Household appliance

Abstract

A household appliance (100) comprising a wireless connectivity interface (205) for communicating wirelessly with external devices, the wireless connectivity interface comprising a Wi-Fi communication device. The appliance comprises a controller (240) configured to cause a predetermined operating mode of the household appliance, in response to receipt of a signal, from the wireless connectivity interface, indicating: a presence or an absence of a user; and / or a presence or an absence of a non-authorised entity. The wireless connectivity interface is configured to monitor channel state information of the Wi-Fi communication device, and to generate the signal based on the channel state information of the Wi-Fi communication device.

Description

[0001] HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure concerns household appliances. More particularly, but not exclusively, the present disclosure concerns a household appliance comprising a wireless connectivity interface for communicating wirelessly with external devices.

[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 cookers, washing machines, microwaves, dishwashers, refrigerators, vacuum cleaners and fans.

[0006] Such household appliances require a degree of knowledge of how to use the appliance in order for a user to use the appliance efficiently and safely. For example, if a user (for example a child) is not aware that a hob on a cooker will be hot when turned on, there is a potential risk of burning.

[0007] Similarly, household appliances could create a hazard if objects in their environment were to fall on to, or otherwise come into contact with the appliance. For example, if a broom was to fall onto a hob of a cooker, this could create a fire hazard.

[0008] Known systems combine a household appliance with a proximity sensor, enabling the appliance to monitor the proximate environment, and to detect changes, in the proximate environment.

[0009] The present disclosure seeks to mitigate at least the above problems. Alternatively or additionally, the present disclosure seeks to provide improved household appliances and / or improved methods of operating household appliances.

[0010] Summary

[0011] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a household appliance comprising: a wireless connectivity interface for communicating wirelessly with external devices, the wireless connectivity interface comprising a WiFi communication device; and a controller configured to cause a predetermined operating mode of the household appliance, in response to receipt of a signal, from the wireless connectivity interface, indicating: a presence or an absence of a user; and / or a presence or an absence of a non-authorised entity, wherein the wireless connectivity interface is configured to monitor channel state information of the Wi-Fi communication device, and to generate the signal based on the channel state information of the Wi-Fi communication device.

[0012] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of operating a household appliance, the household appliance comprising a wireless connectivity interface for communicating wirelessly with external devices, the wireless connectivity interface comprising a Wi-Fi communication device, the method comprising: at the wireless connectivity interface: monitoring channel state information of the Wi-Fi communication device; and generating a signal based on the channel state information of the Wi-Fi communication device, the signal indicating: a presence or an absence of a user; and / or a presence or an absence of a non-authorised entity; and at a controller of the household appliance: receiving the signal from the wireless connectivity interface; and in response to receiving the signal, causing a predetermined operating mode of the household appliance.

[0013] According to a third 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 wireless connectivity interface for communicating wirelessly with external devices, the wireless connectivity interface comprising a Wi-Fi communication device, the method comprising: receiving a signal from the wireless connectivity interface, the signal indicating: a presence or an absence of a user; and / or a presence or an absence of a non-authorised entity; and in response to receiving the signal, causing a predetermined operating mode of the household appliance, wherein the wireless connectivity interface is configured to monitor channel state information of the Wi-Fi communication device, and to generate the signal based on the channel state information of the Wi-Fi communication device .

[0014] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of operating a household appliance, the household appliance comprising a wireless connectivity interface for communicating wirelessly with external devices, the wireless connectivity interface comprising a Wi-Fi communication device, the method comprising: monitoring channel state information of the Wi-Fi communication device; in response to a predetermined trigger, using the monitored channel state information to determine reference channel state information that corresponds to either presence or absence of a user; using the reference channel state information to train a presence detection algorithm to detect, based on channel state information of the Wi-Fi communication device, presence or absence of the user; and operating the household appliance using the trained presence detection algorithm, wherein the predetermined trigger is associated with normal usage of the household appliance by the user, such that a dedicated training phase for the presence detection algorithm is avoided.

[0015] According to a fifth 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 wireless connectivity interface for communicating wirelessly with external devices, the wireless connectivity interface comprising a Wi-Fi communication device, the method comprising: monitoring channel state information of the Wi-Fi communication device; in response to a predetermined trigger, using the monitored channel state information to determine reference channel state information that corresponds to either presence or absence of a user; using the reference channel state information to train a presence detection algorithm to detect, based on channel state information of the Wi-Fi communication device, presence or absence of the user; and operating the household appliance using the trained presence detection algorithm, wherein the predetermined trigger is associated with normal usage of the household appliance by the user, such that a dedicated training phase for the presence detection algorithm is avoided.

[0016] According to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a household appliance comprising a wireless connectivity interface for communicating wirelessly with external devices, the wireless connectivity interface comprising a WiFi communication device, the household appliance being configured to: monitor channel state information of the Wi-Fi communication device; in response to a predetermined trigger, use the monitored channel state information to determine reference channel state information that corresponds to either presence or absence of a user; use the reference channel state information to train a presence detection algorithm to detect, based on channel state information of the Wi-Fi communication device, presence or absence of the user; and operate the household appliance using the trained presence detection algorithm, wherein the predetermined trigger is associated with normal usage of the household appliance by the user, such that a dedicated training phase for the presence detection algorithm is avoided. It will be appreciated that features described in one aspect of the present disclosure may be incorporated into other aspects of the present disclosure. For example, a method of the present disclosure may incorporate any of the features described with reference to the apparatus or the system of the present disclosure and vice versa.

[0017] Description of the Drawings

[0018] Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings of which:

[0019] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a household appliance according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0020] Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of the system according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0021] Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram of a household appliance according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0022] Figure 4 is a flow diagram showing a method of operating a household appliance according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0023] Figure 5 is a flow diagram showing a method of operating a household appliance according to embodiments of the present disclosure; and

[0024] Figure 6 is a flow diagram showing a method of operating a household appliance according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0025] Detailed

[0026] Whilst the present disclosure has been described and illustrated with reference to particular embodiments, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the present disclosure lends itself to many different variations not specifically illustrated herein. By way of example only, certain possible variations will now be described.

[0027] Figure 1 shows a perspective of a household appliance 100 according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Household appliance 100, and / or components thereof, may be used to implement embodiments described herein. Household (or ‘domestic’) appliance 100 may be configured to perform one or more household tasks or functions, such as cooking, cleaning, or storing food. As such, household appliance 100 may comprise a cooking appliance, a washing appliance, a food storage appliance, etc. In the example embodiments shown in Figure 1, household appliance 100 comprises an oven with a hob 120a. Other examples of household appliances (which may be used to implement embodiments of the present disclosure) comprise, but are not limited to, one or more of a washing machine, a microwave, a dishwasher, vacuum cleaner, refrigerator and a fan. In embodiments, household appliance 100 is controlled as described below.

[0028] Household appliance 100, comprises hob 120a, a cooking element 120b within an oven cavity (not shown), and a door 120c, giving access to the oven cavity. Household appliance 100 comprises a proximity sensor 130; hence, the proximity of the user from household appliance 100 can be determined. In embodiments, household appliance 100 comprises a user interface 150. It will be appreciated that proximity sensor 130, user interface 105, hob 120a, cooking element 120b and / or door 120c, may not be present in all embodiments and may be located in alternative positions on the appliance, depending on the nature and the design of household appliance 100.

[0029] In embodiments, proximity sensor 130 comprises one or more of a retro- reflective sensor, a time-of-flight sensor, a radar sensor, and an infrared (IR) sensor. As a specific example, it could be IR sensor that uses pointcloud technology to determine shapes and depth. By also obtaining shape and depth information, children can be distinguished from adults. As another specific example, it could be a 25GHz millimeterwave radar sensor, such as the SKU:SEN0395 by DFRobot(R), which can sense human presence, including stationary and moving people. In alternative embodiments, proximity sensor 130 comprises a different type of sensor. Hence, a variety of different sensors can be used to monitor the environment proximate to household appliance 100. In embodiments, location of proximity sensor 130 on or within household appliance 100 is associated with one or more functions of household appliance 100. For example, if household appliance 100 comprises door 120c, proximity sensor 130 may be located on or close to this feature. Hence, a more accurate measure of the user’s proximity to the function(s) of the appliance being controlled by the control function is obtained. This gives a greater degree of accuracy when determining whether the predetermined operating mode should be activated. Proximity sensor 130 detects changes in an environment proximate to the appliance. Positioning the sensor in relation to the feature to be controlled when the control function is activated, helps provide more accurate measurements of the environment proximate to the feature. Proximity sensor 130 may detects changes in an environment proximate to the appliance by detecting the presence of an entity in the environment proximate to the appliance. The environment proximate to household appliance 100 is the environment monitored by proximity sensor 130. In embodiments, the environment proximate to the appliance comprises one or more predetermined dimensions. Hence, the environment proximate to the appliance, monitored by the proximity sensor, is defined as being within these certain predetermined dimensions. In embodiments, the predetermined dimensions are user-configurable. In embodiments, the predetermined dimensions are user configurable via user interface 150 on household appliance 100, or via a separate device connected to appliance 100. Hence, the user is able to decide on the dimensions within which detection will take place. For example, the user may configure these dimensions depending on the surroundings of the appliance.

[0030] In some embodiments, the sensed change comprises an entity entering the environment proximate to the appliance. Hence, detection of entities that move into proximity of the appliance is enabled. In other embodiments, the sensed change comprises an entity moving within the environment proximate to the appliance. Hence, detection of entities moving within the environment proximate to the appliance is enabled. In embodiments, the entity comprises a living organism, such as, but not limited to an adult human, a human child, or an animal such as a pet. In embodiments, the entity comprises an inanimate object, such as, but not limited to household cleaning apparatus, for example a broom, items of food, or other household items that may inadvertently come within proximity of household appliance 100. In some embodiments, there may be more than one predefined environments proximate to the appliance such that it can be determined from a number of readings, over time, from the proximity sensor or more than one proximity sensor, whether a user is moving towards or moving away from the appliance. The predefined environments may have different dimensions. The predefined environments may be of progressively larger size such that, for example, each environment corresponds to a different distance away from the appliance.

[0031] In embodiments, user interface 150 is operable to provide an output to the user. For example, user interface 150 may comprise one or more of a visual output device such as a light emitting diode, LED, display, an audio output device such as a speaker, and a haptic output device. In embodiments, user interface 150 is operable to receive user input. As such, a user input may be provided by a user directly on household appliance 100. For example, in embodiments, user interface 150 comprises a touchscreen user interface or one or more soft-key buttons, electro-mechanical buttons and / or switches, rotary encoders, etc. In alternative embodiments, household appliance 100 does not comprise user interface 150.

[0032] Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of a system 200 according to embodiments. System 200 comprises household appliance 100 described above with reference to Figure 1. System 200 further comprises a server 210, a user device 220, a wireless connectivity interface 205, and a controller 240. Also shown in Figure 2 is an entity 230 in the environment proximate to the appliance 230. Wireless connectivity interface 205 is configured to wirelessly connect with user device 220. Controller 240 is configured to receive a first signal from wireless connectivity interface 205, receive a second signal from proximity sensor 130 indicative of a sensed change in the environment proximate to the appliance; and in response to the first signal indicating no presence of an authenticated user device and the second signal indicating a change in the environment proximate to the appliance, cause activation of a predetermined operating mode of the appliance.

[0033] Wireless connectivity interface 205 may monitor the wireless signal strength associated with authenticated user devices. For example, it may monitor the received signal strength indicator (RSSI) associated with one or more user devices. The wireless connectivity interface may continuously pull for the RSSI. The wireless connectivity interface may then output a first signal to the controller 240 based on the signal strength associated with authenticated user devices, such as the RSSI of the user devices. The signal may take a different value depending on whether the signal strength is above or below one or more predetermined threshold value. For example, the signal may indicate whether the RSSI is absent, whether it is below a certain threshold or whether it is equal to or above the threshold such that the user devices can be deemed present. More than one thresholds corresponding to different distances from the household appliance may be used to detect whether someone is moving towards the device or moving away from the device. More than one thresholds may also / altematively be used to make it harder to enter a safe zone than to leave it or vice versa. For example, the first signal may be set to indicate the presence of an authenticated user device when the signal strength is above a first threshold and once the first signal has been set to indicate the presence of an authenticated user device it will not revert to indicate the absence of an authenticated used device until the signal strength is below a second threshold, where the second threshold corresponds to a weaker signal strength than the first threshold. The signal received by controller 240 may comprise a continuous (e.g. a ‘0’) signal, indicating that there is no authenticated device present, or that an authenticated device is out of range, e.g. the signal strength is below a threshold. When an authenticated device is present, e.g. the signal strength associated with the authenticated device is equal to or above a threshold, the signal received by the controller 240 may become 1. Other values may of course be used, as would be understood by the skilled person, to indicate presence, moving towards, moving away or absence of an authenticated user device. This enables controller 240 to distinguish between an authenticated user device being present and no presence of an authenticated user device. Hence, unauthorized users or objects can be prevented from operating or interacting with the appliance in undesired ways, for example preventing undesired operation of the appliance and / or avoiding potentially hazardous situations. The controller may receive a separate signal indicating presence or no presence for each authenticated user device or it may receive a single indicating the presence or no presence of any authenticated user device. It will be appreciated that the signals received by the controller 240 may also take a different form to that described above. For example, the first signal received by the controller 240 may be a measured signal strength received by the wireless connectivity interface. The controller 240 may then determine from the signal received from the wireless connectivity interface the presence or absence of an authenticated user device. The controller may set a flag in memory, such as its internal memory, and / or generate a new signal, based on the first signal received from the wireless connectivity interface, which is then, in turn, used to determine whether to activate the predetermined operating mode of the appliance.

[0034] The proximity sensor 130 provides readings that vary in dependence on the distance to objects in the proximity of the appliance. As such it senses changes in the environment around the appliance. The proximity sensor may then output a second signal to the controller 240 based on the readings and therefore indicative of changes in the environment proximate to the appliance. It may do this by only sending a signal, i.e. for a short period of time, when it detects an entity moving into, out of or within the environment proximate to the household appliance or it may do this by sending a continuous signal throughout the period while the entity remains within the environment proximate to the household appliance, indicative of the distance to the entity or simply the presence of it, even if it is not moving. The second signal may simply be the readings of the proximity sensor or it may be a signal derived from the readings of the proximity sensor. Depending on the type of proximity sensor, the sensor may give a value range (e.g. 0 to 255) depending on the distance of an entity or simply a binary value (0 or 1). If the proximity sensor has a large value range, the readings may be compared to one or more thresholds and the output signal may take a smaller value range depending on whether the readings are higher or lower than the one or more thresholds. For example, similarly to the first signal, a ‘0’ value of the second signal may indicate no entities within an environment proximate of the appliance and therefore no change and the signal may become ‘ 1 ’ when one or more readings beyond a certain threshold have been detected, indicating an entity within the environment and therefore a chance. This enables controller 240 to determine if it is likely that there is an entity present in the environment proximate to the appliance. Other values may of course be used, as would be understood by the skilled person, to indicate presence, moving towards, moving away or absence of an entity. For example, similarly to the processing of signal strength measured by the wireless connectivity interface, the readings may be compared to different thresholds to determine whether an entity is moving towards the appliance or away from the appliance. More than one thresholds may also / altematively be used to change the distance needed to enter versus leave the safe zone. For example, in some implementations, the thresholds can be set such as entering the safe zone is more difficult than leaving, to make the functionality more stable. The second signal, or the threshold analysis, may be based on an average of multiple readings from the proximity sensor. This will help to prevent frequent activation / deactivations of the predetermined mode of operation, when the user is on the edge of the safe zone. The controller may receive signals from more than one proximity sensor located inside or external to the appliance. It will be appreciated that the signal received by the controller 240 may also take a different form. For example, the second signal received by the controller may be the unprocessed readings of the proximity sensor. The controller may process the signal received from the proximity sensor. In some implementations, the controller may set a flag in memory, such as its internal memory, and / or generate a new signal, based on the second signal received from the proximity sensor, which is then, in turn, used to determine whether to activate the predetermined operating mode of the appliance.

[0035] The environment proximate to the appliance which is monitored by the proximity sensor may be the same or different to an environment with respect to which the presence of a user device is determined. In other words, any signal strength thresholds used in the analysis of the signal strength measured by the wireless connectivity interface may correspond to different distance(s) than any thresholds used in the analysis of the readings of the proximity sensor. A user device may, for example, be considered to be present even if the signal strength of the user device indicates that the user device is outside the environment proximate to the appliance monitored by the proximity sensor. For example, this may be the case if the user device is still considered near enough for the user to be aware of any activities of entities within the environment proximate to the appliance.

[0036] In some embodiments, server 210 is configured to cause activation of the predetermined operating mode of household appliance 100. Such embodiments support appliances with lower processing capabilities, and any updates that are required can take place within the server rather than being applied to the appliance. The server may receive the first and second signal described above and make a determination to activate the predetermined operating mode of an appliance. The server may send a message to the household appliance with instructions to activate the predetermined operating mode of the appliance. As such the server may comprise a controller with at least some of the functionality described with respect to the controller 240 herein, for receiving the first and second signal and for causing activation of a predetermined operating mode of the appliance. Some of the processing of at least one out of the measurements of the wireless connectivity interface and the proximity sensor, described above, may be carried out in the controller of the server. The controller of the appliance may be configured to control the appliance based on the instructions to activate the predetermined operating mode from the server. The first and second signal may be received in the server from the household appliance or from another device.

[0037] In some embodiments, the first and / or second signals received by controller 240 may be sent via server 210. For example, this may be the case where the proximity sensor, or one or more proximity sensors are located in another appliance or in another device located external of the household appliance and / or information about the absence or presence of authenticated user devices in an environment proximate the household appliance is received from another appliance or in another device located external of the household appliance.

[0038] Server 210 is connected to household appliance 100 via at least one wireless and / or wired communication network (not shown). The at least one network may for example comprise a Wi-Fi network, the Internet, etc. In embodiments, user device 220 comprises one or more of a mobile telephone, a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, a smart watch or any other suitable device. Hence, a variety of different user devices can be detected by the wireless connectivity interface 205.

[0039] In embodiments, wireless connectivity interface 205 may comprise one or more of an Ultra- wideband (UWB) interface, a Bluetooth™ interface, a Wi-Fi interface, RFID interface or any other suitable wireless interface. A Bluetooth interface may be a Bluetooth Classic of a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) interface. Hence, a variety of different interfaces can be employed for user device detection, identification and, if applicable, authentication. As will be understood by the skilled person, different types of user devices may use different types of wireless connectivity interfaces. For example, the household appliance may detect a mobile phone or smartwatch based on a BLE signal whereas it will detect a RFID tag using RFID technology.

[0040] An entity 230 proximate to the household appliance 100 produces a sensed change in the environment proximate to household appliance 100. The entity 230 producing a sensed change is detected using proximity sensor 130.

[0041] When entity 230 enters the environment proximate to the household appliance 100, controller 240 receives a second signal indicative of entity 230 entering the environment. If the first signal from the wireless connectivity interface indicates that there is an authenticated user device present, whilst the second signal indicates that entity 230 has entered the environment proximate to the appliance, controller 240 does not cause activation of the predetermined operating mode. If the first signal indicates no authenticated user device present and the second signal indicates no change in the environment proximate to household appliance 100 then controller 240 does not cause activation of the predetermined operating mode. If the first signal indicates that there is no authenticated user device present and the second signal indicates a change in the proximate environment, then the predetermined operating mode is activated.

[0042] An authenticated user device may be any user device associated with the appliance. For example, it may be a user device linked to a user account to which the household appliance is registered. Alternatively or additionally, it may be a user device which has previously been connected to and / or used to remotely control the appliance. In some embodiments, an authenticated user device may be a linked user device designated as an authenticated user device, for example by the user and / or the server. One or more authenticated user devices may form a subset of a set of linked user devices. In other words, in some embodiments, an authenticated user device may be both associated with the household appliance and indicated to be an authenticated user device. For example, a user can select which of the user devices associated with the household appliance, e.g. for example linked to their user account, are authenticated user device. This means that the user can disable certain devices as deemed unsafe. For example, a tablet often used to remotely monitor a cooker and control the cooker according to a selected recipe but which is often left behind in the kitchen, may be a device associated with the household appliance but not authenticated. A user device may be authenticated by a user simple selecting them from a list on the UI of the user device or the appliance or it may be authenticated by a more sophisticated process requiring for example the entering of a password, pairing code and / or the communication of a security token or other suitable authentication action of a user, the server and / or the appliance. The server may keep a record of authenticated user devices associated with the household appliance, for example as one or more stored lists. The list may be generated based on information received from the user devices and / or the appliance. The list may be communicated to the household appliance and cached by the appliance, and then updated from the server when needed, for the appliance to easily access a list of authenticated user devices. Information about nearby devices, such as identification information and signal strength information, may be filtered based on the list for the appliances to determine either a presence or no presence of an authenticated user devices. The information may be filtered to generate the first signal or the first signal may be filtered based on the list. The filtering can be done in the appliance or, if the list is not stored in the appliance but instead stored in the server, it can be done in the server. In other embodiments, the household appliance may store a list of all associated user device and an indication about whether each user device is an authenticated or a non-authenticated user device. The indication may be a flag in memory. Identification information and signal strength information may be filtered based on the list.

[0043] Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram of household appliance 100, according to embodiments. Household appliance 100 comprises wireless connectivity interface 205, proximity sensor 130, controller 240, memory 300 and various elements which can be controlled by controller 240, such as hob 120a, cooking element 120b, door 120c, and user interface 150. Wireless connectivity interface 205 monitors signals from user device 220 via UWB, Bluetooth™, Wi-Fi or any other suitable wireless connectivity interface. Wireless connectivity interface 205 determines if user device 220 is an authenticated user device. For example, wireless connectivity interface 205 may determine if user device 220 is a user device stored on a list of registered devices, linked to the appliance, in the server and indicated as an authenticated user device for the purpose of the predetermined operating mode. Specifically, an authenticated user device may be a user device selected as a user device the presence of which will cause the household appliance not to activate the predetermined operating mode. The wireless connectivity interface 205 may store a local copy of the list in memory 300, for efficient processing, or it may query the server for each detected user devices. Although it has been described above that the wireless connectivity interface 205 determines if a user device 220 is an authenticated user device, in some implementations the controller 240 may determine, on its own or in collaboration with the wireless connectivity interface, if a user device 220 is an authenticated user device. It may do this by carrying out a look-up in local memory 300 or by querying the server as explained above. In embodiments, authenticated devices will have been previously connected to appliance 100 via wireless connectivity interface 205. In some embodiments, the appliance will not receive a list or information about authentication from the server but the appliance generates and stores, in memory 300, a list of devices previously connected to the appliance. A user may select which user devices are authenticated user devices on a UI of the appliance or the user device and communicate the selection to the appliance for storing. In at least some of the embodiments described above, the identity (ID) / media access control (MAC) address of authenticated user devices may be stored locally on the appliance or may be stored in a server in a list identifying authenticated user devices. Storing the ID / MAC addresses of devices allows authenticated and non- authenticated devices to be distinguished. If the identity of a user device, detected by the wireless connectivity interface, is stored, it may be considered an authenticated user device and if the identity is not stored it may be considered a non-authenticated user device. In other implementations, the appliance may store the ID / MAC address of registered and / or previously connected and / or paired user devices with indications about whether they are authenticated or non-authenticated. For example, some registered / connected user devices may be authenticated and others may not be. As an example, a tablet often used by young children in the home but also sometimes used in the kitchen to look up recipes may have previously been linked to the appliance but the user may not have indicated the tablet as an authenticated user device for the purpose of activating or deactivating the predetermined operating mode of the appliance since it is frequency left in the kitchen when the main user leaves or may be carried around by a child. Upon initial connection, to the appliance or the server as the case may be, there may be a password or other authenticating method, as indicated above, to allow a user or server to give permission for a user device to be an authenticated user device, to ensure that only user devices who are authorised to do so can impact the determination of whether the predetermined operating mode of the appliance is activated.

[0044] Controller 240 is operable to perform various data processing and / or control functions according to embodiments, as will be described in detail below. Controller 240 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 colocated or located remotely from each other in household appliance 100. Controller 240 may be embodied as one or more software functions and / or hardware modules. In embodiments, controller 240 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. Controller 240 may be configured to implement the methods described herein. In embodiments, controller 240 is operable to output control signals for controlling one or more components of household appliance 100. In embodiments, controller 240 is operable to receive signals from wireless connectivity interface 205 and proximity sensor 130. The controller has access to memory 300. The memory 300 may comprise both internal controller memory and memory external to the controller, including memory of the other components of the household appliance. The memory 300 may comprise volatile and non-volatile memory for storing data and computer program instructions.

[0045] Controller 240 is configured to receive a first signal from wireless connectivity interface 220 indicative of either the presence or no presence of an authenticated user device 230 and receive a second signal from proximity sensor 130 indicative of a sensed change in the environment proximate to the appliance. In embodiments, controller 240 is configured to receive the second signal from a proximity sensor remote from household appliance 100. Hence, embodiments support appliances that do not have built-in proximity sensors. In response to the first signal indicating no presence of an authenticated user device 220 and the second signal indicating a change in the environment proximate to the appliance 100, controller 240 causes activation of a predetermined operating mode of appliance 100. When the predetermined operating mode is activated, one or more functions of household appliance 100 are disabled. Hence, unauthorized users can be prevented from operating certain functions of the appliance and / or objects can be prevented from interacting with certain functions of the appliance.

[0046] Depending on the nature of household appliance 100, the function(s) to be disabled may vary. A disabled function may relate to any features of household appliance 100 that could cause harm to any users who may not be aware of how to use the appliance safely. As a result, household appliance 100 of embodiments has increased safety compared to known appliances.

[0047] In embodiments where household appliance 100 comprises user interface 150, the one or more functions comprise operation of the user interface, for example disabling any buttons or touchscreens or dimming the brightness. This helps prevent any unintentional interactions with user interface 150 from impacting the operation of household appliance 100. Unauthorized users are less likely to be drawn to the appliance if the user interface is turned off which helps avoid unwanted / unintentional interaction with the appliance. Pets and young children can be drawn to bright lights, so dimming the screen helps prevent this.

[0048] In embodiments, household appliance 100 comprises a cooking element, and the one or more functions comprise operation of the cooking element. Cooking element 120b may be a heating element within an oven or an element of hob 120a. Disabling the function(s) may comprise turning off or reducing the heat produced by cooking element 120b. Hence a potential hazard can be avoided by turning off the cooking element, this will provide increased safety in the event that entity 230, which may be an unauthorised user or household object, comes into contact with household appliance 100.

[0049] In embodiments, household appliance 100 comprises door 120c and the one or more functions comprise operation of door 120c. Door 120c may for example be the door to an oven cavity, a refrigerator, a washing machine, or a dishwasher. Disabling the function(s) may comprise locking of door 120c to prevent unauthorised users from accessing the appliance inside of the door, or alternatively unlocking or releasing door 120c. This will avoid any potential hazards that may be caused by this function. In embodiments, household appliance 100 comprises a motor and the one or more functions comprise operation of the motor. For example, the appliance may be a vacuum cleaner or a fan comprising a motor. Disabling the function may comprise switching off or reducing the speed of the motor. Hence a potential hazard can be avoided by turning off or reducing the rate of airflow, which may provide increased safety in the event that entity 230, which may be an unauthorised user or household object, comes into contact with household appliance 100.

[0050] In embodiments, disabling the function(s) may comprise operation of an alternative feature of household appliance 100 that by limiting or altering its operation will result in increased safety, particularly for users who are not aware of the correct operation of the appliance, or in the event that household objects unintentionally come into contact with household appliance 100.

[0051] Controller 240 is configured to, in response to the first signal indicating the presence of an authenticated user device 220, cause deactivation of the predetermined operating mode of the appliance. Hence, when an authenticated user device is detected as being present, the user is able to utilise all functions of the appliance without having to manually deactivate the operating mode. For example, when the user device connects to the wireless connectivity interface and / or the signal strength from the user devices is above a threshold signal strength, the predetermined operating mode will automatically become deactivated. In embodiments, when the predetermined operating mode is deactivated, one or more functions of the appliance are enabled. This may be, but is not limited to, the reverse of the disabled function(s) described above. In embodiments where household appliance 100 comprises user interface 150 that was dimmed or locked upon the activation of the predetermined operating mode, when the predetermined operating mode is deactivated, user interface 150 will be unlocked or returned back to a standard or default brightness. Hence, an authorised user has full control of the appliance.

[0052] In embodiments where household appliance 100 comprises cooking element 120b, where cooking element 120b was turned off upon activation of the operating mode, cooking element 120b will be turned back on upon deactivation of the operating mode. Hence, the heat produced by cooking element 120b can return to the same as produced prior to activation of the predetermined operating mode. In embodiments, household appliance 100 comprises door 120c. Upon deactivation of the operating function, door 120c may be released or unlocked from its locked state that occurred as a result of activation of the predetermined operating mode.

[0053] In embodiments, controller 240 is configured to receive the first signal from wireless connectivity interface 205 indicative of no presence of authenticated user device 220 when the authenticated user device is out of wireless connectivity range of the wireless connectivity interface, or when a wireless signal strength associated with the authenticated user device reaches a predetermined threshold strength, as already indicated above. In embodiments this is determined by a microcontroller unit in a network interface unit. Hence, household appliance 100 is able to detect when user device 220 is at the limit or deemed to be past an acceptable limit of the wireless connectivity range.

[0054] In embodiments, the first signal corresponds to the wireless signal strength and the controller 240 is configured to monitor the wireless signal strength between the wireless connectivity interface and the user device; and in response to the monitoring indicating the wireless signal strength reaching, in the sense that it is equal to or goes below, a user-configurable threshold strength, determine no presence of an authenticated user device based on the user-configurable threshold strength. The wireless signal strength is related to the distance between the user device and the appliance and the range over which the user device can communicate with the appliance. In embodiments, the user is able to configure the signal strength threshold that the signal strength needs to fall below before being deemed as not in the presence of the appliance and therefore outside a “safe zone”.

[0055] In embodiments, the monitoring of the signal strength takes place continuously. This will give controller 240 an indication of when user device 220 is about to go beyond the safe zone defined by the signal strength threshold, meaning that the predetermined operating mode may be activated as an authenticated user device will no longer be deemed present. In response to the monitoring, in the controller or in the wireless connectivity interface, indicating the wireless signal strength is reaching a predetermined threshold, controller 240 causes activation of an alert mode of household appliance 100. If the monitoring is done in the wireless connectivity interface, the wireless connectivity interface may send a dedicated signal to the controller indicating that the user device 220 is about to go outside the safe zone. Alternatively, such an indication may form part of the first signal, for example a predetermined value of the first signal may indicate that the user device 220 is about to go outside the safe zone. Hence, the appliance knows to make the user aware that they are reaching the limit of wireless connectivity of the appliance. As indicated above, the “safe zone” for the authenticated user device may be different to the “safe zone” monitored by the proximity sensor.

[0056] In embodiments, the predetermined threshold is a user configurable threshold strength. This enables the user to configure the range in which the user device is deemed to be present, and therefore configure the distance at which an authenticated user device 220 can be from household appliance 100 before a predetermined operating mode may be entered. The user’s requirements for this may vary depending on their circumstances and on the function of household appliance 100. For example, if there are young or vulnerable people present and household appliance 100 is located within their reach, it may be more suitable to have a smaller range set, as an authorised user should preferably remain nearby to monitor the use of household appliance 100, ensuring safe operation. Therefore, a higher received signal strength threshold would be set, meaning a higher value of received signal strength would be required before the device would be deemed as present. However, if the same appliance was located out of reach of the child, then a larger range, and therefore lower received signal strength threshold could be set, as the child would not be able to reach the appliance regardless of where the authorised user was. This means that the authorised user will be able to move around the house more freely without household appliance 100 entering the predetermined operating mode if an entity was to enter the environment proximate to the appliance 100.

[0057] When the alert mode is activated, controller 240 is configured to cause activation of an alert function of household appliance 100. Hence the appliance signals that the alert mode has been activated. The alert function of household appliance 100 helps make the user aware that they are nearing the limit of the safe zone, and as a result household appliance 100 may enter the predetermined operating mode. This gives the user the opportunity to return the user device to the safe zone within which the device is deemed present, and the received signal strength is above the user configurable threshold. As a result, the predetermined operating mode is prevented from being activated on household appliance 100.

[0058] In embodiments, when the alert mode is activated, controller 240 is configured to cause transmission of an alert message to user device 220. Transmission of the alert message may take place via wireless connectivity interface 205, or via server 210. Hence, user device 220 receives notification that the alert mode has been activated. As the user is likely to have user device 220 with them, this increases the likelihood that the user will be made aware of the activation of the alert mode. If more than one user devices are associated with the appliance, the alert message may be transmitted to the primary user device associated with the appliance or the user device that was most recently within range of the appliance. Alternatively, it may be transmitted to all user devices associated with the appliance.

[0059] In embodiments, one or more of the first and second signal are received from server 210. Hence, less processing takes place at household appliance 100; such embodiments support appliances that have limited built in controllers / signal processing capabilities.

[0060] In embodiments, the alert function comprises household appliance 100 outputting one or more of a visual, audio or haptic notification, or a notification sent to user device 220. In embodiments, the notification is transmitted via server 210. When the notification is transmitted to user device 220, this could be via an app, text message or suchlike.

[0061] In embodiments, controller 240 is configured to receive a third signal from a proximity sensor (not shown in Figure 3) remote from household appliance 100, and cause activation of the predetermined operating mode of the appliance further in response to the received third signal. The third signal is indicative of a sensed change in an environment proximate to household appliance 100. This can allow household appliance 100 to monitor a further, alternative proximate environment, or this could allow appliance 100 to monitor the proximate environment more accurately.

[0062] Figure 4 shows a method of operating household appliance 100 according to embodiments. The method 400 is used to operate the household appliance 100 above with reference to Figures 1 to 3. In embodiments, method 400 is performed at least in part by controller 240; that is, controller 240 is configured to perform at least some of the steps of the method 400.

[0063] In step 410, a first signal is received from wireless connectivity interface 205. In step 420 a second signal is received from proximity sensor 130. In step 430, controller 240 determines whether the first signal indicates the presence of authenticated user device 220. If at step 430 it is determined that there is an authenticated user device 220 present, then the method returns to step 410. If at step 430 it is determined that there is no authenticated user device 220 present, then the method progresses to step 450. In step 450, controller 240 determines whether the second signal indicates a change in the environment proximate to household appliance 100. If it is determined in step 450 that there has been no change in the environment proximate to household appliance 100 and, therefore, no entity is likely to have entered the environment proximate to the appliance, then the method returns to step 410. The controller 240 will continue to monitor the signal from the proximity sensor 130, unless at step 430 the first signal indicates the presence of an authenticated user device, in which case the household appliance may ignore the signal from the proximity sensor until next time the first signal indicates no presence of an authenticated user. If it is determined in step 450 that there has been a change in the environment proximate to household appliance 100, then the method proceeds to step 470 where the predetermined operating mode is activated. It will be appreciated that the method described in Figure 4 is just one example and variations are possible. For example, the controller may continuously monitor the signal from the proximity sensor and only check the presence of authenticated user devices when the signal from the proximity sensor indicates change in the environment. The first and the second signal may be analysed in a different order or the controller may not receive one of the signals until the other signal indicates that the other signal should be considered.

[0064] Although throughout the description the term server has been used, it will be understood that the server could comprise at least parts of one or more distinct servers communicatively connected in a computing cloud. The functions of the server, described herein, could in some implementations be distributed across one or more of the servers of the computing cloud.

[0065] While it has been described above that a proximity sensor is used to detect a change in the environment proximate to the appliance, in alternative embodiments, a decision on whether to activate the predetermined operating mode or not can be carried out based on signals from the wireless connectivity interface only. In other words, in some embodiments, a signal from or based on readings from a proximity sensor is not needed. This may be helpful if the appliance does not comprise a proximity sensor and is not communicatively coupled with another appliance, in the same environment, which has a proximity sensor. In these alternative embodiments, the appliance will activate the predetermined operating mode based on the signals from the wireless connectivity interface only. For example, the household appliance could activate the predetermined operating mode when the wireless signal strength goes below a threshold or it could wait to activate the predetermined operating mode until the wireless signal strength is below a predetermined threshold and an interaction with the appliance is detected, indicating that a non-authorised entity is trying to operate the appliance while the user with the authenticated user device 220 is absent. As an alternative example, the household appliance could activate the predetermined operating mode when the wireless signal strength goes above a threshold. As indicated above the wireless connectivity interface could use BLE technology. Alternatively, it could use Wi-Fi technology. Accordingly, there is provided a household appliance comprising: a wireless connectivity interface; and a controller configured to: receive a signal from the wireless connectivity interface indicative of either a presence or no presence of an authenticated user device; and in response to the signal indicating no presence of an authenticated user device, cause activation of a predetermined operating mode of the appliance.

[0066] Although it has been described herein that the wireless connectivity interface detects user devices herein, some features of wireless connectivity standards allow the detection of users, and other entities, themselves, without the need to monitor signals from their user devices or detect the absence of signals from user devices. To achieve this, the wireless connectivity interface may monitor channel state information instead of, or in addition to, signal strength. Channel state information describes the channel properties of a communication link. For example, recently it has been discovered that by analysing channel state information (CSI) associated with communication links enabled by a Wi-Fi device, people and their movements around the Wi-Fi enabled device can be detected. The controller 240, wireless connectivity interface 205 or server 210 may analyse the channel state information from a Wi-Fi unit of the wireless connectivity interface 205 and extract unique features that are representative of an adult, child or pet. The position, the numbers and the size of the entities in the environment proximate the Wi-Fi unit can then be estimated based on the extracted features. Some techniques may even uniquely identify different adults or children based on, for example, their gait. Such proposed systems and techniques may be referred to as “WiFi ID”. An example of such a technique is for example described in "WiFi-ID: Human Identification Using WiFi Signal," by J. Zhang, B. Wei, W. Hu and S. S. Kanhere, 2016 International Conference on Distributed Computing in Sensor Systems (DCOSS), Washington, DC, USA, 2016, pp. 75-82, doi: 10.1109 / DCOSS.2016.30. Other types of - l -

[0067] Wi-Fi presence detection different to those mentioned above may be used. In some embodiments, these techniques can be used to decide whether to activate the abovedescribed predetermined operating mode. This information from a Wi-Fi module of the wireless connectivity interface could be used as the second signal, described above, to indicate a sensed change in an environment proximate to the appliance. In other words, the proximity sensor could be provided by a Wi-Fi communication module forming part of the wireless connectivity interface also comprising a different communication module providing the first signal. Alternatively, this information can be provided as part of a modified version of the first signal, described above, from the first wireless connectivity interface. The first signal from the wireless connectivity interface may, in some embodiments, instead of indicating either a presence or no presence of an authenticated user device, as described above, indicate the presence or no presence of an authorised user and the decision to activate the predetermined operating mode may be taken based on this signal, without also considering a second signal from a proximity sensor. For example, a signal indicating the presence of an authorised user may be a signal from a Wi-Fi module indicating an adult human being within a safe zone around the appliance. On the contrary, a signal indicating the presence of a non-authorised entity may be a signal indicating an entity of small size, such as a child, or a pet. The household appliance, or the server as the case may be, may then trigger the predetermined operating mode, preventing in this way a child or a pet to create potential risks for people and the surroundings. The household appliance may also trigger the predetermined operating mode in response to a signal indicating the absence of an authorised user, for example if the user has been away from an oven for a prolonged time indicating that the user may have left the household or forgotten about the cooking process. A signal indicating the absence of an authorised user may be a signal indicating the absence of an adult in the environment proximate to the household appliance or the absence of one out of one or more particular adults in the environment proximate to the household appliance. All of the disclosure herein, directed to for example user configurable safe zones, processing and storing of signals and instructions, communication of signals between the wireless connectivity interface and the controller and / or server, the examples of functions that are enabled or disabled in dependence on whether the predetermined operating mode is activated or not and the use of alarm signals, relevant to a system comprising a Wi-Fi device operable to provide this information would also apply to the embodiments exploiting channel state information of a Wi-Fi device. Computer programs comprising instructions for carrying out the techniques described herein when executed by one or more processors may be stored in memory in the household appliance. It may be downloaded or otherwise received from a server. The relevant disclosure above of how lists of authenticated user devices may be stored is applicable to how lists of authorised users and non- authorised entities could be stored. Identifying information of users and other entities and / or types of entities and features corresponding to those users, entities and / or types of entities can be stored in the household appliance or server, for example in one or more lists, together with indications of whether they are authorised or non-authorised users, entities and / or types of entities. Features in, or derived from, the channel state information from the Wi-Fi module can be compared to the stored features to determine at least one out of the presence of an authorised user, the absence of an authorised user and the presence of a non-authorised entity. The signal sent from the wireless connectivity interface to the controller of the appliance may comprise the channel state information, information derived from the channel state information and / or the identifying information of detected users, entities and / or types of entities. The predetermined operating mode can be used to prevent children from operating an appliance. In addition to improve safety, the absence of an authorised person could be used to disable certain functions such as displays and cavity lights, e.g. to turn on / off an appliance display or turn on / off appliance lights, to save energy and the detection of the presence of an authorised person may cause those functions to be enabled again.

[0068] The detection of authorised and non-authorised entities based on Wi-Fi channel state information may be improved by training the computer program carrying out the analysis. The training can be automated since the appliance can learn which is the channel state, corresponding to the presence of an authorised used, when a user is interacting with the user interface of the appliance, as part of normal usage of the appliance. If no interactions have been detected for a long time, the household appliance can store recent features of the channel state information as indicative of absence of a user. Alternatively, information to train the detection can be exchanged with other appliances exploiting corresponding techniques, directly or via the server. The household appliance can store or update stored channel state features corresponding to users, entities and / or types of entities in memory based on the learning obtained as part of normal usage of the appliance or from the server or another appliance. As such, an explicit training phase can be avoided. Accordingly, there is also provided a household appliance comprising: a wireless connectivity interface for communicating wirelessly with external devices; and a controller configured to, in response to a signal from the wireless connectivity interface indicating at least one out of an absence of an authorised user or a presence of a non-authorised entity, cause a predetermined operating mode of the appliance. The wireless connectivity interface may comprise a Wi-Fi device and the wireless connectivity interface may be configured to monitor the channel state information of the Wi-Fi device and to generate the signal based on the channel state information of the Wi-Fi device. An authorised user may be a type of user deemed able to operate the appliance in a safe way. On the contrary, a non-authorised entity may be a type of entity, including a type of user, deemed not to be able to operate the appliance in a safe way. Indicating the absence of an authorised user may comprise indicating the absence of an adult-sized user based on the channel state information. Alternatively or additionally, indicating the absence of an authorised user may comprise indicating the absence of a unique human based on the channel state information of the Wi-Fi device. The controller may further be configured to enable one or more functions based on the signal uniquely indicating the presence of a human being based on channel state information of the Wi-Fi device. The controller may further be configured to determine channel state information features when a user interacts with the appliance and store the determined channel state information features as an indication of the presence of an authorised user. The controller may further receive channel state information features, indicating presence or absence of authorised users and / or entities from a server or another appliance via the wireless connectivity interface. There is also provided a method and a computer program comprising instructions for monitoring such a signal from the wireless connectivity interface and causing the predetermined operating mode.

[0069] In some implementation, for example wherein the analysis of the channel state information does not distinguish between an adult- sized human and other beings or entities, the predetermined operating mode may be caused in response to a signal merely indicating the presence of a potential user of the appliance. Specifically, some predetermined operating modes described herein could be triggered merely upon the detection of any body, such as a user, person or entity in the vicinity of the household appliance. The disclosures herein, relevant to such implementations, also apply to such implementations. Examples of predetermined operating modes that can be triggered upon the detection of any body that could be a potential user will be further described below.

[0070] Figure 5 shows a method 500 of operating a household appliance, according to embodiments. The household appliance comprises a wireless connectivity interface for communicating wirelessly with external devices. Such external devices may include a wireless access point. Additionally or alternatively, external devices may include a user device and / or a server. The wireless connectivity interface comprises a Wi-Fi communication device. The method 500 may be used to operate the household appliance 100 described above with reference to Figures 1 to 3. Accordingly, the wireless connectivity interface may comprise the wireless connectivity interface 205 described above. In embodiments, the method 500 is performed by the household appliance 100. In particular, in embodiments, the method 500 is performed in part by the controller 240 and in part by the wireless connectivity interface 205. As such, the method 500 may be performed by a combination of the wireless connectivity interface 205 and the controller 240, in some cases. In alternative embodiments, the method 500 is performed solely by the controller 240 or solely by the wireless connectivity interface 205.

[0071] At item 510, channel state information (CSI) of the wi-fi communication device is monitored. The channel state information may be monitored by the wireless connectivity interface 205. Additionally or alternatively, the channel state information may be monitored by the controller 240. Monitoring channel state information may comprise deriving data from CSI frames, e.g. one or more features representative of the CSI data.

[0072] In embodiments, the channel state information is derived from a beacon signal received at the Wi-Fi communication device from a wireless access point located in an environment of the household appliance. In other embodiments, the channel state information is derived from packets in a signal received at the Wi-Fi communication device from the wireless access point, wherein the packet has been sent from the wireless access point specifically to the Wi-Fi communication device. The wireless access point may comprise a home router, for example. The wireless access point and the appliance may be located in the same room or in different rooms of the same building. In embodiments, the Wi-Fi communication device of the appliance is in communication with the wireless access point, but is not connected to the Internet and / or to any servers, unless or until a communications channel between the appliance and a server has been established, as described below.

[0073] At item 520, a signal is generated based on the channel state information of the Wi-Fi communication device. The signal may be generated by the wireless connectivity interface 205. In embodiments, the signal indicates a presence or an absence of a user, e.g. an authorised user or any detected body which could potentially be a user. Additionally or alternatively, the signal may indicate a presence or an absence of a nonauthorised entity. That is, the signal may indicate whether or not a user is present, and / or may indicate whether or not a non-authorised entity is present. In some cases, therefore, the signal indicates a presence or an absence of a user, but does not indicate any information regarding non-authorised entities. For example, the analysis of the channel state information may not distinguish between potential authorised users and nonauthorised entities but will only indicate the presence and / or absence of a potential user. In other cases, the signal indicates a presence or an absence of a non-authorised entity, but does not indicate any information regarding users. In still further cases, the signal indicates both a presence or absence of a user and also a presence or absence of a nonauthorised entity. In embodiments, the signal indicates a presence or an absence of an authorised user. It will be appreciated that the channel state information analysis provides estimates of whether a person, or other entity, is present or absent and so the signal indicating the presence or absence of a user or entity indicates an estimate of the presence or absence of a person or entity or a determination of presence or absence based on an estimate of the presence or absence of a person or entity. The predetermined operating mode may be triggered when the channel state information is sufficiently similar to reference channel state information, as will be described in more detail below, allowing an estimation that a person that is a user of the appliance is present or absent. Any determination that a user is an authorised user or even a specific authorised user is again an estimation based on reference channel state information.

[0074] The signal based on the channel state information may be generated with the help of a server, for example the server 210. For example, when the wireless connectivity interface 205 is already connected to a cloud, the wireless connectivity interface may send channel state information to the cloud to be analysed and may then receive the results of the analysis based on which the signal may then be generated. In some implementations, an initial channel state information analysis is performed in the appliance and then a second channel state information analysis is performed in the cloud. The second channel state information analysis may be a confirmatory analysis to confirm the initial channel state information analysis. It may alternatively obtain further information, for example beyond the presence or absence of a user. The second channel state information analysis may be a deeper and / or more advanced analysis. For example, the initial channel state information may determine the presence of a user and the second channel state information analysis may provide a more accurate result, confirming or denying the result of the initial channel state information analysis, or it may determine more characteristics or behaviours of the detected user, such as whether and how the user is moving. The signal causing the predetermined operating mode may be generated based on the initial channel state information analysis. In those cases, a second signal based on the second channel state information analysis may be generated and the controller may, in response to receipt of the second signal, cause the household appliance to keep operating in the predetermined operating mode or to disable the predetermined operating mode, based on the results of the second channel state information analysis or cause a second predetermined operating mode instead or in addition to the first predetermined operating mode. In other embodiments, the presence detection algorithm may be run in the appliance but the training of the algorithm may be carried out in the server. The training in the cloud may be done using data received from the appliance. The cloud may share updates to the training algorithm with the appliance.

[0075] At item 530, the signal generated at item 520 is received. For example, the controller 240 receives the signal from the wireless connectivity interface. At item 540, in response to receiving the signal, a predetermined operating mode of the household appliance 100 is caused, e.g. by the controller 240. For example, the controller 240 may cause the appliance 100 to be operated in the predetermined operating mode in response to receiving the signal.

[0076] Accordingly, the predetermined operating mode of the household appliance 100 is conditional on the presence or absence of a user and / or the presence or absence of a non-authorised entity, as determined based on channel state information of the Wi-Fi communication device of the appliance. The appliance makes use of low-level Wi-Fi channel estimation to assess whether a user and / or entity is present. ‘Presence’ of a user or entity may refer to the presence of the user or entity in an environment of the appliance, e.g. in the room or building in which the appliance is located. In some cases, ‘presence’ of a user or entity refers the presence of the user or entity in the vicinity of the appliance, e.g. within a predetermined distance of the appliance and / or within a predefined area relative to the appliance. Using channel state information of the Wi-Fi communication device avoids the need for an additional sensor (e.g. a proximity sensor, image sensor, acoustic sensor, etc.) to determine whether or not a user is present and / or whether or not a non-authorised entity is present. As such, the appliance is not required to possess a proximity sensor in some embodiments. The appliance may already be equipped with a Wi-Fi communication device, e.g. to communicate with a server for remote monitoring and / or control purposes. The presently disclosed embodiments may thus exploit (and add functionality to) the componentry of the appliance, and avoid the need for additional components. This therefore reduces manufacturing cost and / or complexity of the appliance.

[0077] Wi-Fi channel state information (CSI) frames may be used to compensate, as much as possible, radio channel non linearity to achieve the maximum transfer bandwidth for a given channel. An access point (e.g. a home router) and a device (e.g. the household appliance) exchange information on how they receive known data to create an inverse deviation to obtain a medium response that is almost linear. The nonlinearity of the radio medium depends on the physical environment between transmitter and receiver and any change in it is reflected in a change of the CSI data. Accordingly, analysing CSI data (e.g. the CSI frames themselves, or data derived therefrom) can provide information pertaining to the environment, including the presence or absence of users and / or entities.

[0078] In embodiments, causing the predetermined operating mode comprises enabling or disabling one or more predetermined functions of the household appliance 100. As such, functions may be enabled or disabled on the basis of the presence or absence of a user, and / or the presence or absence of a non-authorised entity, as determined based on channel state information of the Wi-Fi communication device.

[0079] In embodiments, enabling the one or more predetermined functions comprises establishing a communications channel between the household appliance and a server. The communications channel may be used for remote monitoring and / or control of operation of the appliance, e.g. via a user device. For example, the appliance may be configured to use the communications channel to send remote monitoring data and / or receive remote control commands. The server may comprise the server 210 described above, for example. The communications channel between the appliance and the server may be via one or more devices such as a Wi-Fi wireless access point. In some cases, the communications channel is via one or more bridges or routers to the access point. The communications channel may be established using one or more networks including a Wi-Fi network. The appliance and / or server may obtain and store in memory configuration data to allow remote monitoring and control via the communications channel. For example, the server and / or appliance may store configuration data allowing the appliance to connect to the server and specifying which user devices can control the appliance. In embodiments, establishing the communications channel comprises using previously obtained and / or stored configuration data to initiate communication with the server. That is, the appliance and / or server may already be configured for communication when the communications channel is established. Establishment of the communications channel then initiates transfer of data between the appliance and the server. Such data may include keep-alive messages, application metrics, sensor data, etc., and may be sent via the Wi-Fi communication device of the appliance. Accordingly, establishing the communications channel may comprise activating a previously-configured connection. In embodiments, disabling the one or more predetermined functions comprises interrupting a communications channel between the household appliance and the server. This may involve ceasing the communication of data from the appliance to the server and / or vice-versa, for example. In some embodiments, establishing the communications channel may be performed in response to a signal, based on the channel state information of the Wi-Fi communication device, indicating the presence of a user. In other embodiments, interrupting the communications channel may instead be performed in response to a signal, based on the channel state information of the Wi-Fi communication device, indicating the presence of a user.

[0080] This reduces energy consumption and / or cost compared to a case in which a connection between the appliance and the server is maintained regardless of the presence or absence of a user and / or a non-authorised entity. In such a comparative case, an appliance may be continuously connected to the server such that appliance sensor data, state data and / or keep-alive messages are repeatedly transmitted to the server. This contributes significantly to energy consumption and cost associated with such communication. In many cases, for example where no user is currently using the appliance, these messages are not relevant for immediate use by the user. For example, an oven or a washing machine may need to share most of such data only when the cycle is running or when there is a person in the vicinity of the appliance who potentially can make use of the appliance. Embodiments of the present disclosure allow for a connection to the server (e.g. a connection to ‘the cloud’) to be activated selectively in an intelligent manner. This reduces network cost and energy consumption, since fewer messages are transmitted between the appliance and the server. This also leads to an improvement in scalability, e.g. where a server can potentially communicate with a large number of appliances, since each appliance sends fewer messages.

[0081] In some embodiments, the transfer of data between the appliance and the server may additionally or alternatively include channel state information for a more detailed analysis of the channel state information in the cloud as mentioned above. A decision may then be taken in the server or the household appliance, following the further analysis, to keep or interrupt the server connection.

[0082] In embodiments, the one or more predetermined functions comprise transmitting remote monitoring data from the household appliance, to enable remote monitoring and / or control of operation of the household appliance via a user device. The remote monitoring data may be sent via the Wi-Fi communication device of the appliance. The remote monitoring data may be transmitted to a server, for example. The server may then send remote monitoring data (which may be the same as or different from the remote monitoring data sent from the household appliance) to the user device. Alternatively, the remote monitoring data may be transmitted directly from the appliance to the user device. Accordingly, the sending of remote monitoring data from the household appliance is conditional on the presence or absence of a user and / or the presence or absence of a non-authorised entity, as determined based on channel state information of the Wi-Fi communication device of the appliance. For example, the sending of remote monitoring data may be initiated if it is determined that a user is present in the environment of the appliance. This reduces an amount of data that is transmitted (and thus reduces energy and cost) compared to a case in which remote monitoring data is transmitted from the appliance regardless of the presence or absence of a user and / or a non-authorised entity. Additionally or alternatively, the sending of remote monitoring data may be initiated if it is determined that non-authorised entities and / or no users are present in the environment of the appliance. For example, when an unsupervised child is in the vicinity of the appliance, the remote monitoring data allows an authorised user to check, while away from the appliance, that the child is not operating the appliance and / or allows the user to control the appliance remotely to prevent operation by the child, thereby improving safety. It will be appreciated that the above examples of conditions which trigger the establishment of the communications channel and the initiation of sending of remote monitoring data are not exhaustive, in some implementations, and the establishment of the communication channel and sending of remote monitoring data may also be performed when other conditions are met or in response to other triggers, for example, on request from the server when remote monitoring and control is desired. However, the methods described herein provides for the server connection to be activated selectively based on a number of factors including presence or absence of a user and / or a non-authorised entity, as determined based on channel state information of the Wi-Fi communication device of the appliance.

[0083] In embodiments, establishing the communications channel between the household appliance and the server (and / or sending remote monitoring data from the appliance to the server) causes the server to send a push notification to a user device. Such a push notification may inform the user of the user device that remote monitoring and / or control of the appliance via the user device is available. For example, the appliance may initiate the sending of remote monitoring data to the server, and this may trigger the server, or an associated dedicated push notification server, to send a push notification to user devices of users subscribing to such push notifications (e.g. based on registration and / or configuration data stored at the servers). The notification may require a user to open a software application on the user device (or bring the application to a foreground layer of the user device) to perform remote monitoring and / or control of the appliance, for example.

[0084] In embodiments, the household appliance comprises a user interface and the one or more predetermined functions comprise operation of the user interface. The household appliance may be operated via the user interface. As such, operation of the user interface (and thus operation of the appliance via the user interface) may be conditional on the presence or absence of a user and / or the presence or absence of a non-authorised entity, as determined based on channel state information of the Wi-Fi communication device of the appliance. For example, operation of the user interface may be permitted if it is determined that a user is present and / or that no non-authorised entities are present, but may be prohibited if it is determined that no user is present and / or that a non-authorised entity is present. This results in increased safety of operation of the appliance. In another example, the user interface may be caused to provide a predetermined output in response to a determination that a user is present and / or that no non-authorised entities are present. For example, the user interface may provide one or more indications that the appliance is online and / or controllable remotely via a user device, and / or controllable by voice command, in response to a determination that a potential user is present. Additionally or alternatively, menus, features, controls and / or options (e.g. enabled by a remote monitoring connection) may be provided and / or enabled at the user interface based on the detection of user presence. As another example, the one or more predetermined functions may comprise operation of the user interface in the sense that the user interface is activated in response to a determination that a user is present. As a specific example, the user interface may be turned on and / or light up automatically in response to a determination that a user is present. The user interface may further, or alternatively, display commonly used operating programs on that appliance and / or display or otherwise communicate or implement favourite settings for that appliance, or if the appliance can recognise a specific user, may display commonly used operating programs and / or display or otherwise communicate or implement favourite settings of that particular user.

[0085] In embodiments, the household appliance comprises a cooking element, e.g. a heating element of a hob, and the one or more predetermined functions comprise operation of the cooking element. As such, operation of the cooking element may be conditional on the presence or absence of a user and / or the presence or absence of a non-authorised entity, as determined based on channel state information of the Wi-Fi communication device of the appliance. For example, operation of the cooking element may be permitted if it is determined that a user is present and / or that no non-authorised entities are present, but may be prohibited if it is determined that no user is present and / or that a non-authorised entity is present. This results in increased safety of operation of the appliance. In another example, operation of the cooking element may be controlled so as to reduce heat output into the environment of the appliance, if it is determined that no authorised user is present and / or that non-authorised entities are present, e.g. if the duration of such presence or absence exceeds a predetermined time threshold. As a specific example, a heating element of a hob may be turned down, or off, based on the absence of a user and / or the presence of a non-authorised entity, as determined based on channel state information of the Wi-Fi communication device of the appliance.

[0086] In embodiments, the predetermined functions comprise other functions, including both functions already mentioned earlier in this disclosure and functions not mentioned in this disclosure. For example, a signal indicating the absence of any users could be used to disable some energy consuming components such as displays and cavity lights, e.g. to turn on / off an appliance display or turn on / off appliance lights, to save energy and the detection of the presence of a potential user may cause those functions to be enabled again. The potential user could be any user or an authorised user such as an adult-sized person. As another example, a signal indicating the absence of any users in the environment of an attended appliance, indicating that users have left the appliance unattended, could trigger a notification to a user device associated with the attended appliance.

[0087] In embodiments, the household appliance receives, from a further household appliance, data indicating further channel state information of a Wi-Fi communication device of the further household appliance. In some such embodiments, the controller 240 of the household appliance causes the predetermined operating mode based on the further channel state information indicated by the received data. As such, multiple appliances may each obtain respective channel state information and communicate the respective channel state information (or data derived therefrom) to one another, thus expanding the pool of data used to determine the presence or absence of users and / or non-authorised entities, and thereby increasing the accuracy and / or reliability of presence determination. In some cases, the data indicating the further channel state information received from the further household appliance indicates a result of a determination, made by the further household appliance, of a presence or absence of a user and / or of a non-authorised entity, where such a determination is based on the further channel state information.

[0088] In embodiments, the signal indicates movement of the user and / or of the nonauthorised entity within an environment proximate to the appliance. That is, the channel state information of the Wi-Fi communication device (or a degree of variation thereof, tracked over time) may be used to infer not only the presence or absence of users and / or entities, but also movement of users and / or entities in the environment. This allows for more fine-grained control of the household appliance. For example, if it is determined that a non-authorised entity (e.g. a child) is moving towards the appliance, one or more functions of the appliance may be disabled pre-emptively, whereas if the non-authorised entity is moving away from the appliance, the one or more functions may be enabled. Further, the detection of movement of objects using channel state information of the Wi-Fi communication device facilitates the differentiation between users (e.g. adult humans) and inanimate objects which may be of a similar physical size to a user.

[0089] In embodiments, a signal indicating the presence of a user comprises a signal indicating an adult-sized human being (for example a moving object of a relatively large size, e.g. in terms of height, mass, etc.) within an environment proximate to the household appliance. In embodiments, a signal indicating the absence of a user comprises a signal indicating the absence of an adult-sized human being in the environment proximate to the household appliance. Accordingly, a user may be any adult human, e.g. as opposed to a child or animal. Such a user may also be referred to as an ‘authorised user’. Alternatively, a user may be a particular adult amongst a plurality of adults, e.g. an adult linked to a user account to which the household appliance is registered. Analysing the channel state information of the Wi-Fi communications device may allow for differentiation between objects of different sizes, and this information may be used to infer whether a given detected object is a user (e.g. an adult human or a particular adult human) or a non-authorised entity (e.g. a child or animal). Such enriched information may be particularly, but not exclusively, obtained in embodiments where deep learning techniques are used to analyse the channel state information, as will be described further below.

[0090] In embodiments, the non-authorised entity comprises a living organism, such as a child or an animal. In embodiments, a signal indicating the presence of a nonauthorised entity comprises a signal indicating a child-sized human being (e.g. a human being of a relatively small size, e.g. in terms of height, mass, etc.) or an animal within an environment proximate to the household appliance. In embodiments, a signal indicating the absence of a non-authorised entity comprises a signal indicating the absence of a child-sized human being or an animal within the environment proximate to the household appliance. Accordingly, in some cases, adult human beings may be considered users of the appliance, whereas children or animals (or inanimate objects) may be considered non-authorised entities.

[0091] In embodiments, the predetermined operating mode is caused based on reference channel state information stored on the household appliance. The reference channel state information comprises channel state information that corresponds to a presence or absence of a user, and / or a presence or absence of a non-authorised entity. That is, the reference channel state information is known (e.g. having previously been determined) to correspond to either a presence or an absence of a user, and / or a presence or absence of a non-authorised entity. The reference channel state information may thus be considered as a ‘ground truth’. The appliance can then use the reference channel state information, along with the current (monitored) channel state information, to make a determination as to whether a user and / or a non-authorised entity is currently present or absent. In embodiments, the controller 240 causes the predetermined operating mode based on a result of a comparison between the monitored channel state information and the reference channel state information. For example, if the monitored channel state information matches (or is sufficiently similar to, e.g. within a predetermined tolerance) reference channel state information that corresponds to the presence of a user, then it may be determined that a user is currently present, and the appliance operated accordingly. Similarly, if the monitored channel state information matches (or is sufficiently similar to, e.g. within a predetermined tolerance) reference channel state information that corresponds to an absence of a user, then it may be determined that a user is currently not present, and the appliance operated accordingly. It will be understood that comparing the monitored channel state information to the reference channel state information may involve comparing the ‘complete’ channel state information, or may involve comparing features representative of the respective monitored and reference channel state information. Similarly, storing the reference channel state information on the appliance may involve storing features representative of the ‘complete’ reference channel state information.

[0092] In embodiments, the household appliance comprises a trained presence detection algorithm. The algorithm may be implemented by the controller 240 or the wireless connectivity interface 205, for example. The trained presence detection algorithm is configured to receive data indicating the monitored channel state information of the Wi-Fi communication device. The data may comprise the channel state information, or features derived therefrom, for example. In some cases, for example where the algorithm is implemented by the controller 240, the received data may be derived from the signal generated by the wireless connectivity interface 205. The algorithm is configured to process the received data to determine presence information. The presence information indicates the presence or absence of the user and / or the presence or absence of the non-authorised entity. The determined presence information is then output from the algorithm to control operation of the appliance 100, e.g. to cause the predetermined operating mode of the appliance. In examples where the algorithm is implemented by the wireless connectivity interface 205, the determined presence information may be encoded as the signal which is passed to the controller 240, as described above. Using a trained presence detection algorithm provides a more accurate and / or reliable determination of the presence or absence of users and / or entities than a comparative case in which a trained algorithm is not used. Each home environment (comprising one or more appliances) is unique, depending on how furniture and walls are placed, the textures of surfaces, the number of humans typically in the environment, and where the appliance and home router are located, etc. Accordingly, an algorithm may be trained in a specific environment such that presence detection is tailored to that environment.

[0093] In embodiments, the presence detection algorithm is trained using the reference channel state information, e.g. stored on the appliance. In embodiments, the presence detection algorithm comprises a machine learning model trained to determine the presence information using the monitored channel state information of the Wi-Fi communication device. The machine learning model may comprise a deep learning model. The machine learning model may comprise an artificial neural network, ANN, such as a feedforward neural network for example. An ANN may comprise a set of interconnected weights, which may be applied to input data (e.g. channel state information or features derived therefrom) to process the input data. The network may comprise a number of layers (including one or more hidden layers) each comprising respective weights, or ‘neurons’. ‘Training’ a model such as an ANN as described herein refers to adjusting (or ‘updating’) the internal parameters of the model, e.g. the weights of the ANN that will be applied to the channel state information to process the channel state information. Back-propagation learning may be employed in some cases. Such a machine learning model may be able to provide more accurate and / or nuanced data regarding the presence or absence of users and / or entities in the environment of the appliance, compared to an algorithm that does not exploit machine learning techniques. In some cases, the machine learning model comprises a recurrent neural network, having one or more loops to allow information to be passed back to previous layers, e.g. as a form of memory. Such networks may be particularly suitable for processing sequential data, such as dynamically- varying channel state information.

[0094] In embodiments, the presence detection algorithm is trained during normal usage of the household appliance. ‘Normal usage’ as described herein refers to an everyday or primary usage of the household appliance by a user, e.g. in accordance with using a primary function of the appliance, such as cooking. This is in contrast with an explicit, or dedicated, training phase for the algorithm. In such a dedicated training phase, the user may be required to perform certain steps (e.g. moving in and out of the vicinity of the appliance) in order to train the presence detection algorithm, and such steps are separate from the normal everyday usage of the appliance. Accordingly, in the embodiments disclosed herein, the presence detection algorithm is trained without a dedicated training phase, since the algorithm is instead trained passively, during normal usage of the appliance by a user. This provides a less onerous, more user-friendly, experience, compared to a case in which a user is required to go through an explicit or active training or configuration phase. Further, this may improve an accuracy and / or reliability of the trained presence detection algorithm, since an explicit or dedicated training phase may be more prone to user error. The accuracy of the algorithm may also be improved by continuously training the algorithm. A system which requires a dedicated training phase may be prone to errors over time (and which may increase over time) if the environment changes, e.g. if the location of furniture changes, and if the training phase is not repeated by a user. The present system can avoid such errors, by continuously training and updating the algorithm during everyday use of the appliance. Providing an improved presence detection algorithm, in terms of accuracy and / or reliability, thus improves operation of the appliance, since the predetermined operating mode of the appliance is conditional on the presence or absence of a user and / or the presence or absence of a non-authorised entity, as determined by the presence detection algorithm.

[0095] In embodiments, the presence detection algorithm is adjusted based on the generated signal. For example, where the algorithm comprises an artificial neural network, adjusting the algorithm may comprise adjusting the weights of the network. As such, training of the algorithm may be continued as more up-to-date information regarding the presence or absence of users and / or entities becomes available, thus improving the accuracy and / or reliability of the algorithm.

[0096] In embodiments, in response to a predetermined trigger, current channel state information of the Wi-Fi communication device is used to determine reference channel state information. Current channel state information refers to monitored channel state information of the Wi-Fi communication device at a current time. The determined reference channel state information may then be stored on the appliance. Accordingly, when one or more conditions are met (corresponding to the trigger), reference channel state information is determined using current channel state information. In some cases, the current channel state information itself may be stored as reference channel state information. In other examples, the current channel state information may be used to derive or update the reference channel state information, but the resulting reference channel state information may be different from the current channel state information. Once stored, the reference channel state information may then be used to subsequently control the appliance and / or to train the presence detection algorithm, as discussed above. For example, the reference channel state information may be used as a ‘ground truth’ against which subsequently measured channel state information can be compared.

[0097] In embodiments, the reference channel state information corresponds to a presence of a user, and the predetermined trigger comprises an interaction with the household appliance by a user. As such, when a user interacts with the appliance, the current channel state information is used to determine reference channel state information corresponding to the presence of the user. It may be inferred, for example, that if a user is interacting with the appliance, the user must be present, and therefore the channel state information of the Wi-Fi communication device at that time can be stored as reference channel state information corresponding to the presence of the user. Subsequently, such reference channel state information can be used to determine whether or not a user is present. In embodiments, the interaction with the household appliance by the user comprises a user action performed directly on the household appliance by the user. For example, the user may operate a user interface of the household appliance, such as a touchscreen. In embodiments, the interaction with the appliance comprises a direct interaction with a physical part of the appliance, e.g. a user interface (including touchscreen, knobs, controls), a handle or door of the appliance. For example, sensors in the appliance can detect such interaction and send signals to the controller of the appliance accordingly. In embodiments, the interaction with the household appliance by the user is a part of normal usage of the household appliance by the authorised user. For example, the interaction may be associated with a primary function of the appliance, e.g. a cooking function. For example, the interaction may comprise a user action to control a cooking element of the appliance. Accordingly, reference channel state information corresponding to the presence of a user may be obtained on the basis of ‘normal’ everyday interactions with the appliance by a user, thus avoiding the need for a dedicated training or setup phase to obtain such reference channel state information. In embodiments, the reference channel state information corresponds to an absence of a user, and the predetermined trigger comprises expiry of a predetermined time from a most recent interaction with the household appliance by a user. For example, if a most recent interaction with the household appliance by a user occurred more than 6 hours ago, it may be inferred that no users are present, and thus reference channel state information corresponding to that condition may be obtained from the current channel state information of the Wi-Fi communication device, and stored on the appliance for future use. The predetermined time from the most recent interaction may be, for example, 1 hour, 2 hours, 3 hours, 6 hours, 12 hours, 24 hours, etc.

[0098] In embodiments, the predetermined trigger comprises a current time of day being a predetermined time of day. For example, if it is currently night time (e.g. between 11pm and 6am, or 2am to 4am, etc.), it may be inferred that no users are present in the vicinity of the appliance, and thus reference channel state information corresponding to that condition may be obtained from the current channel state information of the Wi-Fi communication device, and stored on the appliance for future use. Similarly, if it is currently night time it may be inferred that no non-authorised entities (e.g. children) are present, and thus reference channel state information corresponding to that condition may be obtained from the current channel state information of the Wi-Fi communication device, and stored on the appliance for future use. Contrastingly, if it is currently a time of day at which the appliance is often in use (e.g. dinner time, where the appliance is a cooking appliance), it may be inferred that users and possibly also non-authorised entities, may be present, and thus reference channel state information corresponding to that condition may be obtained from the current channel state information of the Wi-Fi communication device, and stored on the appliance for future use.

[0099] In embodiments, an amount of variation in channel state information of the WiFi communication device over a predetermined time period is determined. The determined amount of variation is then compared to a threshold. In embodiments, the predetermined trigger comprises the determined amount of variation having a predefined relationship with the threshold. For example, the predetermined trigger may comprise the determined amount of variation being above the threshold. In such a case, it may be inferred that a user is present in the environment of the appliance, because of a relatively large amount of variation in channel state information, indicating a dynamically-changing environment. Contrastingly, the predetermined trigger may comprise the determined amount of variation being below the threshold. In such a case, it may be inferred that no users (and / or no non-authorised entities) are present in the environment of the appliance, because of a relatively small amount of variation in channel state information, indicating an unchanging environment. This may be the case during the night, for example, or when the environment is otherwise empty of moving objects. In other words, channel state information that is relatively stable over a prolonged period of time is indicative of the absence of users and / or entities. Different thresholds may be used to infer the presence and absence of users and / or entities.

[0100] In embodiments, the predetermined trigger comprises receipt of data from a further household appliance located in an environment of the household appliance. The received data may indicate a result of a determination, made by the further household appliance, of a presence or absence of a user and / or a presence or absence of a nonauthorised entity in the environment of the household appliance. For example, if the further household appliance makes a determination that a user is currently present in the environment (e.g. based on a user interacting with the further appliance), the further household appliance may inform the first household appliance of this determination. The first household appliance can then obtain reference channel state information corresponding to the presence of a user, using the current channel state information of the Wi-Fi communication device, and store the reference channel state information on the appliance for future use (e.g. to operate the appliance and / or to train the presence detection algorithm). Similarly, the first household appliance may inform other household appliances of a determined presence or absence of users and / or nonauthorised entities, thus allowing the knowledge and / or learning of different appliances to reinforce one another.

[0101] Figure 6 shows a method 600 of operating a household appliance, according to embodiments. The household appliance comprises a wireless connectivity interface for communicating wirelessly with external devices. The wireless connectivity interface comprises a Wi-Fi communication device. The method 600 may be used to operate the household appliance 100 described above with reference to Figures 1 to 3. Accordingly, the wireless connectivity interface may comprise the wireless connectivity interface 205 described above. In embodiments, the method 600 is performed by the household appliance 100. In particular, in embodiments, the method 600 is performed in part by the controller 240 and in part by the wireless connectivity interface 205. As such, the method 600 may be performed by a combination of the wireless connectivity interface 205 and the controller 240, in some cases. In alternative embodiments, the method 600 is performed solely by the controller 240 or solely by the wireless connectivity interface 205. In alternative embodiments, the method 600 is performed in part by an entity other than the household appliance 100.

[0102] At item 610, channel state information of the Wi-Fi communication device is monitored. At item 620, in response to a predetermined trigger, the monitored channel state information is used to determine reference channel state information that corresponds to either presence or absence of a user. For example, the monitored channel state information may be assigned and stored as the reference channel state information. At item 630, the reference channel state information is used to train a presence detection algorithm to detect, based on channel state information of the Wi-Fi communication device, presence or absence of the user. At item 640, the household appliance is operated using the trained presence detection algorithm. The predetermined trigger is associated with normal usage of the household appliance by the user, such that a dedicated training phase for the presence detection algorithm is avoided.

[0103] ‘Normal usage’ as described herein refers to an everyday or primary usage of the household appliance by a user. For example, the predetermined trigger may be associated with operation of the household appliance by the user in relation to performing a primary function of the appliance, such as cooking or cleaning. This is in contrast with an explicit, or dedicated, training phase for the algorithm. In such a dedicated training phase, the user may be required to perform certain steps (e.g. moving in and out of the vicinity of the appliance) in order to train the presence detection algorithm, and such steps are separate from the normal everyday usage of the appliance. For example, a dedicated training process could require a user to stand in front of the appliance, then move to a certain distance, then a greater distance, and so on, and repeat these actions to account for further users and / or entities such as children. Accordingly, in the embodiments disclosed herein, the presence detection algorithm is trained without a dedicated training phase, since the algorithm is instead trained passively, during normal usage of the appliance by a user. In other words, a dedicated training phase is prevented, or avoided, in the embodiments disclosed herein. This provides a less onerous, more user-friendly, experience, compared to a case in which a user is required to go through an explicit or active training or configuration phase. Further, this may improve an accuracy and / or reliability of the trained presence detection algorithm, since an explicit or dedicated training phase may be more prone to user error. Providing an improved presence detection algorithm, in terms of accuracy and / or reliability, thus improves operation of the appliance, since operation of the appliance is performed using the trained presence detection algorithm. The algorithm, in this way, is trained for the specific environment in which it operates and it can be repeatedly or continuously refined as new data is acquired. Accordingly, following operation of the household appliance using the trained presence detection algorithm, i.e. even after the operation using the trained presence detection algorithm has commenced, new reference channel state information is determined and used to refine the algorithm. Specifically, in response to another predetermined trigger, occurring after use of the trained presence detection algorithm has commenced, the method may use new monitored channel state information corresponding to either presence or absence of the user to determine new reference channel state information, using the new reference channel state information to refine the presence detection algorithm and then operating the household appliance using the refined presence detection algorithm, wherein as before the predetermined trigger is associated with normal usage of the household appliance by the user. This may be particularly useful in cases where there may be an environmental change such as the addition of new furniture or the like; the algorithm is able to automatically adapt to such changes, without specific user input being required.

[0104] The trained presence detection algorithm is configured to receive data indicative of channel state information of the Wi-Fi communication device, and to process the received data to determine presence information indicating the presence or absence of the user. The presence information may then be output and used to control operation of the appliance. In embodiments, the presence detection algorithm comprises a statistical algorithm. In embodiments, the presence detection algorithm comprises a machine learning model. In embodiments, the presence detection algorithm comprises an artificial neural network. In either case, the reference channel state information is used as a ‘ground truth’ to train the presence detection algorithm. For example, where the reference channel state information is known to correspond to an absence of a user, the reference channel state information may be input to the presence detection algorithm, and the algorithm may be adjusted until the presence information generated by the algorithm indicates an absence of a user (or, more generally, until a loss or error between the output of the algorithm and the ground truth is below a predetermined threshold). Adjusting the algorithm may comprise adjusting the weights of an artificial neural network, for example. This may be repeated over time, using different reference channel state information, in order to more finely tune the algorithm and improve its performance. The learning process can continue for some time (e.g. days, weeks or months) or even indefinitely over the lifetime of the appliance, without inconveniencing the user by requiring the user to perform an explicit or dedicated training process. Such continued learning also makes the algorithm able to react to changes in the environment (e.g. the introduction or movement of furniture) in an autonomous way, without requiring any explicit action from the user.

[0105] In embodiments, the reference channel state information corresponds to presence of the user, and the predetermined trigger comprises an interaction with the household appliance by the user. In embodiments, the interaction with the household appliance by the user comprises a user action performed directly on the household appliance by the user. In embodiments, the interaction with the household appliance by the user is a part of normal usage of the household appliance by the user. For examples, the interaction may be associated with a primary function of the household appliance.

[0106] In embodiments, the reference channel state information corresponds to absence of the user, and the predetermined trigger comprises expiry of a predetermined time from a most recent interaction with the household appliance by the user. In embodiments, the predetermined trigger comprises a current time of day being a predetermined time of day.

[0107] In embodiments, the method 600 comprises determining an amount of variation in channel state information of the Wi-Fi communication device over a predetermined time period, and comparing the determined amount of variation to a threshold. In such embodiments, the predetermined trigger may comprise the determined amount of variation having a predefined relationship with the threshold (e.g. being above or below the threshold).

[0108] The methods described herein, for example the methods of Figures 4, 5 and / or 6, may be implemented using software, hardware or a combination of software and hardware. A computer program comprising instructions for carrying out the methods may be stored in the memory 300 of the household appliance. Similarly, for operations carried out by the server, a computer program comprising instructions for carrying out those operations may be stored in the memory of the server. The instructions may be executed by the controller, or one or more other processors of the appliance or the server, to cause the appliance, or the server as the case may be, to carry out the methods. The computer program may be stored in non-volatile memory and loaded into volatile memory associated with the controller or any other processor to be run by an operating system of the household appliance or the server. The instructions for the server may form a computer program product which is transferred over a network to the server and stored therein. Similarly, the instructions appropriate for the household appliance may form a computer program product, for example, an app or a selectable functionality of an app, which can be activated or downloaded from an app provider and / or transferred as a software update over the air from the server.

[0109] 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 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 wireless connectivity interface for communicating wirelessly with external devices, the wireless connectivity interface comprising a Wi-Fi communication device; and a controller configured to cause a predetermined operating mode of the household appliance, in response to receipt of a signal, from the wireless connectivity interface, indicating: a presence or an absence of a user; and / or a presence or an absence of a non-authorised entity, wherein the wireless connectivity interface is configured to monitor channel state information of the Wi-Fi communication device, and to generate the signal based on the channel state information of the Wi-Fi communication device.

2. A household appliance according to claim 1, wherein causing the predetermined operating mode comprises enabling or disabling one or more predetermined functions of the household appliance.

3. A household appliance according to claim 2, wherein enabling the one or more predetermined functions comprises establishing a communications channel between the household appliance and a server.

4. A household appliance according to claim 3, wherein the enabling is performed in response to the signal indicating the presence of the user.

5. A household appliance according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein establishing the communications channel between the household appliance and the server causes the server to send a push notification to a user device.

6. A household appliance according to any of claims 3 to 5, wherein disabling the one or more predetermined functions comprises interrupting a communications channel between the household appliance and the server.

7. A household appliance according to any of claims 2 to 6, wherein the one or more predetermined functions comprise transmitting remote monitoring data from the household appliance, to enable remote monitoring and / or control of operation of the household appliance via a user device.

8. A household appliance according to any of claims 2 to 7, wherein the household appliance comprises a user interface and the one or more predetermined functions comprise operation of the user interface.

9. A household appliance according to any of claims 2 to 8, wherein the household appliance comprises a cooking element and the one or more predetermined functions comprise operation of the cooking element.

10. A household appliance according to any preceding claim, wherein the channel state information is derived from a signal received at the Wi-Fi communication device from a wireless access point located in an environment of the household appliance.

11. A household appliance according to any preceding claim, wherein the household appliance is configured to receive, from a further household appliance, data indicating further channel state information of a Wi-Fi communication device of the further household appliance, and wherein the controller is configured to cause the predetermined operating mode based on the further channel state information indicated by the received data.

12. A household appliance according to any preceding claim, wherein the signal indicates movement of the user and / or of the non-authorised entity within an environment proximate to the appliance.

13. A household appliance according to any preceding claim, wherein the non-authorised entity comprises a living organism.

14. A household appliance according to claim 13, wherein the living organism comprises a child or an animal.

15. A household appliance according to any preceding claim, wherein a signal indicating the presence of a user comprises a signal indicating an adult-sized human being within an environment proximate to the household appliance, and a signal indicating the absence of a user comprises a signal indicating the absence of an adultsized human being in the environment proximate to the household appliance.

16. A household appliance according to any preceding claim, wherein a signal indicating the presence of a non-authorised entity comprises a signal indicating a child- sized human being or an animal within an environment proximate to the household appliance, and a signal indicating the absence of a non-authorised entity comprises a signal indicating the absence of a child-sized human being or an animal within the environment proximate to the household appliance.

17. A household appliance according to any preceding claim, wherein the controller is configured to cause the predetermined operating mode based on reference channel state information stored on the household appliance, the reference channel state information comprising channel state information that corresponds to a presence or absence of a user, and / or a presence or absence of a non-authorised entity.

18. A household appliance according to claim 17, wherein the controller is configured to cause the predetermined operating mode based on a result of a comparison between the monitored channel state information and the reference channel state information.

19. A household appliance according to any preceding claim, wherein the household appliance comprises a trained presence detection algorithm configured to: receive data indicating the monitored channel state information of the Wi-Fi communication device; process the received data to determine presence information indicating the presence or absence of the user and / or the presence or absence of the non-authorised entity; and output the determined presence information to enable the controller to cause the predetermined operating mode of the household appliance.

20. A household appliance according to claim 19 when dependent on claim 17 or claim 18, wherein the presence detection algorithm is trained using the reference channel state information.

21. A household appliance according to claim 19 or claim 20, wherein the presence detection algorithm comprises a machine learning model trained to determine the presence information using the monitored channel state information of the Wi-Fi communication device.

22. A household appliance according to claim 21, wherein the machine learning model comprises an artificial neural network.

23. A household appliance according to any of claims 19 to 22, wherein the presence detection algorithm is trained during normal usage of the household appliance.

24. A household appliance according to any of claims 19 to 23, wherein the presence detection algorithm is trained without a dedicated training phase.

25. A household appliance according to any of claims 19 to 24, wherein the household appliance is configured to adjust the presence detection algorithm based on the generated signal.

26. A household appliance according to any of claims 17 to 25, wherein the household appliance is configured to: in response to a predetermined trigger, use current channel state information of the Wi-Fi communication device to determine the reference channel state information; and store the determined reference channel state information on the household appliance.

27. A household appliance according to claim 26, wherein the reference channel state information corresponds to a presence of a user, andwherein the predetermined trigger comprises an interaction with the household appliance by a user.

28. A household appliance according to claim 27, wherein the interaction with the household appliance by the user comprises a user action performed directly on the household appliance by the user.

29. A household appliance according to claim 27 or claim 28, wherein the interaction with the household appliance by the user is a part of normal usage of the household appliance by the user.

30. A household appliance according to any of claims 26 to 28, wherein the reference channel state information corresponds to an absence of a user, and wherein the predetermined trigger comprises expiry of a predetermined time from a most recent interaction with the household appliance by a user.

31. A household appliance according to any of claims 26 to 29, wherein the predetermined trigger comprises a current time of day being a predetermined time of day.

32. A household appliance according to any of claims 26 to 31, wherein the household appliance is configured to: determine an amount of variation in channel state information of the Wi¬Fi communication device over a predetermined time period; and compare the determined amount of variation to a threshold, and wherein the predetermined trigger comprises the determined amount of variation having a predefined relationship with the threshold.

33. A household appliance according to any of claims 26 to 32, wherein the predetermined trigger comprises receipt of data from a further household appliance located in an environment of the household appliance.

34. A household appliance according to claim 33, wherein the data received from the further household appliance indicates a result of a determination, made by the further household appliance, of a presence or absence of a user and / or a presence or absence of a non-authorised entity in the environment of the household appliance.

35. A method of operating a household appliance, the household appliance comprising a wireless connectivity interface for communicating wirelessly with external devices, the wireless connectivity interface comprising a Wi-Fi communication device, the method comprising: at the wireless connectivity interface: monitoring channel state information of the Wi-Fi communication device; and generating a signal based on the channel state information of the Wi-Fi communication device, the signal indicating: a presence or an absence of a user; and / or a presence or an absence of a non-authorised entity; and at a controller of the household appliance: receiving the signal from the wireless connectivity interface; and in response to receiving the signal, causing a predetermined operating mode of the household appliance.

36. 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 wireless connectivity interface for communicating wirelessly with external devices, the wireless connectivity interface comprising a Wi-Fi communication device, the method comprising: receiving a signal from the wireless connectivity interface, the signal indicating: a presence or an absence of a user; and / or a presence or an absence of a non-authorised entity; and in response to receiving the signal, causing a predetermined operating mode of the household appliance,wherein the wireless connectivity interface is configured to monitor channel state information of the Wi-Fi communication device, and to generate the signal based on the channel state information of the Wi-Fi communication device.

37. A method of operating a household appliance, the household appliance comprising a wireless connectivity interface for communicating wirelessly with external devices, the wireless connectivity interface comprising a Wi-Fi communication device, the method comprising: monitoring channel state information of the Wi-Fi communication device; in response to a predetermined trigger, using the monitored channel state information to determine reference channel state information that corresponds to either presence or absence of a user; using the reference channel state information to train a presence detection algorithm to detect, based on channel state information of the Wi-Fi communication device, presence or absence of the user; and operating the household appliance using the trained presence detection algorithm, wherein the predetermined trigger is associated with normal usage of the household appliance by the user, such that a dedicated training phase for the presence detection algorithm is avoided.

38. A method according to claim 37, wherein the reference channel state information corresponds to presence of the user, and wherein the predetermined trigger comprises an interaction with the household appliance by the user.

39. A method according to claim 38, wherein the interaction with the household appliance by the user comprises a user action performed directly on the household appliance by the user.

40. A method according to claim 38 or claim 39, wherein the interaction with the household appliance by the user is a part of normal usage of the household appliance by the user.

41. A method according to any of claims 37 to 40, wherein the reference channel state information corresponds to absence of the user, and wherein the predetermined trigger comprises expiry of a predetermined time from a most recent interaction with the household appliance by the user.

42. A method according to any of claims 37 to 41, wherein the predetermined trigger comprises a current time of day being a predetermined time of day.

43. A method according to any of claims 37 to 42, wherein the method comprises: determining an amount of variation in channel state information of theWi-Fi communication device over a predetermined time period; and comparing the determined amount of variation to a threshold, and wherein the predetermined trigger comprises the determined amount of variation having a predefined relationship with the threshold.

44. A method according to any one of claims 37 to 43, further comprising following operation of the household appliance using the trained presence detection algorithm, in response to another predetermined trigger, using new monitored channel state information to determine new reference channel state information and using the new reference channel state information to refine the presence detection algorithm and then operating the household appliance using the refined presence detection algorithm.

45. 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 wireless connectivity interface for communicating wirelessly with external devices, the wireless connectivity interface comprising a Wi-Fi communication device, the method comprising: monitoring channel state information of the Wi-Fi communication device;in response to a predetermined trigger, using the monitored channel state information to determine reference channel state information that corresponds to either presence or absence of a user; using the reference channel state information to train a presence detection algorithm to detect, based on channel state information of the Wi-Fi communication device, presence or absence of the user; and operating the household appliance using the trained presence detection algorithm, wherein the predetermined trigger is associated with normal usage of the household appliance by the user, such that a dedicated training phase for the presence detection algorithm is avoided.

46. A household appliance comprising a wireless connectivity interface for communicating wirelessly with external devices, the wireless connectivity interface comprising a Wi-Fi communication device, the household appliance being configured to: monitor channel state information of the Wi-Fi communication device; in response to a predetermined trigger, use the monitored channel state information to determine reference channel state information that corresponds to either presence or absence of a user; use the reference channel state information to train a presence detection algorithm to detect, based on channel state information of the Wi-Fi communication device, presence or absence of the user; and operate the household appliance using the trained presence detection algorithm, wherein the predetermined trigger is associated with normal usage of the household appliance by the user, such that a dedicated training phase for the presence detection algorithm is avoided.

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