Operator control device for domestic appliances

Abstract

The aim of the invention is to increase flexibility, operating comfort, and reliability. This is achieved by an operator control device for domestic appliances (10a; 10b), comprising an operator interface (12a) and a communication unit (14a; 14b) at least for receiving at least one NFC signal from a domestic appliance device (40a) and for at least partly supplying energy to at least the operator interface (12a) by means of the NFC signal.

Description

[0001] Household appliance control device

[0002] The invention relates to a household appliance operating device according to claim 1, a household appliance system according to claim 9 and a method for operating a household appliance operating device according to claim 13.

[0003] An operating device for a household appliance is already known from the prior art, which communicates wirelessly with the household appliance, for example via WLAN or Bluetooth.

[0004] The object of the invention is, in particular but not limited to, to advantageously improve a generic device. This object is achieved according to the invention by the features of claims 1, 9, and 13, while advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention can be found in the subclaims.

[0005] A household appliance operating device is proposed having a user interface and having a communication unit at least for receiving at least one NFC signal from a household appliance and for at least partially supplying energy to at least the user interface by the NFC signal.

[0006] By means of such a configuration, a flexibility of an arrangement of the household appliance control device, in particular with regard to an arrangement relative to the household appliance, can be advantageously increased, in particular in comparison to a wired communication and / or with regard to an energy supply between the household appliance control device and the household appliance.

[0007] Advantageously, a changeable position of the household appliance operating device can increase operating comfort, particularly with regard to appearance and / or cleaning efficiency. In particular, changing an internal energy source, particularly a rechargeable battery and / or a battery of a household appliance and / or the household appliance, can be advantageously reduced or avoided. Furthermore, safety can be increased in that an operating operation at the user interface can only influence a process and / or state of the household appliance if there is only a small distance, particularly typical for NFC communication, between the communication unit and the household appliance. This can advantageously ensure supervision of a change in an operation of the household appliance by an operator.Furthermore, cost efficiency and / or installation efficiency, particularly with regard to the installation of a connection between the household appliance control device and the household appliance, can be advantageously increased. Furthermore, a particularly compact design of a household appliance system can be achieved, for which interference with other components can be particularly advantageously reduced and / or avoided.

[0008] The household appliance device is in particular at least part, in particular a subassembly, of a household appliance. The household appliance device is preferably a large household appliance device of a large household appliance, wherein the large household appliance, in particular when installed in a room, is preferably stationary and / or cannot be transported manually by the one operator. It would be conceivable for the household appliance to be designed as a household refrigeration appliance, for example as a refrigerator and / or freezer, or as a dishwasher or a washing machine and / or a dryer or the like. Advantageously, the household appliance having the household appliance device is a cooking appliance. In particular, the household appliance device is a household cooking appliance.The household appliance designed as a cooking appliance could, for example, be an oven and / or a microwave and / or a grill and / or a steamer. In particular, the household appliance operating device can particularly advantageously meet a safety standard with regard to influencing a heating process of the cooking appliance, wherein the safety standard in particular stipulates that the heating process can only be influenced by the operator within sight of the operator. Advantageously, the household appliance designed as a cooking appliance is a hob and preferably an induction hob. Preferably, the household appliance device is designed as an induction hob device and in particular forms at least part of the induction hob. The household appliance device and / or the household appliance preferably has / have a heating unit for inductively heating cooking utensils.The household appliance device and / or the household appliance can have at least one further heating unit for inductively heating at least one further cooking utensil. The household appliance device preferably has at least one NFC unit, which is provided at least for transmitting the NFC signal to the communication unit. The NFC unit preferably has at least one NFC reader or is designed as such. The household appliance control device preferably has at least one NFC tag, which in particular receives power from the NFC reader and exchanges information with it.

[0009] The household appliance control device is, in particular, at least part, in particular at least a subassembly, of an operating device for the household appliance and / or can also be part of a mobile device, for example, a smartphone and / or a tablet. It is conceivable that the operating device, in addition to the household appliance control device, has additional units and / or elements, for example, a housing and / or electronic elements. Alternatively, it is conceivable that the household appliance control device completely forms the operating device.

[0010] The user interface preferably has at least one operating element, which is particularly intended to influence and / or change a process and / or a state of the household appliance device and / or the household appliance through actuation and / or through the input of parameters. The operating element is preferably intended to be contacted directly by an operator, wherein touching the operating element is sensed and / or an actuating force exerted on the operating element is sensed and / or mechanically transmitted to actuate a unit, in particular a switching unit. The operating element can be designed mechanically or digitally, in particular as a touch-sensitive button, for example on a touch control and / or a touchpad.The control element can be designed, for example, as a switch and / or a knob and / or a push-button, in particular as a push-button switch and / or a rotary switch and / or a slide switch, or the like. Alternatively, another design of the control element that appears appropriate to a person skilled in the art is conceivable.

[0011] Alternatively or additionally, the user interface preferably has at least one output unit for outputting at least one piece of information, in particular setting information relating to a setting state of the at least one operating element. The output unit is preferably provided to visually display the at least one piece of information, in particular the setting information. The output unit preferably has at least one display. Alternatively or additionally, it would be conceivable for the output unit to have at least one display element other than a display, for example a lamp. Alternatively or additionally, it would also be conceivable for the output unit to be provided to output the at least one piece of information, in particular the setting information, haptically and / or acoustically.It would be conceivable for the output unit, particularly in a design as a touchpad, to be formed at least partially in one piece with the at least one operating element. Alternatively or additionally, it would be conceivable for the output unit to be provided to output at least one further piece of information, for example about a heating state of the household appliance and / or a time and / or a status of the power supply and / or a temperature or the like. It is conceivable for the household appliance operating device to have at least one functional unit, for example for measuring temperature and / or determining time or the like. It is conceivable for the functional unit to be supplied with energy via a battery and / or a rechargeable battery. Alternatively or additionally, it is particularly conceivable for the functional unit to be supplied with energy by means of the communication unit via the NFC signal.

[0012] The household appliance control device may comprise a printed circuit, which is particularly flexible, for example, to provide different circuit shapes. The household appliance control device and / or the household appliance may comprise a cover layer for covering the circuit, which may comprise different materials, in particular to provide different aesthetics and / or textures.

[0013] The household appliance control device and the household appliance device are preferably part of a household appliance system. The household appliance system preferably has a placement plate for supporting and / or securing the household appliance control device. The placement plate is arranged, in particular, at least in a supporting state and / or securing state, between the household appliance control device and the household appliance device. In an installed position, the household appliance device is preferably arranged below the placement plate. Alternatively, a different arrangement would be conceivable, wherein the household appliance control device can be attached, for example, to the side of an oven or a microwave or the like. The placement plate is preferably designed as a support plate, in particular for supporting the cooking utensil.The placement plate can be designed as a hob plate, wherein the household appliance device designed as a hob device and the hob plate can in this case be part of the hob or can form it. Preferably, however, the placement plate is designed as a kitchen worktop. The kitchen worktop is formed in particular from a non-metallic material. The placement plate can, for example, comprise and / or be formed from glass and / or glass ceramic and / or Neolith and / or Dekton and / or wood and / or marble and / or stone, in particular natural stone and / or artificial stone, and / or laminate and / or plastic and / or ceramic and / or a composite material.Preferably, the kitchen worktop, particularly in contrast to the hob plate, is additionally provided to provide a food preparation area, in particular in which, for example, cutting and / or mixing and / or pounding and / or peeling of food could be carried out. The kitchen worktop is preferably designed as the placement plate. Alternatively, it would be conceivable for the kitchen worktop to be designed merely as a top plate, for example on an oven, wherein a cooking process and / or cooking utensil is / are arranged, in particular, merely below the kitchen worktop. Advantageously, the household appliance operating device can interact with the household appliance device without corresponding processing, for example a drilled hole, in the placement plate, which would be necessary, in particular, for wired interaction, whereby the appearance can be advantageously enhanced.Preferably, the placement plate has a closed surface and, in particular, a constant thickness. Alternatively, it is conceivable for the household appliance control device and / or the control device to be at least partially embedded in the placement plate.

[0014] It is conceivable that the household appliance operating device and / or the operating device is / are designed to be portable and, in particular, can be transported manually by an operator. The placement plate can have at least one marking for at least one placement position of the household appliance operating device and / or the operating device, wherein, in particular, at least one reception of the NFC signal is possible in the placement position. Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable, for example, for the output unit to indicate the placement position. It would be conceivable for the household appliance operating device to be provided for communication with and / or for at least partial power supply by at least one further household appliance, in particular of the household appliance system, by means of NFC.It would be conceivable for the operating device and / or the household appliance operating device to be transported by the operator between the household appliance and the at least one further household appliance, in particular between the placement position and at least one further placement position, in order to interact with the household appliance or the further household appliance.

[0015] It is conceivable that the household appliance control device and / or the operating device can be detachably connected to the placement plate, for example via a plug connection and / or magnetically and / or the like, wherein the detachable connection can be released by the operator, in particular without the use of tools. Alternatively, it is conceivable that the household appliance control device and / or the operating device has a fixed position relative to the household appliance, at least in one installation position. In particular, it is conceivable that the household appliance control device and / or the operating device is / are firmly connected to the placement plate, for example by an adhesive and / or screw connection or the like.

[0016] The communication unit has, in particular, an antenna and / or at least one coil for at least receiving the NFC signal. The communication unit is designed, in particular, for energy harvesting from the NFC signal. The communication unit can have an electronic unit, which is designed, in particular, for rectifying and / or adapting the current received by the NFC signal, in particular the high-frequency current, in particular to supply the user interface and / or other units, for example, a microcontroller. The electronic unit can be designed as a simple adaptation circuit.

[0017] The NFC signal is, in particular, a signal according to a known Near Field Communication (NFC) transmission standard. The NFC signal preferably has a range of at least 5 cm and preferably of at least 10 cm, wherein the placement plate in particular has a thickness that is smaller than the NFC range. Preferably, in addition to receiving the NFC signal, the communication unit is also provided for at least partial power supply and for receiving at least one piece of information from the household appliance carried by the NFC signal. The user interface, in particular the output unit, can be provided for outputting the information of the NFC signal.

[0018] It is conceivable that the household appliance operating device and / or the operating interface is / are intended to be supplied with energy only partially by the NFC signal. In particular, it is conceivable that the household appliance operating device and / or the operating device has / have a further energy source, for example a rechargeable battery and / or a battery and / or a wired connection and / or a unit for receiving further wireless energy, for example from the heating unit, for a partial energy supply. It is conceivable that the output unit, in particular the display, is at least partially supplied with energy by the further energy source. Preferably, at least the operating interface is intended to be supplied with energy only via the communication unit by means of the NFC signal.The household appliance control device and / or the operating interface can be designed to be powered solely by the NFC signal.

[0019] "Intended" should be understood as specifically programmed, designed, and / or equipped. The fact that an object is intended for a specific function should be understood as meaning that the object fulfills and / or performs this specific function in at least one application and / or operating state.

[0020] It is further proposed that the communication unit is provided for sending at least one further NFC signal to the household appliance device. This makes it possible to provide an advantageous bidirectional connection between the communication unit and the household appliance device. Advantageously, the information, in particular the setting information, can be communicated to the household appliance device. The household appliance operating device is provided in particular for controlling the household appliance device, in particular by the operator. Preferably, the further NFC signal comprises at least one control command and / or status information of the household appliance operating device, in particular of the operator interface. The control command preferably influences an operation, in particular a heating process, of the household appliance device, in particular of the heating unit.The household appliance device, in particular the NFC unit, is preferably configured to receive the additional NFC signal. The household appliance device, in particular the NFC unit, is preferably configured to process the control command and / or the status information of the household appliance control device and, in particular, to control the heating unit based on these.

[0021] It is also proposed that the household appliance operating device has a switching unit, in particular as mentioned above, with at least two switching elements, which can be switched via the user interface, in particular via the at least one operating element. Advantageously, an operating operation of the operating element can be converted into an electrical signal in a particularly simple manner. It is conceivable for the household appliance operating device to have the same number of switching elements and operating elements. It is conceivable that, in particular, only one respective switching element element is assigned to the operating element and, in particular, only one respective operating element is assigned to the switching element element. Preferably, the operating element has, in particular only, two setting states, for which the assigned switching element is, in particular, open or closed.Alternatively, it is conceivable for the household appliance control device to have a different number of switching elements and operating elements. It is particularly conceivable for the household appliance control device to have fewer operating elements than switching elements, with at least one operating element, in particular, having at least more than two setting states.

[0022] It is further proposed that the household appliance operating device has a processing unit which is provided to process at least one switching position of the switching unit and, based on the processing, to provide at least one item of information, in particular as mentioned above, to the communication unit. As a result, the setting state of the at least one operating element can advantageously be provided to the communication unit and in particular by means of the communication unit and the further NFC signal to the household appliance. The processing unit is in particular electrically connected to the switching unit. The communication unit is preferably electrically connected to the processing unit. The processing unit is in particular electrically connected to the output unit. The processing unit is preferably provided to provide the information, in particular the setting information, to the output unit.This advantageously allows the operator to be informed about the setting status of the control element and, in particular, about the heating process of the heating unit. Alternatively or additionally, the processing unit can be designed to process at least one piece of information from the NFC signal and provide it to the output unit.

[0023] The processing unit can be provided for at least partial adaptation, in particular at least regulation of a power, of the current provided by the energy supply to at least the operator interface, whereby the communication unit can in particular have a simplified electronic unit or be designed free of the electronic unit.

[0024] It is further proposed that the processing unit have at least two processing subunits, each of which is assigned to a switching element and is each provided for transmitting unchangeable information to the communication unit, whereby in particular the complexity and / or energy consumption of the processing unit can be advantageously reduced. The processing unit can in particular be designed without a microcontroller. Advantageously, the unchangeable information can be provided to the communication unit in a particularly simple manner and / or particularly quickly, in particular within less than 0.1 s. In such an embodiment of the processing unit, the operating element is preferably designed mechanically. In each case one processing subunit of the processing subunits and one switching element of the switching elements are in particular precisely assigned to one another.A respective piece of immutable information preferably comprises information relating to the position of only one switching element. The immutable information of different processing units is, in particular, different from one another. The immutable information is preferably predetermined by the processing subunit and, in particular, is part of a memory of the processing subunit. The processing subunit is preferably embodied as an NFC IC (integrated circuit). The switching unit is preferably provided for selecting the respective piece of immutable information provided to the communication unit depending on the setting state.

[0025] The processing subunit is preferably connected in series with the respective associated switching element and in particular in parallel with, in particular, all other switching elements of the switching unit. Furthermore, it is proposed that the processing subunits be connected in parallel with one another. In particular, the switching elements are connected in parallel with one another. Advantageously, the respective unchangeable information can be uniquely assigned to the switching position of a respective switching element.

[0026] It is also proposed that the processing subunits be electrically decoupled at least from one another and from the communication unit outside of an operating state of the user interface, in particular of the at least one operating element. The processing subunits can be electrically decoupled in particular by means of the switching elements. The switching elements are provided in particular for opening and / or closing a respective electrical circuit. The processing subunits can be electrically coupled to one another and to the communication unit in particular by means of the user interface, in particular by means of the operating element. As a result, only one processing subunit can be supplied with power in a particularly simple manner during an operating operation of the user interface, in particular of the operating element, in the operating state and in particular can provide the unchangeable information to the communication unit.In the operating state, at least one operating element is preferably activated, wherein in particular at least one switching element is closed and electrically coupled to the communication unit.

[0027] In a further embodiment of the invention, it is proposed that the processing unit has a microcontroller, in particular one mentioned above, which analyzes the switching position in at least one operating state and, based on this, provides variable information to the communication unit. Advantageously, the number of processing subunits, in particular the individual NFC ICs, can be reduced. The microcontroller is preferably electrically connected to the output unit. The microcontroller can provide the output unit with at least the variable information and / or information from the NFC signal and, in particular, a display format. Advantageously, the microcontroller can control the output unit, in particular the display. In the operating state, the household appliance control device, in particular at least the switching unit and the processing unit, is supplied with energy.

[0028] The processing unit preferably has only one processing subunit. The microcontroller is preferably connected between the processing subunit and the switching unit. The processing subunit is preferably connected between the microcontroller and the communication unit. The microcontroller is particularly intended to provide the variable information to the communication unit by means of the processing subunit, for example, by the microcontroller modifying the information stored in the memory of the processing subunit. Alternatively, the microcontroller can provide the variable information to the communication unit in another manner that appears appropriate to a person skilled in the art.

[0029] The user interface, in particular the output unit, can have just one display or at least two displays, which can each be assigned to a switching element and / or an operating element. The display can in particular have a seven-segment display. It is conceivable for the user interface, in particular the output unit, to have at least one LCD display and in particular for each display of the user interface to be designed as an LCD display. This can advantageously reduce energy consumption of the user interface, in particular of the display. In particular, the household appliance operating device can advantageously be supplied with energy for operation solely via the NFC signal. Furthermore, a display with an advantageous response time and / or display quality can be provided.In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, however, it is proposed that the user interface has at least one e-paper display. Preferably, each display of the user interface, in particular of the output unit, is made of electronic paper (e-paper). This makes it possible to achieve particularly low energy consumption of the user interface, in particular of the output unit. In particular, particularly low energy consumption can be achieved for a constant display in which the display information in particular does not change. The e-paper display can be provided to continue displaying display information after the power supply to the e-paper display is interrupted, wherein the display information is in particular unchangeable after the power supply is interrupted.

[0030] Furthermore, a method for operating the household appliance control device is proposed, wherein the communication unit receives at least one NFC signal from the household appliance and supplies at least the user interface with power, at least partially, via the NFC signal. This can advantageously increase flexibility and / or ease of use and / or security, particularly of the household appliance control device.

[0031] The method preferably comprises a method step, in particular a receiving step, in which the NFC signal is received and at least the user interface is at least partially supplied with energy. The method preferably comprises a further method step, in particular an operating step, which in particular takes place after the receiving step. In the operating step, a setting state of the operating element is preferably processed and, in particular, information about the setting state of the communication unit is provided. For example, the information about the setting state can be output to the output unit in the operating step. Alternatively or additionally, information from the NFC signal can be processed in the operating step and, in particular, output to the output unit.In a further method step, in particular a transmission step, of the method, the communication unit preferably transmits the further NFC signal to the household appliance. The transmission step takes place, in particular, after the operator step.

[0032] The household appliance control device, the household appliance system, and the method for operating a household appliance control device are not intended to be limited to the application and embodiment described above. In particular, the household appliance control device, the household appliance system, and the method for operating a household appliance control device may have a number of individual elements, components, units, and method steps that differs from the number stated herein to fulfill a functionality described herein.

[0033] Further advantages will become apparent from the following description of the drawings. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention. The drawings, the description, and the claims contain numerous features in combination. Those skilled in the art will also expediently consider the features individually and combine them into useful further combinations.

[0034] Shown are: Fig. 1 A schematic representation of a side view of a household appliance system with a household appliance control device and a household appliance device,

[0035] Fig. 2 is a plan view of the household appliance control device,

[0036] Fig. 3 is a simplified circuit diagram of the household appliance control device,

[0037] Fig. 4 is a flowchart for a method for operating the household appliance and

[0038] Fig. 5 is a schematic circuit diagram of an alternative embodiment of the household appliance control device.

[0039] Figure 1 shows a household appliance system 50a with a household appliance control device 10a and a household appliance device 40a. The household appliance control device 10a is provided for the operator to control the household appliance device 40a.

[0040] The household appliance device 40a forms at least part of a household appliance 62a. The household appliance device 40a is designed as an induction hob device 60a of an induction hob 64a. Alternatively, another design of the household appliance device 40a and the household appliance 62a that would be deemed appropriate by a person skilled in the art would be conceivable, for example, as a different cooking appliance device and a different cooking appliance.

[0041] The household appliance 40a has a heating unit 42a for inductively heating a cooking utensil 44a. Alternatively, it would be conceivable for the household appliance 62a to have the heating unit 42a. The cooking utensil 44a is embodied as a pot.

[0042] The household appliance system 50a has a placement plate 52a for supporting and / or securing the household appliance operating device 10a. The placement plate 52a is arranged between the household appliance operating device 10a and the household appliance device 40a. The household appliance device 40a is arranged below the placement plate 52a. The placement plate 52a is provided for placing the cooking utensil 44a on the placement plate 52a. The placement plate 52a is designed as a kitchen worktop 54a. Alternatively, it would be conceivable, for example, for the placement plate 52a to be designed as a hob plate. Figure 2 shows the household appliance operating device 10a in a plan view. The household appliance operating device 10a has a user interface 12a. The user interface 12a has an operating element 36a.The control element 36a is designed to be contacted directly by an operator for actuation. The control element 36a is designed to influence a heating process of the heating unit 42a through actuation by the operator. The control element 36a can be designed, for example, as a mechanical switch. Alternatively, it is conceivable that the control element 36a is designed digitally, for example, on a touchpad, or as another mechanical switch that would be deemed appropriate by a person skilled in the art.

[0043] The operator interface 12a has at least one further operating element 38a. The operator interface 12a has a plurality of further operating elements 38a, with only one further operating element 38a being designated. The further operating element 38a and the operating element 36a are identical to one another.

[0044] The user interface 12a has an output unit 30a for outputting at least one piece of information. The output unit 30a is provided for outputting setting information regarding a setting state of the operating elements 36a, 38a. The output unit 30a is designed as a display 32a. Alternatively, it is conceivable for the output unit 30a to have at least two displays, each of which can be assigned, for example, to a single operating element 36a, 38a or to a pair and / or group of operating elements 36a, 38a.

[0045] Alternatively, it is conceivable that the operator interface 12a only has the at least one operating element 36a or only has the output unit 30a.

[0046] The user interface 12a has at least one e-paper display 34a. The display 32a is configured as an e-paper display 34a. Alternatively, it is conceivable that the display 32a is configured as an LCD display.

[0047] Figure 3 shows a simplified circuit diagram of the household appliance operating device 10a. The household appliance operating device 10a has a communication unit 14a for receiving at least one NFC signal from the household appliance device 40a (see Figure 1) and for at least partially supplying power to at least the user interface (12a) via the NFC signal. The communication unit 14a is provided for transmitting at least one further NFC signal to the household appliance device 40a. The further NFC signal comprises at least one control command and / or status information depending on the setting state of the operating element 36a and / or the at least one further operating element 36a.

[0048] The household appliance device 40a has at least one NFC unit 56a, which is provided at least for transmitting the NFC signal to the communication unit 14a and for receiving the further NFC signal (see Figure 1). The NFC unit 56a is provided for processing the control command and / or the status information of the household appliance control device 10a. The NFC unit 56a is provided for controlling the heating unit 42a based on the processing.

[0049] The communication unit 14a has an antenna 46a for receiving the NFC signal and for transmitting the further NFC signal. The communication unit 14a has an electronics unit 48a, which is provided for adjusting the current received by the NFC signal.

[0050] The operator interface 12a is intended to be powered solely by the communication unit 14a. Alternatively, it would be conceivable for the operator interface 12a to be partially powered by another power source (not shown).

[0051] The household appliance control device 10a has a switching unit 16a with at least two switching elements 20a, 22a, which can be switched via the user interface 12a. The switching unit 16a has a first switching element 20a and at least one further switching element 22a, with only one further switching element 22a being designated. The switching element 20a and the further switching element 22a are identical to one another. The switching unit 16a is provided to convert an operating operation of the at least one operating element 36a into an electrical signal.

[0052] The household appliance operating device 10a has a processing unit 18a, which is designed to process at least one switching position of the switching unit 16a and, based on the processing, to provide at least one piece of information to the communication unit 14a. The processing unit 18a is electrically connected to the switching unit 16a. The communication unit 14a is electrically connected to the processing unit 18a. The processing unit 18a is designed to provide the information to the output unit 30a. The processing unit 18a is electrically connected to the output unit 30a. The information corresponds to the information about the setting state of the operating elements 36a, 38a.

[0053] The switching unit 16a is intended to be supplied with energy solely by the communication unit 14a. The processing unit 18a is intended to be supplied with energy solely by the communication unit 14a. Alternatively, it would be conceivable for the switching unit 16a and / or the processing unit 18a to be supplied with energy at least partially by the additional energy source.

[0054] The processing unit 18a has a microcontroller 28a, which analyzes the switching position in at least one operating state and, based on this, provides variable information to the communication unit 14a. The variable information corresponds to the information about the setting state of the control elements 36a, 38a. The microcontroller 28a is electrically connected to the output unit 30a. The microcontroller 28a is designed to provide the information to the output unit 30a. The microcontroller 28a is connected between the switching unit 16a and the output unit 30a.

[0055] The processing unit 18a has a processing subunit 24a. The processing subunit 24a is embodied as an NFC IC. The processing unit 18a has only a single processing subunit 24a. The microcontroller 28a is connected between the processing subunit 24a and the switching unit 16a. The processing subunit 24a is connected between the microcontroller 28a and the communication unit 14a. The microcontroller 28a is designed to provide the information to the communication unit 14a via the processing subunit 24a. The microcontroller 28a is designed to modify information stored in the processing subunit 24a, which is provided to the communication unit 14a.

[0056] Figure 4 shows a method for operating the household appliance operating device 10a. The method comprises a receiving step 100, in which the NFC signal is received and at least the user interface 12a is at least partially supplied with energy. In an operator step 102 of the method, the setting state of the operating elements 36a, 38a is processed, and the information about the setting state is provided to the communication unit 14a. In the operator step 102, the information about the setting state is output to the output unit 30a. The method comprises a transmitting step 104, in which the communication unit 14a transmits the further NFC signal to the household appliance device 40a.

[0057] Of multiple objects, only one is provided with a reference symbol in the figures.

[0058] Figure 5 shows a further embodiment of the invention. The following descriptions are essentially limited to the differences between the embodiments, whereby reference can be made to the description of the embodiment in Figures 1 to 4 with regard to identical components, features and functions. To distinguish the embodiments, the letter a in the reference numerals of the embodiment in Figures 1 to 4 has been replaced by the letter b in the reference numerals of the embodiment in Figure 5. With regard to components with the same designation, in particular with regard to components with the same reference numerals, reference can also be made to the drawings and / or the description of the embodiment in Figures 1 to 4.

[0059] A user interface (not shown) has at least one control element (not shown). The user interface is, for example, designed without an output unit. Alternatively, the user interface could have an output unit.

[0060] A processing unit 18b has at least two processing subunits 24b, 26b, each of which is assigned to a switching element 20b, 22b and is each provided for transmitting a fixed piece of information to a communication unit 14b. The processing unit 18b has a processing subunit 24b and a further processing subunit 26b. The processing subunit 24b and the further processing subunit 26b each have at least one different piece of fixed information. The fixed information is stored in the respective processing subunit 24b, 26b. The fixed information corresponds in each case to information about a switching position of a respective switching element 20b, 22b.

[0061] The processing subunit 24b and a switching element 20b can be precisely assigned to one another. The processing subunit 24b and a switching element 20b are connected in series. The same applies to the further processing unit 26a and the further switching element 20b.

[0062] The processing subunits 24b, 26b are connected in parallel to one another. The switching elements 20b, 22b are connected in parallel to one another. The processing subunit 24b and the switching element 20b are connected in parallel to the further processing subunit 26b and the further switching element 20b.

[0063] The processing subunits 24b, 26b are electrically decoupled at least from one another and from the communication unit 14b outside of an operating state of the operator interface. The processing subunits 24b, 26b are electrically decoupled by means of open switching elements 20b, 22b. The processing subunits 24b, 26b are electrically coupled to one another and to the communication unit 14b by means of closed switching elements 20b, 22b. The processing subunits 24b, 26b can be electrically coupled to one another and to the communication unit 14b by means of the operator interface, in particular by means of the operating element.

[0064] Reference symbol

[0065] 10 Household appliance control device

[0066] 12 User interface

[0067] 14 Communication unit

[0068] 16 Switching unit

[0069] 18 processing unit

[0070] 20 switching element

[0071] 22 additional switching element

[0072] 24 processing subunit

[0073] 26 additional processing units

[0074] 28 microcontrollers

[0075] 30 output units

[0076] 32 displays

[0077] 34 e-paper displays

[0078] 36 Control element

[0079] 38 additional control element

[0080] 40 household appliance device

[0081] 42 Heating unit

[0082] 44 cooking utensils

[0083] 46 Antenna

[0084] 48 Electronic unit

[0085] 50 household appliance system

[0086] 52 Placement plate

[0087] 54 kitchen worktop

[0088] 56 NFC unit

[0089] 60 induction hob device

[0090] 62 household appliances

[0091] 64 induction hob

[0092] 100 Receive step 102 Operator step

[0093] 104 Send step

Claims

Claims 1. Household appliance operating device (10a; 10b) with a user interface (12a) and with a communication unit (14a; 14b) at least for receiving at least one NFC signal from a household appliance (40a) and for at least partially supplying energy to at least the user interface (12a) by the NFC signal.

2. Household appliance operating device (10a; 10b) according to claim 1, characterized in that the communication unit (14a; 14b) is provided for transmitting at least one further NFC signal to the household appliance device (40a).

3. Household appliance operating device (10a; 10b) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by a switching unit (16a; 16b) with at least two switching elements (20a; 20b, 22a; 22b) which can be switched by the user interface (12a), and a processing unit (18a, 18b) which is provided to process at least one switching position of the switching unit (16a; 16b) and to provide at least one item of information to the communication unit (14a; 14b) based on the processing.

4. Household appliance operating device (10b) according to claim 3, characterized in that the processing unit (18b) has at least two processing sub-units (24b, 26b), which are each assigned to a switching element (20b, 22b) and are each provided for transmitting unchangeable information to the communication unit (14b).

5. Household appliance operating device (10b) according to claim 4, characterized in that the processing subunits (24b, 26b) are connected in parallel to one another.

6. Household appliance operating device (10b) according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the processing subunits (24b, 26b) are electrically decoupled at least from each other and from the communication unit (14b) outside of an operating state of the operator interface.

7. Household appliance operating device (10a) according to claim 3, characterized in that the processing unit (18a) has a microcontroller (28a) which analyzes the switching position in at least one operating state and, based thereon, provides variable information to the communication unit (14a).

8. Household appliance operating device (10a; 10b) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the user interface (12a) has at least one e-paper display (34a).

9. Household appliance system (50a) with a household appliance operating device (10a; 10b) according to one of the preceding claims and with the household appliance device (40a).

10. Household appliance system (50a) according to claim 8, characterized by a placement plate (52a) for supporting and / or fastening the household appliance operating device (10a; 10b).

11. Household appliance system (50a) according to claim 9, characterized in that the placement plate (52a) is a kitchen worktop (54a).

12. Household appliance system (50a) according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the household appliance device (40a) has a heating unit (42a) for inductively heating a cooking utensil (44a).

13. A method for operating a household appliance operating device (10a; 10b) according to one of claims 1 to 8.

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