indicates operational information of the household appliance.

[0032] In embodiments, the operational information comprises one or more of: a status of the household appliance, one or more operating parameters of the household appliance, an operating program of the household appliance, one or more settings of the household appliance, and a value of a timer of the household appliance.

[0033] In embodiments, the predetermined output is dependent on an operational state of the household appliance.

[0034] In embodiments, the user output interface comprises a display device operable to display content, and the signal is operable to control the content displayed by the display device.

[0035] In embodiments, the communications unit comprises a wireless communications unit operable to transmit signals via a wireless communications network.

[0036] In embodiments, the communications unit is configured to transmit the signal to a server.

[0037] In embodiments, the sensor equipment comprises a proximity sensor. In embodiments, the sensor equipment comprises an infrared sensor.

[0038] In embodiments, the sensor equipment is configured to sense proximity of the user device on the basis of wireless signals received from the user device.

[0039] In embodiments, the sensor data indicates either a presence of the user device or an absence of the user device in a predefined region of an environment of the household appliance. In embodiments, the signal is operable to trigger control of the output of the user output interface in response to the sensor data indicating absence of the user device in the predefined region.

[0040] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a household appliance comprising: a communications unit operable to transmit signals via a network for monitoring of the household appliance via a user output interface of a user device; and a controller configured to: receive sensor data from sensor equipment, the sensor data indicative of a location of a user relative to the household appliance; and cause the communications unit to transmit a signal via the network, the signal being operable to trigger, based on the location of the user relative to the household appliance indicated by the sensor data, control of an output of the user output interface.

[0041] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a system comprising a household appliance according to any previous aspect. The system further comprises a user device comprising a user output interface. The user device is configured to: receive a signal generated based on a sensed location of a user relative to the household appliance; and in response to receiving the signal, control an output of the user output interface.

[0042] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a system comprising: a household appliance; a communications unit operable to transmit signals via a network for monitoring of the household appliance via a user output interface of a user device; sensor equipment configured to generate sensor data indicative of a location of a user relative to the household appliance; and a controller configured to: receive the sensor data from the sensor equipment; and cause the communications unit to transmit a signal via the network, the signal being operable to trigger, based on the location of the user relative to the household appliance indicated by the sensor data, control of an output of the user output interface.

[0043] In embodiments, the household appliance comprises one or more of: the communications unit, the sensor equipment, and the controller.

[0044] In embodiments, the system comprises a further household appliance, the further household appliance comprising the sensor equipment and / or the controller.

[0045] In embodiments, the system comprises a server, the server being configured to receive the signal and to control the output of the user output interface based on the location of the user relative to the household appliance.

[0046] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of operating a household appliance, the household appliance comprising a communications unit operable to transmit signals via a network for monitoring of the household appliance via a user output interface of a user device, the method comprising: receiving sensor data from sensor equipment, the sensor data indicative of a location of a user relative to the household appliance; and causing the communications unit to transmit a signal via the network, the signal being operable to trigger, based on the location of the user relative to the household appliance indicated by the sensor, control of an output of the user output interface.

[0047] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer program comprising a set of instructions which, when executed by a computerised device, cause the computerised device to perform a method of operating a household appliance, the household appliance comprising a communications unit operable to transmit signals via a network for monitoring of the household appliance via a user output interface of a user device, the method comprising: receiving sensor data from sensor equipment, the sensor data indicative of a location of a user relative to the household appliance; and causing the communications unit to transmit a signal via the network, the signal being operable to trigger, based on the location of the user relative to the household appliance indicated by the sensor data, control of an output of the user output interface.

[0048] It will of course be appreciated that features described in relation to one aspect of the present invention may be incorporated into other aspects of the present invention. For example, a method of the invention may incorporate any of the features described with reference to an apparatus of the invention and vice versa.

[0049] Brief description of the drawings

[0050] Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

[0051] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a household appliance according to embodiments;

[0052] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a system including a household appliance according to embodiments;

[0053] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a household appliance according to embodiments;

[0054] Figure 4 is a flow diagram showing a method of operating a household appliance according to embodiments;

[0055] Figure 5 is a flow diagram showing a method of operating a household appliance according to embodiments;

[0056] Figure 6a is a schematic diagram of a display device operating in a first state according to embodiments;

[0057] Figure 6b is a schematic diagram of a display device operating in a second state according to embodiments; and

[0058] Figure 7 is a flow diagram showing a method of operating a household appliance according to embodiments. Detailed Description

[0059] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a household appliance, according to embodiments. The household appliance 100, and / or components thereof, may be used to implement the methods described herein. A household (or “domestic”) appliance may be configured to perform one or more household tasks or functions, such as cooking, cleaning, or storing food. As such, the household appliance 100 may comprise a cooking appliance, a cleaning appliance, a food storage appliance, etc. In the example shown in Figure 1, the household appliance 100 comprises an oven. Other examples of household appliances (which may be used to implement the presently-described methods) include, but are not limited to, refrigerators, freezers, air conditioning appliances, heating appliances, washing machines, tumble dryers, dishwashers, vacuum cleaners, hobs, microwaves, and toasters.

[0060] In the embodiments shown in Figure 1, the household appliance 100 comprises a door 140. Opening the door 140 allows an internal cavity (not shown) of the household appliance 100 to be accessed. The door 140 may be opened and closed using a door opening mechanism 145, e.g. a handle. In alternative embodiments, for example where the household appliance 100 comprises a hob or an air conditioning unit, the household appliance 100 does not include a door or a door opening mechanism.

[0061] The household appliance 100 comprises a display device 110. The display device 110 is an example of a user output device. The display device 110 is operable to provide an output for a user, e.g. in the form of one or more displayed content items, as will be described below. In embodiments, the display device 110 comprises a liquid crystal display (LCD) device, such as a thin-film- transistor LCD (TFT LCD). In alternative embodiments, the household appliance 100 does not comprise the display device 110. In embodiments, the household appliance 100 comprises other user output devices additionally or alternatively to the display device 110, such as a speaker, a haptic output device, etc.

[0062] The household appliance 100 comprises sensor equipment 120. The sensor equipment 120 is configured to generate sensor data indicative of a location of a user relative to the household appliance 100. The sensor equipment 120 comprises one or more sensors. In embodiments, the sensor equipment 120 comprises one or more image sensors. For example, the sensor equipment 120 may comprise or be comprised in a camera. In embodiments, the sensor equipment 120 comprises a proximity sensor. For example, the sensor equipment 120 may comprise an infrared (IR) sensor configured to sense proximity of a user to the household appliance 100. In embodiments, the sensor equipment 120 comprises a microphone. In embodiments, the sensor equipment 120 comprises a Bluetooth sensor or other sensor based on detecting short-range wireless communication signals. The sensor equipment 120 may be configured to sense proximity of a user device by receiving a wireless signal from the user device, e.g. via a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) signal. Such a sensed proximity of the user device may be used to infer a location of the user relative to the household appliance 100. In embodiments, the sensor equipment 120 comprises a door sensor configured to sense opening and / or closing of the door 140. Similarly, the sensor equipment 120 may be configured to sense control of one or more components of the household appliance 100 by the user interacting with the household appliance 100. For example, the sensor equipment 120 may be configured to sense control, by the user, of a timer or a heating element of the household appliance 100. Such sensed actions may be used to infer a location of the user relative to the household appliance 100, e.g. that the user is in close proximity to, and in front of, the household appliance 100. In embodiments, the sensor equipment 120 comprises one or more processors. In embodiments, the sensor equipment 120 comprises a plurality of sensors. In embodiments, data generated by the sensor equipment 120 may be combined with data from one or more sensors in another household appliance (not shown). This may allow the location of a user to be determined more accurately, based on signals from more than one sensor and / or from sensors in more than one appliance.

[0063] In alternative embodiments, the household appliance 100 does not comprise the sensor equipment 120. For example, the sensor equipment 120 may be comprised in a further household appliance (not shown) or other device. In such embodiments, the household appliance 100 may receive the sensor data from the sensor equipment 120 (e.g. from the further household appliance). Such data may be received via wireless communication, for example. Alternatively, the household appliance 100 may receive an instruction, from the further household appliance or a server, to cause its display device to display content. The instruction may have been generated in a controller of the further household appliance or the server, as appropriate.

[0064] Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of a system 200, according to embodiments. The system 200 comprises the household appliance 100 described above with reference to Figure 1. The household appliance 100 is operable to send and receive data via a communications network 210 which may comprise one or more different communication networks. The communications networks 210 may, for example, comprise a wireless communications network, such as a wireless local area network (WEAN), and one or more other networks, such as the Internet. The communications network may additionally or alternatively comprise a Wireless Personal Area Network (WPAN) such as a Bluetooth network. Specifically, it may comprise a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) network.

[0065] In the embodiments shown in Figure 2, the household appliance 100 comprises a communications unit 205. In embodiments, the communications unit 205 comprises a wireless communications unit, such as a wireless transceiver. The transceiver may comprise a printed circuit board (PCB) including both a transmitter and a receiver, or may comprise separate transmitter and receiver PCBs. The household appliance 100 can send and / or receive data via the communications network 210 through use of the communications unit 205. That is, the household appliance 100 may be able to send data, receive data, or both send and receive data. In embodiments, the household appliance 100 may be monitored based on monitoring data sent via the communications unit 205.

[0066] In embodiments, the communications unit 205 comprises a Wi-Fi unit operable to send data for remotely monitoring the household appliance 100 to a server via the Internet. For example, the communications unit 205 may be configured to communicate with a gateway, e.g. a Wi-Fi router. As mentioned above, the network 210 may comprise the Internet and / or a home network. In embodiments, the communications unit may alternatively or additionally comprise a short-range wireless communication unit such as a BEE communication unit. In such embodiments, the appliance may be operable to communicate directly with a user device over a WPAN using the short-range communications unit. In embodiments when the sensor equipment 120 comprises a BEE sensor, the sensor equipment may then be provided by the short-range communications unit 205. In alternative embodiments, the household appliance 100 comprises a communications unit that is not configured to perform wireless communications. For example, such a communications unit may be configured to allow monitoring of the household appliance 100 via an Ethernet connection, or other wired communications mechanism. The methods described herein may also be implemented using such a communications unit.

[0067] The system 200 also comprises a server 220. The server 220 is remotely located from the household appliance 100. The server 220 is operable to send and / or receive data via the communications network 210. As such, the server 220 is operable to receive monitoring data from the household appliance 100, for monitoring the household appliance 100. Additionally or alternatively, the server 220 may be operable to send remote control data to the household appliance 100, for remotely controlling the household appliance 100. In embodiments, the system 200 also comprises a user device 230. The user device 230 may be remotely located from the household appliance 100. The user device 230 may be referred to as a “personal device” of a user. The user device 230 may comprise a mobile phone, personal computer, smartwatch device, tablet computer, etc. The user device 230 is operable to send and / or receive data via the communications network 210. For example, the user device 230 may be operable to receive data from the server 220 and / or directly or indirectly from the household appliance 100. In embodiments, the user device 230 may be used to monitor (e.g. remotely monitor) the household appliance 100.

[0068] The user device 230 comprises a user output interface 235. The user output interface 235 is operable to provide an output for a user. For example, the user output interface 235 may comprise a display device configured to provide a visual output for the user, a speaker configured to provide an audio output for the user, etc.

[0069] In embodiments, when the household appliance 100 is to be monitored via the user device 230, the communications unit 205 is operable to send messages via the communications network 210 to the server 220 for monitoring of the household appliance 100. Such messages indicate operational information of the household appliance 100. The operational information may include, for example, the status of the household appliance 100, one or more operating parameters of the household appliance 100, an operating program of the household appliance 100, the value of a timer associated with the household appliance 100, etc. In response to receiving such messages, the server 220 is configured to send data indicative of the operational information of the household appliance 100 to the user device 230. The user device 230 may then provide an output via the user output interface 235, based on the operational information. For example, the user device 230 may display the operational information on a visual display of the user device 230. This allows the user to monitor the household appliance 100 via the user device 230, which may (in some embodiments, in some circumstances and / or during some time periods) be located remotely from the household appliance 100.

[0070] In embodiments, the household appliance 100 is configured to communicate with the user device 230 directly, additionally or alternatively to communicating via the server 220. For example, the household appliance may be configured to communicate with the user device 230 via Bluetooth. For example, the household appliance may communicate directly with the user device using WLAN technology or WPAN technology and may communicate with the server, and indirectly with the user device, using WLAN technology and the Internet. In alternative embodiments, the household appliance 100 is monitored directly, i.e. without the use of a user device 230 or server 220. For example, where the household appliance 100 comprises a display device such as the display device 110 described above with reference to Figure 1, the user may monitor the household appliance 100 via the display device 110 of the household appliance 100 instead of, or in addition to, the user output interface 235 of the user device 230. As such, in some embodiments, the server 220, the user device 230, the communications network 210 and / or the communications unit 205 of the household appliance 100, may be omitted. In some embodiments, the household appliance 100 may be monitored both directly and indirectly using the user device 230.

[0071] In embodiments, the server 220 comprises a controller (not shown) capable of controlling the household appliance 100 and / or the user device 230. For example, the controller of the server 220 may be configured to control the user output interface 235 of the user device 230 to enable monitoring of the household appliance 100 via the user device 230.

[0072] In embodiments, the system 200 comprises a further household appliance (not shown). The further household appliance may be configured to communicate with the household appliance 100 via the network 210. Such communication may be provided via the server 220 or may be direct, i.e. without the server 220. The household appliance 100 and the further household appliance may comprise different types of household appliance. For example, the household appliance 100 may comprise an oven and the further household appliance may comprise a hob. In embodiments, the further household appliance comprises a controller (not shown) operable to control the household appliance 100. In embodiments, the household appliance 100 is configured to control the further household appliance 100. In alternative embodiments, the system 200 does not comprise a further household appliance.

[0073] Figure 3 shows a schematic block diagram of the household appliance 100, according to embodiments.

[0074] The household appliance 100 comprises a controller 310. The controller 310 is operable to perform various data processing and / or control functions according to embodiments, as will be described in more detail below. The controller 310 may comprise one or more components. The one or more components may be implemented in hardware and / or software. The one or more components may be co-located or may be located remotely from each other in the household appliance 100. The controller 310 may be embodied as one or more software functions and / or hardware modules. In embodiments, the controller 310 comprises one or more processors configured to process instructions and / or data. Operations performed by the one or more processors may be carried out by hardware and / or software. The controller 310 may be configured to implement the methods described herein. In embodiments, the controller 310 is operable to output control signals for controlling one or more components of the household appliance 100. In embodiments, the controller 310 is operable to receive signals from one or more components of the household appliance 100, and to control one or more components of the household appliance 100 based on such received signals.

[0075] The household appliance 100 also comprises sensor equipment 120, as described with reference to Figure 1 above. The sensor equipment 120 is configured to generate sensor data indicative of a location of a user relative to the household appliance 100. In embodiments, the sensor equipment 120 is configured to output the sensor data to the controller 310, to enable the controller 310 to control the household appliance 100 on the basis of sensor data. As such, the controller 310 is operable to receive sensor data (e.g. signals comprising the sensor data) from the sensor equipment 120. In embodiments, the controller 310 is operable to control the sensor equipment 120, e.g. via one or more control signals generated by the controller 310. The household appliance 100 may comprise one or more other sensors in addition to the sensor equipment 120. The one or more other sensors may be arranged to sense performance and / or operation of the household appliance 100, for example.

[0076] In embodiments, the household appliance 100 comprises a communications unit 205, as described with reference to Figure 2 above. The controller 310 is operable to control the communications unit 205. In particular, the controller 310 is operable to cause the communications unit 205 to transmit signals via a network. For example, the controller 310 may be operable to send signals to the communications unit 205 to enable remote monitoring of the household appliance 100.

[0077] In embodiments, the household appliance 100 comprises a display device 110, as described with reference to Figure 1 above. The controller 310 is operable to control the display device 110, e.g. to cause the display device 110 to display an output for a user. In embodiments, the controller 310 is operable to control the content displayed by the display device 110. For example, the controller 310 may be operable to cause predetermined content to be displayed or not displayed by the display device 110, and / or to adjust the content displayed by the display device 110.

[0078] In embodiments, the household appliance 100 comprises a door 140, as described with reference to Figure 1 above. In embodiments, the controller 310 is operable to receive a signal generated in response to a user opening and / or closing the door 120, e.g. by such an operation being sensed by the sensor equipment 120. The controller 310 may be operable to control the household appliance 100 in response to receipt of such a signal.

[0079] In embodiments, the household appliance 100 comprises a heating element 330. The heating element 330 may, for example, be operable to convert electrical energy into heat. The heating element 330 may be controlled by a user of the household appliance, e.g. by activating the heating element 330 and / or setting a desired operating temperature of the household appliance 100. In embodiments, the controller 310 is operable to receive a signal generated in response to a user attempting to control the heating element 330, e.g. by such an operation being sensed by the sensor equipment 120. The controller 310 may be operable to control the household appliance 100 in response to receipt of such a signal. In embodiments, the controller 310 is operable to control the heating element. For example, the controller 310 may be operable to apply energy (e.g. electrical energy) to the heating element 330, e.g. via one or more control signals generated by the controller 310.

[0080] In embodiments, the household appliance 100 comprises a timer 340. The timer 340 may be controlled by a user of the household appliance 100, e.g. to set a desired time after which an alarm may sound and / or operation of the household appliance 100 may start or stop. In embodiments, the controller 310 is operable to receive a signal generated in response to a user attempting to control the timer 340, e.g. by such an operation being sensed by the sensor equipment 120. The controller 310 is operable to control the household appliance 100 in response to receipt of such a signal. In embodiments, the controller 310 is operable to control the timer 340.

[0081] The household appliance 100 also comprises a memory 360. The memory 360 is operable to store various data according to embodiments. The memory may comprise at least one volatile memory, at least one non-volatile memory, and / or at least one data storage unit. The volatile memory, non-volatile memory and / or data storage unit may be configured to store computer-readable information and / or instructions for use / execution by the controller 310.

[0082] The household appliance 100 may comprise more, fewer and / or different components in alternative embodiments. In particular, at least some of the components of the household appliance 100 shown in Figures 1, 2 and / or 3 may be omitted (e.g. may not be required) in some embodiments. For example, at least one of the display device 110, sensor equipment 120, door 140, door opening mechanism 145, communications unit 205, heating element 330, timer 340, and memory 360 may be omitted in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the household appliance 100 does not comprise the controller 310. For example, the controller 310 may be comprised in a further entity (e.g. a server or a further household appliance) that is capable of communicating with and controlling the household appliance 100. The household appliance 100 may also comprise other components, in addition to or instead of for example the heating element, for realising the function(s) of the household appliance 100, such as one or more of the following components: a pump arrangement, a drum drive arrangement, a heatpump arrangement, condensers, compressors, fans and / or ionisers.

[0083] Figure 4 shows a method 400 of operating a household appliance, according to embodiments. The method 400 may be used to operate the household appliance 100 described above with reference to Figures 1 to 3. The household appliance 100 comprises a display device 110. The display device 110 is operable to display first content comprising one or more content items. The household appliance 100 comprises sensor equipment 120. The sensor equipment 120 is configured to generate sensor data indicative of a location of a user relative to the household appliance 100. In embodiments, the method 400 is performed at least in part by the controller 310. That is, the controller 310 is configured to perform at least some of the steps of the method 400.

[0084] In step 410, sensor data is received from the sensor equipment 120. The sensor data is indicative of a location of a user relative to the household appliance 100.

[0085] In step 420, based on the location of the user relative to the household appliance 100 indicated by the sensor data, second content for display by the display device 110 is determined. Determining the second content comprises adding a content item to the one or more content items of the first content and / or removing a content item from the one or more content items of the first content.

[0086] In step 430, the display device 110 is caused to display the second content.

[0087] As such, the content displayed by the display device 110 of the household appliance 100 is dependent on the location of the user relative to the household appliance 100. This improves the functionality and / or versatility of the household appliance 100, and provides an improved user experience. In particular, the user may be provided with content that is appropriate to (and tailored to) the location of the user relative to the household appliance 100.

[0088] It will be understood that causing the display device 110 to display the second content instead of the first content is not the same as merely changing how the content is displayed, e.g. by changing the size of the content or a spacing between content items, etc. Rather, the second content includes more, fewer, or different content items than the first content. In some embodiments, the display device 110 is also, optionally, caused to change a size and / or spacing of displayed content based on the location of the user relative to the household appliance 100. However, in other embodiments, the first content and the second content are to be displayed with the same size and / or spacing.

[0089] In embodiments, the sensor data indicates a change in the location of the user relative to the household appliance 100. In some such embodiments, the second content is determined in response to receiving the sensor data indicating the change in the location of the user relative to the household appliance 100. That is, the display device 110 may transition from a first state, in which the first content is displayed, to a second state, in which the second content is displayed, based on a sensed change in the location of the user relative to the household appliance 100. For example, the sensor data may indicate that the user has moved from a first position, relatively close to the household appliance 100, to a second position, relatively far from the household appliance 100, or vice-versa. Additionally or alternatively, the sensor data may indicate that the user has moved from a location at which the display device 110 is easily visible to the user to a location at which the display device 110 is not easily visible to the user. In alternative embodiments, although the display device 110 is capable of displaying the first content, the first content is not displayed by the display device 110.

[0090] In embodiments, the sensor data indicates that the user is located at a distance from the household appliance 100 that is greater than a predetermined threshold distance. In some such embodiments, determining the second content comprises removing a content item from the one or more content items of the first content. The predetermined threshold distance may be 1 metre, for example. As other examples, the predetermined threshold distance may be 2 meters, 3 meters, 4 meters, 5 meters or another appropriate distance depending on circumstances. The content item that is removed from the first content may be a content item that is determined to be less important and / or less easy to view and / or interpret than other content items of the first content which are not removed. Accordingly, when the user is determined to be located at a relatively great distance from the household appliance 100, some content items of the first content may be prioritised over other content items of the first content, and the non-prioritised content items may be removed. Such non-prioritised content items may comprise content items which are less useful for the user than the prioritised content items, e.g. because the user may be less likely to be able to see and / or interpret such content items. The removed content items may comprise text, for example, which the user may be less able to see and / or interpret from a distance, compared to graphics. In embodiments, the sensor data indicates that the user is located at a distance from the household appliance 100 that is less than a predetermined threshold distance. In some such embodiments, determining the second content comprises adding a content item to the one or more content items of the first content. As such, if the user is determined to be in relatively close proximity to the household appliance 100, additional content may be displayed to the user. The user may be able to see and / or interpret such additional content because they are near to the household appliance 100, whereas such additional content may not be easily visible or interpretable if the user were located further away from the household appliance 100. Displaying additional content to the user when the user is relatively close to the household appliance 100 can provide the user with richer and / or more detailed information relating to the operation of the household appliance 100.

[0091] In embodiments, determining the second content comprises removing a first content item from the one or more content items of the first content and adding a second, different, content item to the one or more content items of the first content. For example, the first content item may comprise more detail and / or may be more difficult to see and / or interpret from a distance, than the second content item, or vice-versa. In embodiments, the first content and the second content comprise the same number of content items, but at least one of the content items is different between the first content and the second content. In alternative embodiments, the first content and the second content comprise different numbers of content items. In embodiments, the first content and the second content comprise different numbers of content items, and also the first content and the second content comprise different content items.

[0092] In embodiments, each of the one or more content items of the first content comprises at least part of: a word, a graphic, a phrase, a number, a letter and / or an alphanumeric character. Additionally or alternatively, each of the one or more content items of the first content may comprise a combination of such. In embodiments, a content item of the first content comprises a timer, e.g. displayed in the form of a number or a clock graphic.

[0093] In embodiments, the first content comprises one or more alphanumeric characters, and determining the second content comprises removing the one or more alphanumeric characters from the first content and adding a graphic to the first content. Graphics may be easier for a user to see and / or interpret, particularly from a relatively great distance, compared to text or numbers. Therefore, replacing one or more alphanumeric characters with a graphic (which may, optionally, illustrate information that is semantically similar to that shown with the alphanumeric characters, e.g. a timer) allows the user to be able to see and / or interpret the content even when the user is located relatively far from the household appliance 100. In alternative embodiments, the first content comprises a graphic, and determining the second content comprises removing the graphic and adding one or more alphanumeric characters. In further alternative embodiments, the first content comprises a first graphic, and determining the second content comprises removing the first graphic and adding a second, different graphic.

[0094] In embodiments, the display device 110 is operable to display the first content in accordance with a first value of a display parameter, and the display device 110 is caused to display the second content in accordance with a second, different value of the display parameter. In embodiments, the display parameter comprises a height, a width and / or a spacing of displayed content. In alternative embodiments, the display parameter comprises a position (e.g. an absolute or a relative position) at which content is displayed on the display device 110. The value of the display parameter may be determined based on the location of the user relative to the household appliance 100. As such, both the content to be displayed, and how the content is to be displayed, may be dependent on the location of the user relative to the household appliance 100. For example, if the user is located at a distance from the household appliance 100 that is greater than a predetermined threshold distance, one or more content items may be removed from the first content and the remaining content items may be displayed at a larger size and / or spacing. This allows the remaining content to be viewed and / or interpreted more easily by the user. Similarly, if the user is located at a distance from the household appliance 100 that is less than a predetermined threshold distance, one or more content items may be added to the first content and the content (including the new content items) may be displayed at a smaller size and / or spacing.

[0095] In embodiments, the second content is determined based on an operational state of the household appliance 100. For example, where the household appliance 100 comprises an oven, when the oven is in a ‘pre-heating’ state, a temperature of the oven may be shown, whereas when the oven has warmed up and is in a ‘cooking’ state, the temperature of the oven is not shown, and a time until the end of a cooking operation is shown instead. As such, the displayed content may be adapted to different operational states of the household appliance 100.

[0096] In embodiments, the value of the display parameter is determined based on an operational state of the household appliance 100. For example, where the household appliance 100 comprises an oven, when the oven is in the ‘pre-heating’ state, the temperature of the oven may be shown in a prominent position and / or at a relatively large size, and the time until the oven is going to be sufficiently warm is shown in a less prominent position and / or at a relatively small size. However, when the oven is in the ‘cooking’ state, the time until the end of a cooking operation may be shown in the more prominent position and / or at a relatively large size, and the temperature of the oven may be shown in the less prominent position and / or at a relatively small size.

[0097] In embodiments, the second content consists of a plurality of content items, and the display device 110 is caused to display the plurality of content items of the second content simultaneously. That is, all of the plurality of content items of the second content may be displayed at once (i.e. at the same time), rather than being displayed sequentially, e.g. in a scrolling manner, in which only a portion of the plurality of content items are displayed at a given time. In other words, in embodiments, the plurality of content items of the second content are displayed in a non-scrolling manner. This allows the household appliance 100 to display the content to the user more efficiently, and provides an improved user experience, because the user does not have to wait for particular content to appear on the display device 110. Similarly, the display device 110 may be configured to display the plurality of content items of the first content simultaneously (e.g. in a non-scrolling manner). In alternative embodiments, the plurality of content items of the second content and / or the first content are displayed in a sequential or scrolling manner.

[0098] In embodiments, the sensor equipment 120 is configured to sense proximity of a user device by receiving a wireless signal from the user device. Such a wireless signal may comprise a BLE signal, for example. In some such embodiments, the location of the user relative to the household appliance 100 is determined based on the sensed proximity of the user device. As such, the location of the user relative to the household appliance 100 may be inferred without detecting the user directly. This may be less complex and / or expensive to implement, particularly for household appliances already having the capability of communicating wirelessly with user devices, than some other embodiments. In particular, existing sensor equipment may be used for this purpose, rather than new sensors being required. For example, the appliance may measure the signal strength of received wireless short-range communication signals, such as BLE signals, and infer the relative location of user devices from the signal strength. For example, the appliance or a server in communication with the appliance may recognise identification information transmitted in BLE signals from one or more user devices and measure the signal strengths of the recognised one or more user devices. If there is more than one user device near the appliance, or more than one recognised user device near the appliance, the appliance (or the server as the case may be) may determine to display the second content based on the location of the nearest user device. In alternative embodiments, the sensor equipment 120 is configured to sense the location of the user directly, rather than via a user device. If there is more than one user near the appliance, the appliance (or the server as the case may be) may determine to display second content based on the location of the nearest user the equipment can sense.

[0099] Figure 5 shows a method 500 of operating a household appliance, according to embodiments. The method 500 may be used to operate the household appliance 100 described above with reference to Figures 1 to 3. The household appliance 100 comprises a communications unit 205. The communications unit 205 is operable to transmit signals via a network for monitoring of the household appliance 100 via a user output interface 235 of a user device 230. The household appliance 100 comprises sensor equipment 120. The sensor equipment 120 is configured to generate sensor data indicative of a location of a user relative to the household appliance 100. In embodiments, the method 500 is performed at least in part by the controller 310. That is, the controller 310 is configured to perform at least some of the steps of the method 500.

[0100] In step 510, sensor data is received from the sensor equipment 120. The sensor data is indicative of a location of a user relative to the household appliance 100.

[0101] In step 520, the communications unit 205 is caused to transmit a signal via the network. The signal is operable to trigger, based on the location of the user relative to the household appliance 100, control of an output of the user output interface 235 of the user device 230.

[0102] As such, the output of the user output interface 235 of the user device 230 may be controlled based on the location of the user relative to the household appliance 100. This provides an improved user experience, for example by enabling the user to monitor the household appliance 100 via the user device 230 when the user is located at a position in which they are not able to monitor the household appliance 100 directly. Hence, the user is not required to stay in the vicinity of the household appliance 100 in order to monitor the household appliance 100. Instead, the user may move away from the household appliance 100, e.g. to a location at which the household appliance 100 is not easy (or is even impossible) for the user to see, and the user may continue to monitor the household appliance 100 via their user device 230. This also provides an improved operation of the household appliance 100, e.g. in terms of reliability, performance and / or safety, because the user can continue to monitor the household appliance 100 regardless of the user’s location relative to the household appliance 100. In embodiments, the communications unit 205 is caused to transmit the signal based on the location of the user relative to the household appliance 100. For example, the communications unit 205 may transmit the signal in response to a determination that the user is located outside of a predetermined region of the environment of the household appliance 100, e.g. a determination that the user is not in the vicinity of the household appliance 100. Such a signal, received by a server or directly by the user device 230, may then trigger control of the output of the user output interface 235 of the user device 230. In alternative embodiments, the communications unit 205 transmits the signal regardless of the location of the user relative to the household appliance 100. For example, the communications unit 205 may continuously or periodically transmit the signal to a server, the signal indicating the location of the user relative to the household appliance 100. The server may then decide whether and / or how to control the user output interface 235 of the user device 230 based on the location of the user relative to the household appliance 100 indicated by the signal. The server may then send an instruction to the user device 230 to control the output of the user output interface 235 accordingly.

[0103] In embodiments, the household appliance 100 comprises a display device 110 operable to display content for viewing by the user. In some such embodiments, the sensor data indicates that the user is unable to view and / or unable to interpret the content displayed via the display device 110. Therefore, when the user is determined to be unable to view and / or interpret the content displayed via the display device 110 of the household appliance 100, the output of the user output interface 235 of the user device 230 is controlled, to allow the user to monitor the household appliance 100 via their user device 230. This improves a user experience and / or improves the functionality of the household appliance 100, by allowing the user to monitor the household appliance 100 via the user device 230 when the user is not able to view and / or interpret the content displayed via the display device 110 of the household appliance 100.

[0104] In embodiments, the user output interface 235 of the user device 230 comprises a display device operable to display content. In some such embodiments, the signal is operable to control the content displayed by the display device. The displayed content may be content related to monitoring the household appliance 100. For example, the displayed content may comprise a timer associated with the household appliance 100. In alternative embodiments, the user output interface 235 comprises a speaker operable to output audio content, e.g. audio content related to monitoring the household appliance 100. In embodiments, the sensor data indicates that the user is located at a distance from the household appliance 100 that is greater than a predetermined threshold distance. The predetermined threshold distance may be 5 metres, for example. As other examples, the predetermined threshold could be 4 meters, 6 meters or another appropriate distance depending on the circumstances. As such, control of the output of the user output interface 235 of the user device 230 may be triggered when it is determined that the user is located relatively far from the household appliance 100. If the user is located at a distance from the household appliance 100 that is greater than the predetermined threshold distance, the user may be less likely to be able to see the household appliance 100 clearly, and / or to be able to see and / or interpret content displayed on the household appliance 100 itself. Therefore, control of the output of the user output interface 235 of the user device 230 may be triggered to enable the user to monitor the household appliance 100 even when the user is located relatively far from the household appliance 100.

[0105] In embodiments, the sensor data indicates that an obstacle is located between the user and the household appliance 100. If an obstacle is located between the user and the household appliance 100, the user may be less likely to be able to see the household appliance 100 and / or to be able to see and / or interpret content displayed on the household appliance 100. Therefore, control of the output of the user output interface 235 of the user device 230 may be triggered to enable the user to monitor the household appliance 100 even when an obstacle is located between the user and the household appliance 100. In alternative embodiments, the sensor data indicates that the user is located behind the household appliance 100, and may thus be unable to see a display device positioned on the front of the household appliance 100. In alternative embodiments, the sensor data indicates that the user is not located in the same environment (e.g. room) as the household appliance 100.

[0106] In embodiments, the sensor data indicates that the user is located at a distance from the household appliance 100 that is less than a predetermined threshold distance. As such, control of the output of the user output interface 235 of the user device 230 may be triggered when it is determined that the user is located relatively close to the household appliance 100. In some such embodiments, control of the output of the user output interface 235 of the user device 230 may comprise switching off a display of the user device 230, or causing the user device 230 to cease providing a particular user output. Thus, the user output interface 235 of the user device 230 may be caused to provide an output related to monitoring of the household appliance 100 only when the user is determined to be relatively far from the household appliance 100 or otherwise unable to easily see all or part of the household appliance 100. When the user is located close to the household appliance 100, and for example is able to easily view a display device 110 of the household appliance 100, monitoring via the user device 230 is no longer required and the user output interface 235 of the user device 230 may be controlled accordingly, e.g. to switch off the display of the user device 230, thereby saving energy.

[0107] In embodiments, the signal is operable to cause the user output interface 235 of the user device 230 to provide a predetermined output. In embodiments, the predetermined output is associated with monitoring of the household appliance 100 via the user output interface 235. This allows the user to monitor the household appliance 100 via the user output interface 235 of the user device 230 based on the location of the user relative to the household appliance 100. In embodiments, the predetermined output indicates operational information of the household appliance 100. In embodiments, the operational information comprises one or more of: a status of the household appliance 100, one or more operating parameters of the household appliance 100, an operating program of the household appliance 100, one or more settings of the household appliance 100, and a value of a timer of the household appliance 100. In embodiments, the predetermined output is dependent on an operational state of the household appliance 100. For example, the user output interface 235 may provide a first output when the household appliance 100 is in a ‘pre-heating’ state, and a second output when the household appliance 100 is in a ‘cooking’ state.

[0108] In embodiments, the signal is operable to cause the user output interface 235 of the user device 230 to cease providing a predetermined output. For example, where the user output interface 235 comprises a display device, the display device may be ‘switched off’, e.g. to cease providing a displayed output, thereby saving energy of the user device 230.

[0109] In embodiments, the communications unit 205 is configured to transmit the signal to a server. The server may be configured to control the user output interface 235 of the user device 230 based on the received signal, e.g. to instruct the user device 230 to provide a particular output via the user output interface 235. In alternative embodiments, the communications unit 205 is configured to transmit the signal to the user device 230 directly, e.g. via Bluetooth.

[0110] In embodiments, the sensor equipment 120 is configured to sense proximity of the user device 230 on the basis of wireless signals received from the user device 230, e.g. Bluetooth signals. In some such embodiments, the location of the user relative to the household appliance 100 is determined based on the sensed proximity of the user device 230. As such, the location of the user relative to the household appliance 100 may be inferred without directly detecting the user. This may be less complex and / or expensive to implement, particularly for household appliances already having the capability of communicating wirelessly with user devices, than some other embodiments. In particular, existing sensor equipment may be used for this purpose, rather than new sensors being required. For example, the appliance may measure the signal strength of received BLE signals from recognised user devices and infer the relative location of the known user devices from the signal strengths. Identification data, included in the BLE signals from nearby devices, can be matched against known identification data stored in the appliance or in the server to identify known devices, such as devices registered in the server as belonging to the owner or users of the appliance. The identification data may for example be the MAC address or other suitable ID of the devices. The appliance may then transmit the signal to trigger control of an output of a user output interface directly to the recognised device. Alternatively, it may transmit the signal to trigger control of an output of a user interface to the server, together with identification data for the recognised device, Ito allow the server to control the output of the correct user device. If there is more than one recognised user device near the appliance the appliance may transmit the signal to trigger control of an output of a user output interface of each of the known user devices. For example, the signal strength and respective identification data for each of the known user devices may be sent to a server and the server may then decide how to control the user output interface of each of the known user devices. In other implementations, different signals may be sent to the server or one or more of the different user devices based on their inferred locations relative to the appliance. For example, a signal may be transmitted to the server or the relevant known user device in response to a determination that the user device has moved outside of a predetermined region or moved within the predetermined region if it was previously outside. In yet other implementations, the appliance may only measure the signal strength of signals from, and only transmit a signal to trigger control of an output of the user output interface of, a user device registered as a primary or prioritised user device of a user associated with the appliance. In alternative embodiments, the sensor equipment 120 is configured to sense the location of the user directly, rather than via a user device. If the sensor equipment senses the location of the user directly, the server and / or the appliance may decide to trigger control of an output of the user output interface of a user device registered as associated with a user to which the appliance is registered. For example, it may trigger control of the user output interface of the last user device that was used to interact with the appliance or of a known user device located near the appliance based on location data received from the user device. If the appliance also comprises a short-range wireless communication unit, in addition to sensor equipment that senses the location of the user directly, the appliance or the server may combine the data from the sensor and the wireless communication unit to determine on which user device to trigger the output.

[0111] In embodiments, the sensor data indicates either a presence of the user device 230 or an absence of the user device 230 in a predefined region of an environment of the household appliance 100. The predefined region may comprise, for example, a region in front of the household appliance 100 and within a predetermined distance of the household appliance 100. In alternative embodiments, the predefined region comprises a region within a predetermined distance of the household appliance 100 but extending in every direction around the household appliance 100. If the user device 230 is present in the predefined region, it may be determined that the user can monitor the household appliance 100 directly, e.g. via the display device 110 of the household appliance 100. Accordingly, there is no need to enable the user to monitor the household appliance 100 via the user device 230. If, however, the user device 230 is not present in the predefined region, it may be determined that the user cannot (or cannot easily) monitor the household appliance 100 directly. In embodiments, the signal is operable to trigger control of the output of the user output interface 235 in response to the sensor data indicating absence of the user device 230 in the predefined region. This enables the user to monitor the household appliance 100 via the user device 230 when the user is unlikely to be able to monitor the household appliance 100 directly.

[0112] In embodiments, the communications unit 205 is caused to transmit the signal based on an operational state of the household appliance 100. For example, the communications unit 205 may transmit the signal when the household appliance 100 is in a ‘cooking’ state, but not when the household appliance 100 is in a ‘pre-heating’ state. Accordingly, the remote monitoring process may be adapted to different operational states of the household appliance 100. In the ‘cooking’ state, for example, it may be considered more important and / or useful for the user to be able to monitor the household appliance 100 via the user device 230, e.g. to avoid overcooking food. In the ‘pre-heating’ state, on the other hand, it may be considered less important and / or useful for the user to be able to monitor the household appliance 100 via the user device 230, and thus monitoring via the user device 230 may be selectively disabled, thus saving energy and / or processing resources. In alternative embodiments, the communications unit 205 transmits the signal regardless of the operational state of the household appliance 100, but the output of the user output interface 235 of the user device 230 is controlled (e.g. by a server) based on the operational state of the household appliance 100. In further alternative embodiments, the output of the user output interface 235 is controlled independently of the operational state of the household appliance 100.

[0113] Figures 6a and 6b show schematically a display device 110 of the household appliance 100, according to embodiments. The display device 110 may comprise an LCD display screen, for example. In Figure 6a, the display device 110 is operating in a first state, and in Figure 6b, the display device 110 is operating in a second state.

[0114] The display device 110 may transition from the first state to the second state, and / or from the second state to the first state, based on the sensed location of a user relative to the household appliance 100, as described with reference to Figure 4 above. For example, the display device 110 may transition from the first state to the second state in response to a determination that the user is located at a distance from the household appliance 100 that is greater than a predetermined threshold distance. Similarly, the display device 110 may transition from the second state to the first state in response to a determination that the user is located at a distance from the household appliance 100 that is less than a predetermined threshold. In embodiments, the display device 110 transitions from the first state to the second state and / or from the second state to the first state based on control signals received from the controller 310 of the household appliance 100.

[0115] In the first state (shown in Figure 6a), the display device 110 displays first content 610. The first content 610 consists a first plurality of content items 611, 612, 613, 614, 615, 616. Each of the content items of the first content 610 may comprise at least part of a graphic, text, animation, alphanumeric characters, word, phrase, etc. Although six content items are shown in Figure 6a, it will be understood that the first content 610 may comprise any number of content items (including only a single content item).

[0116] In the second state (shown in Figure 6b), the display device 110 displays second content 620. The second content 620 is displayed in place of (i.e. instead of) the first content 610. The second content 620 consists of a second plurality of content items 611, 612, 622. As such, in this example, when transitioning from the first state to the second state, some of the content items 613, 614, 615, 616 are removed from the first content 610, and a new content item 622 is added. In embodiments, one or more of the removed content items 613, 614, 615, 616 comprises text, and the added content item 622 comprises a graphic. Graphics may be easier for a user to see and / or interpret from a distance than text. In other examples, some of the content items of the first content 610 may be removed and no new content items added, when transitioning from the first state to the second state. Similarly, when transitioning from the second state to the first state, the content item 622 is removed from the second content 620, and content items 613, 614, 615, 616 are added.

[0117] In the embodiments shown in Figures 6a and 6b, the second content 620 comprises fewer content items than the first content 610. Additionally, the content items of the second content 620 are displayed with an increased height, width and / or spacing compared to the content items of the first content 610. As such, the second content 620 may be easier for user to see and / or interpret (e.g. from a relatively great distance) than the first content 610. Moreover, the displaying of the second content 620 with an increased height, width and / or spacing may be enabled because the second content 620 comprises fewer content items than the first content 610. That is, removal of some content items from the first content 610 increases the available space on the display device 110 for displaying the remaining content items. In alternative embodiments, the content items of the second content 620 and the content items of the first content 610 are displayed with the same height, width and / or spacing. Although three content items are shown in Figure 6b, it will be understood that the second content 620 may comprise any number content items, and / or the second content 620 may comprise the same number or a different number of content items compared to the first content 610.

[0118] Figure 7 shows a method 700 of operating a household appliance, according to embodiments. The method 700 may be used to operate the household appliance 100 described above with reference to Figures 1 to 3. The household appliance 100 comprises a display device 110. In embodiments, the method 700 is performed at least in part by the controller 310. That is, the controller 310 is configured to perform at least some of the steps of the method 700.

[0119] At item 710, a distance of a user from the household appliance 100 is determined. The distance may be determined based on sensor data, e.g. generated by one or more sensors. The one or more sensors may be located on the household appliance 100 or may be located separately from the household appliance 100. In response to determining that the user is less than 40 centimetres (cm) from the household appliance 100, the display device 110 is caused at item 720 to display a ‘near view’ . The ‘near view’ comprises a first plurality of content items, e.g. graphics, text, numbers, etc. In response to determining that the user is between 40 cm and 100 cm from the household appliance 100, the display device 110 is caused at item 730 to display a ‘middle view’. The ‘middle view’ comprises fewer content items and / or different content items than the ‘near view’. In response to determining that the user is more than 100 cm from the household appliance, the display device 110 is caused at item 740 to display a ‘far view’. The ‘far view’ comprises fewer content items and / or different content items than the ‘middle view’. For example, the ‘far view’ may comprise only a single content item. Accordingly, the content displayed by the display device 110 may be adjusted based on the location of the user relative to the household appliance 100. For example, as the user moves further away from the household appliance 100, content items which have a relatively low priority and / or which may be more difficult for a user to see and / or interpret from a distance, may be removed from the displayed content, and content items which have a relatively high priority and / or which may be easier to see and / or interpret from a distance, may be maintained. As such, the displayed content is tailored to the user location relative to the household appliance 100.

[0120] It will be understood that different distances may be used as thresholds for controlling the display device 110 in other embodiments. Furthermore, while the display device 110 is operable to display three distance-dependent ‘views’ in the example shown in Figure 7, it will be understood that the display device 110 may be operable to display more or fewer than three ‘views’ in other embodiments. For example, in some embodiments, a single threshold distance is used (e.g. 100 cm), and the display device 110 is operable to display either a ‘near view’ or a ‘far view’ depending on whether the user is determined to be located at a distance that is more or less than the threshold distance from the household appliance 100. The ‘near view’ and the ‘far view’ may, for example, correspond to the first and second states of the display device 110 shown in Figures 6a and 6b, respectively. In other embodiments, two, or more than two, different thresholds are used.

[0121] It is to be understood that any feature described in relation to any one embodiment and / or aspect may be used alone, or in combination with other features described, and may also be used in combination with one or more features of any other of the embodiments and / or aspects, or any combination of any other of the embodiments and / or aspects.

[0122] In embodiments of the present disclosure, the household appliance 100 comprises a controller 310. The controller 310 is configured to perform various methods described herein. In embodiments, the controller comprises a processing system. Such a processing system may comprise one or more processors and / or memory. Each device, component, or function as described in relation to any of the examples described herein, for example the server 220, user device 230, sensor equipment 120, display device 110 and communications unit 205, may similarly comprise a processor or may be comprised in apparatus comprising a processor. One or more aspects of the embodiments described herein comprise processes performed by apparatus. In some examples, the apparatus comprises one or more processors configured to carry out these processes. In this regard, embodiments may be implemented at least in part by computer software stored in (non-transitory) memory and executable by the processor, or by hardware, or by a combination of tangibly stored software and hardware (and tangibly stored firmware). Embodiments also extend to computer programs, particularly computer programs on or in a carrier, adapted for putting the above described embodiments into practice.

[0123] The one or more processors of processing systems may comprise a central processing unit (CPU). The one or more processors may comprise a graphics processing unit (GPU). The one or more processors may comprise one or more of a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic device (PLD), or a complex programmable logic device (CPLD). The one or more processors may comprise an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). It will be appreciated by the skilled person that many other types of device, in addition to the examples provided, may be used to provide the one or more processors. The one or more processors may comprise multiple co-located processors or multiple disparately located processors. Operations performed by the one or more processors may be carried out by one or more of hardware, firmware, and software. It will be appreciated that processing systems may comprise more, fewer and / or different components from those described.

[0124] The techniques described herein may be implemented in software or hardware, or may be implemented using a combination of software and hardware. They may include configuring an apparatus to carry out and / or support any or all of techniques described herein. Although at least some aspects of the examples described herein with reference to the drawings comprise computer processes performed in processing systems or processors, examples described herein also extend to computer programs, for example computer programs on or in a carrier, adapted for putting the examples into practice. The carrier may be any entity or device capable of carrying the program. The carrier may comprise a computer readable storage media. Examples of tangible computer-readable storage media include, but are not limited to, an optical medium (e.g., CD-ROM, DVD-ROM or Blu-ray), flash memory card, floppy or hard disk or any other medium capable of storing computer-readable instructions such as firmware or microcode in at least one ROM or RAM or Programmable ROM (PROM) chips.

[0125] Where in the foregoing description, integers or elements are mentioned which have known, obvious or foreseeable equivalents, then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth. Reference should be made to the claims for determining the true scope of the present disclosure, which should be construed so as to encompass any such equivalents. It will also be appreciated by the reader that integers or features of the present disclosure that are described as preferable, advantageous, convenient or the like are optional and do not limit the scope of the independent claims. Moreover, it is to be understood that such optional integers or features, whilst of possible benefit in some embodiments of the present disclosure, may not be desirable, and may therefore be absent, in other embodiments.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A household appliance comprising: a display device operable to display first content comprising one or more content items; sensor equipment configured to generate sensor data indicative of a location of a user relative to the household appliance; and a controller configured to: receive the sensor data from the sensor equipment; based on the location of the user relative to the household appliance indicated by the sensor data, determine second content for display by the display device, wherein determining the second content comprises adding a content item to the one or more content items of the first content and / or removing a content item from the one or more content items of the first content; and cause the display device to display the second content.

2. A household appliance according to claim 1, wherein the sensor data indicates a change in the location of the user relative to the household appliance, and wherein the controller is configured to determine the second content in response to receiving the sensor data indicating the change in the location of the user relative to the household appliance.

3. A household appliance according to any preceding claim, wherein the sensor data indicates that the user is located at a distance from the household appliance that is greater than a predetermined threshold distance, and wherein determining the second content comprises removing a content item from the one or more content items of the first content.

4. A household appliance according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the sensor data indicates that the user is located at a distance from the household appliance that is less than a predetermined threshold distance, andwherein determining the second content comprises adding a content item to the one or more content items of the first content.

5. A household appliance according to any preceding claim, wherein determining the second content comprises removing a first content item from the one or more content items of the first content and adding a second, different, content item to the one or more content items of the first content.

6. A household appliance according to any preceding claim, wherein each of the one or more content items of the first content comprises at least part of: a word, a graphic, a phrase, a number, a letter and / or an alphanumeric character.

7. A household appliance according to any preceding claim, wherein the first content comprises one or more alphanumeric characters, and wherein determining the second content comprises removing the one or more alphanumeric characters from the first content and adding a graphic to the first content.

8. A household appliance according to any preceding claim, wherein the display device is operable to display the first content in accordance with a first value of a display parameter, and wherein the controller is configured to cause the display device to display the second content in accordance with a second, different value of the display parameter.

9. A household appliance according to claim 8, wherein the display parameter comprises a height, a width and / or a spacing of displayed content.

10. A household appliance according to any preceding claim, wherein the second content consists of a plurality of content items, and wherein the controller is configured to cause the display device to display the plurality of content items of the second content simultaneously.

11. A household appliance according to any preceding claim, wherein the controller is configured to determine the second content based on an operational state of the household appliance.

12. A household appliance according to any preceding claim, wherein the sensor equipment comprises a proximity sensor.

13. A household appliance according to any preceding claim, wherein the sensor equipment comprises an infrared sensor.

14. A household appliance according to any preceding claim, wherein the sensor equipment is configured to sense proximity of a user device by receiving a wireless signal from the user device, and wherein the controller is configured to determine the location of the user relative to the household appliance based on the sensed proximity of the user device.

15. A household appliance comprising: a display device operable to display first content comprising one or more content items; and a controller configured to: receive sensor data from sensor equipment, the sensor data indicative of a location of a user relative to the household appliance; based on the location of the user relative to the household appliance indicated by the sensor data, determine second content for display by the display device, wherein determining the second content comprises adding a content item to the one or more content items of the first content and / or removing a content item from the one or more content items of the first content; and cause the display device to display the second content.

16. A system comprising: a household appliance; a display device operable to display first content comprising one or more content items;sensor equipment configured to generate sensor data indicative of a location of a user relative to the household appliance; and a controller configured to: receive the sensor data from the sensor equipment; based on the location of the user relative to the household appliance indicated by the sensor data, determine second content for display by the display device, wherein determining the second content comprises adding a content item to the one or more content items of the first content and / or removing a content item from the one or more content items of the first content; and cause the display device to display the second content.

17. A system according to claim 16, wherein the household appliance comprises one or more of: the display device, the sensor equipment, and the controller.

18. A method of operating a household appliance, the household appliance comprising a display device operable to display first content comprising one or more content items, the method comprising: receiving sensor data from sensor equipment, the sensor data indicative of a location of a user relative to the household appliance; based on the location of the user relative to the household appliance indicated by the sensor data, determining second content for display by the display device, wherein determining the second content comprises adding a content item to the one or more content items of the first content and / or removing a content item from the one or more content items of the first content; and causing the display device to display the second content.

19. A computer program comprising a set of instructions which, when executed by a computerised device, cause the computerised device to perform a method of operating a household appliance, the household appliance comprising a display device operable to display first content comprising one or more content items, the method comprising: receiving sensor data from sensor equipment, the sensor data indicative of a location of a user relative to the household appliance;based on the location of the user relative to the household appliance indicated by the sensor data, determining second content for display by the display device, wherein determining the second content comprises adding a content item to the one or more content items of the first content and / or removing a content item from the one or more content items of the first content; and causing the display device to display the second content.

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