Controlling a household appliance

Abstract

A system comprises a household appliance and one or more controllers. The household appliance is operable to be controlled via a remote control device, the household appliance comprising Bluetooth™ Low Energy, BLE, communications circuitry operable to transmit and / or receive BLE signals. The one or more controllers are configured to determine a position of the remote control device relative to the household appliance, wherein the determining is based on a measurement of an angle of arrival, AoA, and / or an angle of departure, AoD, of one or more BLE signals transmitted between the household appliance and the remote control device. The one or more controllers are configured to, based on the determined position, control the household appliance to perform an operating activity of the household appliance.

Description

[0001] CONTROLLING A HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE

[0002] Technical Field

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

[0004] Background

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

[0006] Some household appliances may be operated by a user performing an action directly on the household appliance. For example, the appliance may comprise a user interface such as a touchscreen, operable to receive user input for controlling the appliance. Additionally or alternatively, some household appliances may be operated remotely, that is, without the user having to perform an action directly on the household appliance. For example, a household appliance may be equipped with communications circuitry, such as a wireless transceiver. This allows the appliance to be remote controlled based on data transmitted and / or received via a wireless communications network. A user may use a personal device, such as a mobile phone or smartwatch, to remotely control the household appliance, by interacting with a user interface, such as a touchscreen, of the personal device. The household appliance may communicate with the personal device directly or via a server.

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

[0008] Summary

[0009] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a system comprising: a household appliance operable to be controlled via a remote control device, the household appliance comprising Bluetooth™ Low Energy, BLE, communications circuitry operable to transmit and / or receive BLE signals; and one or more controllers configured to: determine a position of the remote control device relative to the household appliance, wherein the determining is based on a measurement of an angle of arrival, AoA, and / or an angle of departure, AoD, of one or more BLE signals transmitted between the household appliance and the remote control device; and based on the determined position, control the household appliance to perform an operating activity of the household appliance.

[0010] In embodiments, the system comprises the remote control device.

[0011] In embodiments, the remote control device comprises an accessory of the household appliance, the accessory being configured to interoperate with the household appliance to provide one or more enhanced functions of the household appliance.

[0012] In embodiments, the remote control device comprises a constrained device.

[0013] In embodiments, the remote control device comprises an end device.

[0014] In embodiments, the remote control device comprises single wireless communications circuitry configured to transmit BLE signals to the household appliance and / or receive BLE signals from the household appliance.

[0015] In embodiments, the remote control device is configured to communicate data with the household appliance, the data having a proprietary data format of a manufacturer of the household appliance.

[0016] In embodiments, the remote control device comprises an appliance operating parameter sensor for sensing an operating parameter of the household appliance.

[0017] In embodiments, the remote control device comprises a wireless temperature sensor, a utensil, a kitchen scales, a wireless control device and / or an air quality sensor.

[0018] In embodiments, the remote control device comprises a microelectromechanical systems, MEMS, sensor configured to generate MEMS sensor data indicative of movement of the remote control device. In such embodiments, the controlling the household appliance to perform the operating activity is dependent on the movement of the remote control device indicated by the MEMS sensor data.

[0019] In embodiments, the MEMS sensor comprises an accelerometer, a gyroscope and / or an inertial measurement unit.

[0020] In embodiments, the remote control device is configured to transmit the MEMS sensor data to the household appliance.

[0021] In embodiments, the determining the position of the remote control device is further based on a measurement of a signal strength of the one or more BLE signals transmitted between the household appliance and the remote control device.

[0022] In embodiments, the household appliance comprises the controller. In embodiments, the household appliance is configured to receive the one or more BLE signals from the remote control device.

[0023] In embodiments, the BLE communications circuity comprises an array of antennae for receiving the one or more BLE signals from the remote control device.

[0024] In embodiments, the operating activity comprises controlling a heating element of the household appliance.

[0025] In embodiments, the operating activity comprises controlling a user interface of the household appliance.

[0026] In embodiments, the operating activity comprises enabling a remote control mode of the household appliance.

[0027] In embodiments, the controlling the household appliance to perform the operating activity comprises transmitting a remote control signal to the household appliance.

[0028] In embodiments, the remote control signal is a BLE signal transmitted to the BLE communications circuitry of the household appliance.

[0029] In embodiments, the controller is configured to: based on the measurement of the Ao A and / or the AoD, determine that the remote control device is located in a predefined zone of an environment of the household appliance; and control the household appliance to perform the operating activity in response to the determining that the remote control device is located in the predefined zone.

[0030] In embodiments, the controller is configured to control the household appliance to perform the operating activity in response to a determination that the remote control device has been located in the predefined zone for a predetermined time period.

[0031] In embodiments, the controller is configured to: based on the measurement of the Ao A and / or the AoD, determine a distance between the remote control device and the household appliance; and control the household appliance to perform the operating activity based on the determined distance.

[0032] In embodiments, the controller is configured to: based on the measurement of the Ao A and / or the AoD, determine a change in the position of the remote control device relative to the household appliance, and control the household appliance to perform the operating activity based on the determined change.

[0033] In embodiments, the controller is configured to: based on the measurement of the Ao A and / or the AoD, determine a movement of the remote control device relative to the household appliance, and control the household appliance to perform the operating activity based on the determined movement.

[0034] In embodiments, the controller is configured to control the household appliance to perform the operating activity based on a comparison between the determined movement and a predefined gesture performed by a user and the remote control device.

[0035] In embodiments, the determined position is a first position, and the controlling the household appliance to perform the operating activity comprises enabling a remote control mode of the household appliance. In some such embodiments, the controller is configured to: further determine that the remote control device has moved from the first position to a second position relative to the household appliance, wherein the further determining is based on a measurement of an angle of arrival, AoA, and / or an angle of departure, AoD, of one or more further BLE signals transmitted between the household appliance and the remote control device; and based on the further determining, control the household appliance to perform a further operating activity of the household appliance.

[0036] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of operating a household appliance, the household appliance operable to be controlled via a remote control device, the household appliance comprising Bluetooth™ Low Energy, BLE, communications circuitry operable to transmit and / or receive BLE signals, the method comprising: determining a position of the remote control device relative to the household appliance, wherein the determining is based on a measurement of an angle of arrival, AoA, and / or an angle of departure, AoD, of one or more BLE signals transmitted between the household appliance and the remote control device; and based on the determined position, controlling the household appliance to perform an operating activity of the household appliance.

[0037] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer program comprising a set of instructions which, when executed by a computerised device, cause the computerised device to perform a method of operating a household appliance, the household appliance operable to be controlled via a remote control device, the household appliance comprising Bluetooth™ Low Energy, BLE, communications circuitry operable to transmit and / or receive BLE signals, the method comprising: determining a position of the remote control device relative to the household appliance, wherein the determining is based on a measurement of an angle of arrival, AoA, and / or an angle of departure, AoD, of one or more BLE signals transmitted between the household appliance and the remote control device; and based on the determined position, controlling the household appliance to perform an operating activity of the household appliance.

[0038] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a remote control device for controlling a household appliance, the remote control device comprising: Bluetooth™ Low Energy, BLE, communications circuitry operable to transmit and / or receive BLE signals; and a controller configured to: determine a position of the remote control device relative to the household appliance, wherein the determining is based on a measurement of an angle of arrival, AoA, and / or an angle of departure, AoD, of one or more BLE signals transmitted between the household appliance and the remote control device; and based on the determined position, control the household appliance to perform an operating activity of the household appliance.

[0039] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a system comprising: a household appliance operable, when a remote control mode of the household appliance is enabled, to be controlled via a remote control device; sensor equipment operable to generate sensor data indicative of a position of the remote control device relative to the household appliance; and a controller configured to: receive first sensor data from the sensor equipment, the first sensor data indicating that the remote control device is at a first position relative to the household appliance; in response to receiving the first sensor data, control the household appliance to enable the remote control mode of the household appliance; receive second sensor data from the sensor equipment, the second sensor data indicating movement of the remote control device; and in response to receiving the second sensor data, control the household appliance to perform an operating activity of the household appliance.

[0040] In embodiments, the sensor equipment comprises Bluetooth Low Energy, BLE, sensor equipment configured to measure an angle of arrival, AoA, and / or an angle of departure, AoD, of BLE signals.

[0041] In embodiments, the household appliance comprises the sensor equipment.

[0042] In embodiments, the household appliance comprises the controller.

[0043] In embodiments, the controller is configured to control the household appliance to perform the operating activity based on a comparison between the movement of the remote control device indicated by the second sensor data and a predefined gesture performed by a user and the remote control device. In embodiments, the remote control device comprises an accessory of the household appliance, the accessory being configured to interoperate with the household appliance to provide one or more enhanced functions of the household appliance.

[0044] In embodiments, the remote control device comprises a wireless temperature sensor, a utensil, a kitchen scales, a wireless control device and / or an air quality sensor.

[0045] In embodiments, the remote control device comprises a microelectromechanical systems, MEMS, sensor configured to sense movement of the remote control device. In some such embodiments, the controlling the household appliance to perform the operating activity is dependent on the movement of the remote control device sensed using the MEMS sensor.

[0046] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of operating a household appliance, the household appliance being operable, when a remote control mode of the household appliance is enabled, to be controlled via a remote control device, the method comprising: receiving, from sensor equipment, first sensor data indicating that the remote control device is at a first position relative to the household appliance; in response to receiving the first sensor data, controlling the household appliance to enable the remote control mode of the household appliance; receiving second sensor data from the sensor equipment, the second sensor data indicating movement of the remote control device; and in response to receiving the second sensor data, controlling the household appliance to perform an operating activity of the household appliance.

[0047] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer program comprising a set of instructions which, when executed by a computerised device, cause the computerised device to perform a method of operating a household appliance, the household appliance being operable, when a remote control mode of the household appliance is enabled, to be controlled via a remote control device, the method comprising: receiving, from sensor equipment, first sensor data indicating that the remote control device is at a first position relative to the household appliance; in response to receiving the first sensor data, controlling the household appliance to enable the remote control mode of the household appliance; receiving second sensor data from the sensor equipment, the second sensor data indicating movement of the remote control device; and in response to receiving the second sensor data, controlling the household appliance to perform an operating activity of the household appliance.

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

[0049] Brief description of the drawings

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

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

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

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

[0054] Figure 4 is a flow diagram showing a method according to embodiments;

[0055] Figure 5 is a flow diagram showing a method according to embodiments;

[0056] Figures 6A-6C are schematic diagrams of a system according to embodiments;

[0057] Figures 7 A and 7B are schematic diagrams of a system according to embodiments;

[0058] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of a system according to embodiments; and

[0059] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of a remote control device according to embodiments.

[0060] Detailed Description

[0061] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a household appliance, according to embodiments. The household appliance 100, and / or components thereof, may be used to implement the methods described herein. A household (or “domestic”) appliance may be configured to perform one or more household tasks, such as cooking, cleaning, or storing food. As such, the household appliance 100 may comprise a cooking appliance, a cleaning appliance, a food storage appliance, etc. In the example shown in Figure 1, the household appliance 100 comprises an oven. Other examples of household appliances (which may be used to implement the presently-described methods) include, but are not limited to, refrigerators, freezers, air conditioning appliances, heating appliances, washing machines, tumble dryers, dishwashers, vacuum cleaners, hobs, microwaves, and toasters. The one or more household tasks performed by the household appliance 100 may be considered the primary function of the household appliance 100, which may additionally have one or more secondary functions.

[0062] In the embodiments shown in Figure 1, the household appliance 100 comprises a door 140. Opening the door 140 allows an internal cavity (not shown) of the household appliance 100 to be accessed. The door 140 may be opened and closed using a door opening mechanism 145, e.g. a handle. In alternative embodiments, for example where the household appliance 100 comprises a hob or an air conditioning unit, the household appliance 100 does not include a door or a door opening mechanism.

[0063] In the embodiments shown in Figure 1, the household appliance 100 comprises a display device 110. The display device 110 is an example of an output device. The display device 110 is operable to provide an output for a user, e.g. in the form of one or more displayed content items. In embodiments, the display device 110 comprises a liquid crystal display (LCD) device, such as a thin-film-transistor LCD (TFT LCD). In alternative embodiments, the household appliance 100 does not comprise the display device 110. In embodiments, the household appliance 100 comprises other output devices additionally or alternatively to the display device 110, such as a speaker, a haptic output device, etc. The household appliance may also comprise a user input device (not shown). The user input device may comprise one or more controls, knobs, dials, buttons, soft keys, microphones and / or other means for allowing a user to input instructions. The display device 110 may comprise a touch screen which also provides at least part of said user input device.

[0064] Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of a system 200, according to embodiments. The system 200 comprises the household appliance 100 described above with reference to Figure 1.

[0065] In the embodiments shown in Figure 2, the household appliance 100 comprises communications circuitry 205. In embodiments, the communications circuity 205 comprises a wireless communications unit, such as a wireless transceiver. For example, the communications circuitry 205 may comprise one or more wireless antennas. The communications circuitry 205 may comprise a printed circuit board (PCB) including both a transmitter and a receiver, or may comprise separate transmitter and receiver PCBs. The household appliance 100 can send and / or receive data through use of the communications circuitry 205. That is, the household appliance 100 may be able to send data, receive data, or both send and receive data. In embodiments, operation of the household appliance 100 may be controlled remotely based on data received via the communications circuitry 205.

[0066] In the embodiments shown in Figure 2, the communications circuitry 205 comprises Bluetooth™ Low Energy, BLE, communications circuitry. The BLE communications circuitry 205 is operable to transmit and / or receive BLE signals. For example, the BLE communications circuitry 205 may comprise one or more antennas for transmitting and / or receiving BLE signals. The BLE signals transmitted and / or received may be used to remotely control the household appliance 100, as will be described in more detail below. In embodiments, the BLE communications circuitry 205 is configured to operate according to Bluetooth™ version 5.1 or later. As such, the BLE communications circuitry 205 may be used to perform direction finding measurements, as described below.

[0067] In alternative embodiments, the communications circuitry 205 is operable to transmit and / or receive signals via a short-range wireless communications network other than a BLE network. Additionally or alternatively, the communications circuitry 205 may comprise a WiFi unit operable to send and / or receive data via the Internet and / or a home network, e.g. to communicate with a server. For example, the communications circuitry 205 may be configured to communicate with a gateway, e.g. a Wi-Fi router.

[0068] The system 200 also comprises a remote control device 230. The remote control device 230 is operable to control the household appliance 100. In embodiments, the remote control device 230 comprises a handheld, or portable, device. Although the term “remote” is used with reference to the remote control device 230, it will be understood that the remote control device 230 may be located in the vicinity of, e.g. in relatively close proximity to, the household appliance 100 in some embodiments (or during some time periods). That is, the remote control device 230 may be remotely located from the household appliance 100, but in some embodiments (or during some time periods) the remote control device 230 is not located remotely from the appliance 100. In either case, however, the remote control device 230 may be used to control the household appliance 100 without a user having to interact with the household appliance 100 directly, e.g. via a touchscreen or other user input device of the household appliance 100.

[0069] In the embodiments shown in Figure 2, the remote control device 230 comprises an accessory of the household appliance 100. The accessory is configured to interoperate with the household appliance 100 to provide one or more enhanced functions of the household appliance 100. The enhanced functions may comprise, for example, one or more functions for interoperating with the accessory and / or one or more functions that the appliance 100 cannot perform without the accessory. It will be understood that an accessory of the household appliance 100, as described herein, is different from a user device such as a mobile phone or smart watch. For example, an accessory of the household appliance 100 may have a specific purpose or function that is related to the operation of the household appliance 100. The household appliance 100 and the accessory may be configured to interoperate with one another, such that the appliance 100 can perform one or more enhanced functions and / or such that the accessory can perform its primary function. In examples where the appliance 100 comprises a cooking appliance such as a hob or an oven, for example, the accessory may comprise a wireless temperature sensor such as a food thermometer, a timer, a cooking utensil, an item of crockery or cutlery, a kitchen scales, a baking tray, etc.

[0070] In embodiments, the remote control device 230 comprises a BLE accessory device, such as an Internet of Things, loT, accessory device. Such a device may be capable of short- range wireless communications via BLE, but may not have any other type of wireless communication circuitry. As such, it may not be capable of directly accessing a home network, such as a Wi-Fi network, to communicate, via the Internet, with a remote server and / or other device. In the embodiments shown in Figure 2, the remote control device 230 comprises single wireless communications circuitry 235. The single wireless communications circuitry 235 is configured to transmit BLE signals to the household appliance 100 and / or to receive BLE signals from the household appliance 100, e.g. to and / or from the communications circuitry 205 of the household appliance 100. That is, the single wireless communications circuitry 235 may comprise BLE communications circuitry. The BLE signals transmitted to and / or received from the household appliance 100 may be used to determine the position of the remote control device 230 relative to the household appliance 100, as will be described in more detail below. “Single” wireless communications circuitry 235 is used herein to denote that the remote control device 230 is able to communicate via a single type of wireless communications, for example BLE communications, and is not able to additionally communicate using different wireless communications technology, such as with a Wi-Fi or other wireless communication network and / or via wireless communication with a base station in a cellular network. In alternative embodiments, the remote control device 230 does not comprise the wireless communications circuitry 235. In embodiments, the remote control device 230 comprises a constrained device. Such a constrained device may be for handling a particular application purpose (e.g. an loT application such as a sensing application) without having intrinsic (or ‘built-in’) connectivity to a wider network such as the Internet. In embodiments, the remote control device 230 comprises an end device. Such an end device may serve as a source or destination device in a networked system, and may be interacted with directly by a user. In alternative embodiments, the remote control device 230 comprises an accessory that lacks any wireless connectivity. This may be the case, for example, in embodiments where a position of the remote control device 230 is determined by means other than using BLE signals (e.g. if an image sensor or proximity sensor is used), as discussed below. In embodiments, the remote control device 230 comprises an appliance operating parameter sensor (not shown) for sensing an operating parameter of the household appliance 100. For example, the remote control device 230 may comprise a temperature sensor for sensing a current operating temperature of the household appliance 100. As such, the remote control device 230 is configured to interoperate with the household appliance 100 in order to provide enhanced functionality of the household appliance 100, e.g. to sense various operating parameters of the household appliance 100 and optionally advise the user accordingly.

[0071] In embodiments, the remote control device 230 is configured to communicate data with the household appliance 100, where the communicated data has a proprietary data format of a manufacturer of the household appliance 100. Such data may comprise sensor data, remote control data, configuration data, user account data, etc. As such, the remote control device 230, which may be an accessory of the household appliance 100, may communicate with the appliance 100 in a manner that is bespoke to and / or dictated by the manufacturer of the appliance 100 (which may, optionally, be the same as the manufacturer of the remote control device 230). This is in contrast with a user device such as a mobile phone, which may be configured to communicate data with the appliance 100 having a standard data format, i.e. a data format conforming to one or more communications standards. In other embodiments, the remote control device 230 is configured to communicate data with a standard data format with the household appliance 100.

[0072] In alternative embodiments, the remote control device 230 comprises a user device. A user device is different from an accessory of the appliance 100. Such a user device may be referred to as a “personal device” of a user of the household appliance 100. For example, the remote control device 230 may comprise a mobile phone, smartwatch device, tablet computer, etc. Such a user device may be operable to transmit and / or receive BLE signals to and / or from the household appliance 100.

[0073] Operation of the household appliance 100 may be controlled via the remote control device 230 on the basis of BLE signals transmitted between the household appliance 100 and the remote control device 230. Such signals may be transmitted from the appliance 100 to the remote control device 230, from the remote control device 230 to the appliance 100, or both. In particular, the BLE signals transmitted between the appliance 100 and the remote control device 230 are used to determine a position of the remote control device 230 relative to the household appliance 100, and the household appliance 100 may then be controlled based on the determined position. The position of the remote control device 230 relative to the household appliance 100 may be determined based on a measurement of an angle of arrival, Ao A, and / or an angle of departure, AoD, of the BLE signals transmitted between the appliance 100 and the remote control device. Determining the relative position of the remote control device 230 using Ao A and / or AoD measurements of BLE signals is more accurate and / or precise than other methods of determining the relative position of the remote control device 230, e.g. methods based on measured signal strength of wireless signals communicated between the remote control device 230 and the appliance 100. AoA and / or AoD-based methods may provide location precision on the order of centimetres, for example.

[0074] To measure AoA and / or AoD, at least one of the household appliance 100 and the remote control device 230 may be equipped with multiple antennae arranged in an array. In the following description, the household appliance 100 comprises multiple antennae arranged in an array, whereas the remote control device 230 may comprise a single antenna. That is, the communications circuitry 205 of the appliance 100 comprises an array of antennae in some embodiments. It will be understood, however, that in alternative embodiments the household appliance 100 may comprise a single antenna whereas the remote control device 230 may comprise multiple antennae arranged in an array. In still further embodiments, both the household appliance 100 and the remote control device 230 comprise multiple antennae arranged in an array. AoA and / or AoD-based direction finding may use the Constant Tone Extension, CTE, which extends Bluetooth™ packets with a constant tone, e.g. a continuous phase, constant amplitude and constant frequency signal appended to the Bluetooth™ packet, after the Cyclic Redundancy Check, CRC.

[0075] For measuring AoA, the remote control device 230 transmits a BLE signal using a single antenna. As the transmitted signal is received at the array of antennae on the household appliance 100, there is a signal phase difference due to the different distances of each of the antenna in the array to the transmitting antenna. The household appliance 100 may then measure in-phase and quadrature, I / Q, samples of the signal while switching between the active antenna in the array. Based on the I / Q sample data, the household appliance 100 can thus calculate the relative direction from which the signal was transmitted.

[0076] For measuring AoD, the appliance 100 transmits a signal using multiple antennae arranged in an array. As the multiple signals from the multiple transmitting antennae are received at the single antenna of the remote control device 230, the remote control device 230 measures I / Q samples. Based on the I / Q sample data, the remote control device 230 can calculate the relative direction from which the signal was transmitted. It will be understood that in either case (Ao A or AoD), the roles of the appliance 100 and the remote control device 230 may be reversed. For example, the array of antennae may be arranged on the remote control device 230 instead of on the appliance 100. As such, the transmitting device may be the appliance 100 or the remote control device 230, and similarly the receiving device may be the appliance 100 or the remote control device 230. In some cases, both entities perform AoA / AoD measurements (e.g. each of the appliance 100 and the remote control device 230 acts as both transmitter and receiver). The I / Q samples used to determine Ao A and / or AoD may be measured by the communications circuitry 205, 235 of the respective devices, or alternatively by a controller of the respective devices based on BLE signals received via the communications circuitry 205, 235.

[0077] In alternative embodiments, the position of the remote control device 230 relative to the household appliance 100 is determined without the use of BLE signals and / or AoA / AoD measurements. That is, other means of determining the position of the remote control device 230 are envisaged. As such, the system 200 may, more generally, comprise sensor equipment operable to generate sensor data indicative of the position of the remote control device 230 relative to the household appliance 100. The communications circuitry 205 of the household appliance 100, e.g. if configured to communicate BLE signals with the remote control device 230, is an example of such sensor equipment, since the position of the remote control device 230 may be determined on the basis of sensed signals received by the communications circuity 205. That is, the sensor equipment may comprise BLE sensor equipment configured to measure AoA and / or AoD of BLE signals. However, the sensor equipment may alternatively comprise an image sensor, a proximity sensor, an acoustic sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, etc. Accordingly, the communications circuitry 205 of the household appliance 100 may be omitted in some embodiments. The sensor equipment may be arranged in the household appliance 100, in the remote control device 230, in a further household appliance, or in a further entity, and / or may be distributed among a plurality of locations (e.g. a first sensor located on the household appliance 100 and a second sensor located on a further household appliance, etc.).

[0078] In embodiments, the remote control device 230 comprises a microelectromechanical systems, MEMS, sensor. The MEMS sensor is configured to generate sensor data indicative of movement of the remote control device 230. The movement of the remote control device 230 indicated by the MEMS sensor data may be used to control the household appliance 100, e.g. to supplement the information provided by the BLE signals communicated between the household appliance 100 and the remote control device 230. Using MEMS sensor data in addition to the BLE signals may increase an accuracy and / or precision with which the position and / or movement of the remote control device 230 relative to the household appliance 100 is determined. In embodiments, the MEMS sensor comprises an accelerometer and / or a gyroscope. Additionally or alternatively, the MEMS sensor may comprise an inertial measurement unit, IMU. An IMU is a device that measures and reports, using a combination of accelerometers, gyroscopes and optionally magnetometers, a body’s specific force, angular rate and / or orientation. In embodiments, the remote control device 230 is configured to transmit the MEMS sensor data to the household appliance 100. This allows the household appliance 100 to use the MEMS sensor data to more accurately and / or precisely determine the position and / or movement of the remote control device 230. In alternative embodiments, for example where the remote control device 230 is configured to determine its own position and / or movement relative to the household appliance 100, the remote control device 203 does not transmit the MEMS sensor data to the household appliance 100.

[0079] The remote control device 230 may also comprise other components for realising the function(s) of the remote control device 230, such as one or more sensors, a display device, a power source, a user interface, etc.

[0080] In embodiments, the household appliance 100 is operable to be controlled via the remote control device 230 when a remote control mode of the household appliance 100 is enabled. That is, when the remote control mode of the household appliance 100 is not enabled, the remote control device 230 may not be able to control the household appliance 100. The remote control mode of the household appliance 100 may be enabled by a user performing an action directly on the household appliance 100, e.g. pressing a button on a user input device of the household appliance or issuing a voice command to the household appliance 100. Additionally or alternatively, the remote control mode of the household appliance 100 may be enabled on the basis of a determined position of the remote control device 230 relative to the household appliance 100. This will be described in more detail below.

[0081] In embodiments, the household appliance 100 may also be controlled by a user directly, e.g. without the use of the remote control device 230. For example, where the household appliance 100 comprises a user input device such as a touchscreen, the user may control operation of the household appliance 100 via the user input device of the household appliance 100 instead of, or in addition to, via the remote control device 230. In some embodiments, the household appliance 100 may be controlled both directly and indirectly using the remote control device 230. In embodiments, the system 200 comprises a further household appliance (not shown). The further household appliance may be configured to communicate with the first household appliance 100 and / or with the remote control device 230. The first household appliance 100 and the further household appliance may comprise different types of household appliance. For example, the first household appliance 100 may comprise an oven and the further household appliance may comprise a hob. In embodiments, the remote control device 230 is operable to control both the first household appliance 100 and additionally the further household appliance. Control of the further household appliance may be based on the position of the remote control device 230 relative to the further household appliance, e.g. as determined based on AoA and / or AoD measurements of BLE signals transmitted between the further household appliance and the remote control device 230. As such, a single remote control device 230, which may comprise an accessory of one or both of the appliances, may be used to remotely control both appliances. In alternative embodiments, the system 200 does not comprise a further household appliance.

[0082] Figure 3 shows a schematic block diagram of the household appliance 100, according to embodiments.

[0083] In the embodiments shown in Figure 3, the household appliance 100 comprises a controller 310. The controller 310 is operable to perform various data processing and / or control functions, as will be described in more detail below. The controller 310 may comprise one or more components. The one or more components may be implemented in hardware and / or software. The one or more components may be co-located or may be located remotely from each other in the household appliance 100. The controller 310 may be embodied as one or more software functions and / or hardware modules. In embodiments, the controller 310 comprises one or more processors configured to process instructions and / or data. Operations performed by the one or more processors may be carried out by hardware and / or software. The controller 310 may be configured to implement at least some of the methods described herein. In embodiments, the controller 310 is operable to output control signals for controlling one or more components of the household appliance 100. In embodiments, the controller 310 is operable to receive signals from one or more components of the household appliance 100, and to control one or more components of the household appliance 100 based on such received signals. In alternative embodiments, at least some of the methods described herein are implemented by a controller that is not comprised in the household appliance 100. For example, the relevant methods may be implemented by a controller of a remote control device, such as the remote control device 230 described above with reference to Figure 2. The controller of the remote control device 230 may be implemented in a similar manner to that described with respect to the controller 310 of the appliance 100. Accordingly, the controller 310 of the household appliance 100, or at least the controller functionality associated with the relevant methods described herein, may be omitted in some embodiments.

[0084] In embodiments, the household appliance 100 comprises communications circuitry 205, such as BLE communications circuitry, as described with reference to Figure 2 above. The controller 310 is operable to control the communications circuitry 205. In particular, the controller 310 is operable to cause the communications circuitry 205 to transmit signals to a remote control device 230, e.g. via BLE communication. For example, the controller 310 may be operable to send signals to the communications circuitry 205 to enable BLE communication with the remote control device 230. Additionally or alternatively, the controller 310 may be operable to receive signals from the communications circuitry 205. Such signals may be received via the communications circuitry 205 from the remote control device 230, for example.

[0085] In embodiments, the household appliance 100 comprises a display device 110, as described with reference to Figure 1 above. The controller 310 is operable to control the display device 110, e.g. to cause the display device 110 to display an output for a user. In embodiments, the controller 310 is operable to control the content displayed by the display device 110. For example, the controller 310 may be operable to cause predetermined content to be displayed or not displayed by the display device 110, and / or to adjust the content displayed by the display device 110.

[0086] In embodiments, the household appliance 100 comprises a door 140, as described with reference to Figure 1 above. In embodiments, the controller 310 is operable to receive a signal generated in response to a user opening and / or closing the door 140, e.g. by such an operation being sensed by sensor equipment. The controller 310 may be operable to control the household appliance 100 in response to receipt of such a signal.

[0087] In embodiments, the household appliance 100 comprises a user input device 320. The user input device 320 may, for example, at least partly be provided by a touch screen device forming part of the display device 110. The controller 310 is operable to receive signals generated in response to a user interacting with the user input device 320, e.g. by such an operation being sensed by one or more sensors. The controller 310 may be operable to control the appliance 100 in response to receipt of such a signal. In embodiments, the household appliance 100 comprises a heating element 330. The heating element 330 may, for example, be operable to convert electrical energy into heat. The heating element 330 may be controlled by a user of the household appliance, e.g. by activating the heating element 330 and / or setting a desired operating temperature of the household appliance 100. In embodiments, the controller 310 is operable to receive a signal generated in response to a user attempting to control the heating element 330, e.g. by such an operation being sensed by one or more sensors and / or being detected upon actuation of a user input device and / or communicated via the communication circuitry 205. The controller 310 may be operable to control the household appliance 100 in response to receipt of such a signal. In embodiments, the controller 310 is operable to control the heating element. For example, the controller 310 may be operable to apply energy (e.g. electrical energy) to the heating element 330, e.g. via one or more control signals generated by the controller 310.

[0088] In embodiments, the household appliance 100 comprises a timer 340. The timer 340 may be controlled by a user of the household appliance 100, e.g. to set a desired time after which an alarm may sound and / or operation of the household appliance 100 may start or stop. In embodiments, the controller 310 is operable to receive a signal generated in response to a user attempting to control the timer 340, e.g. by such an operation being sensed by one or more sensors and / or being detected upon actuation of a user input device and / or communicated via the communication circuitry 205. The controller 310 is operable to control the household appliance 100 in response to receipt of such a signal. In embodiments, the controller 310 is operable to control the timer 340, e.g. via one or more control signals generated by the controller 310.

[0089] In embodiments, the household appliance 100 also comprises one or more operating sensors 350. The one or more operating sensors 350 may be arranged to sense performance and / or operation of the household appliance 100. The one or more operating sensors 350 may comprise heat sensors, motion sensors, image sensors, etc. In embodiments, the one or more operating sensors 350 are configured to output sensor data to the controller 310, to enable the controller 310 to control the household appliance 100 on the basis of sensor data. As such, the controller 310 may be operable to receive sensor data (e.g. signals comprising the sensor data) from the one or more operating sensors 350. In embodiments, the controller 310 is operable to control the one or more operating sensors 350, e.g. via one or more control signals generated by the controller 310. The household appliance 100 also comprises a memory 360. The memory 360 is operable to store various data according to embodiments. The memory may comprise at least one volatile memory, at least one non-volatile memory, and / or at least one data storage unit. The volatile memory, non-volatile memory and / or data storage unit may be configured to store computer-readable information and / or instructions for use / execution by the controller 310.

[0090] The household appliance 100 may comprise more, fewer and / or different components in alternative embodiments. In particular, at least some of the components of the household appliance 100 shown in Figures 1, 2 and / or 3 may be omitted (e.g. may not be required) in some embodiments. For example, at least one of the display device 110, door 140, door opening mechanism 145, communications circuitry 205, user input device 320, heating element 330, timer 340, operating sensors 350 and memory 360 may be omitted in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the household appliance 100 does not comprise the controller 310 or at least some of the components of the controller 310. For example, the controller 310, or components of the controller, may be comprised in the remote control device 230 and / or in a further entity (e.g. a further household appliance, user device, etc.) that is capable of communicating with and optionally controlling the household appliance 100. The household appliance 100 may also comprise other components, in addition to or instead of for example the heating element, for realising the function(s) of the household appliance 100, such as one or more of the following components: a pump arrangement, a drum drive arrangement, a heatpump arrangement, condensers, compressors, motors, fans and / or ionisers. In embodiments, the controller 310 is operable to receive a signal generated in response to a user attempting to control such components, for example by selection of a particular household appliance program or cycle. Such a selection, or attempted control by other means, may be sensed by one or more sensors and / or detected upon actuation of a user input device and / or communicated via the communication circuitry 205. The controller 310 may be operable to control the household appliance 100 in response to receipt of such a signal. In embodiments, the controller 310 is operable to control the components for realising the function(s) of the household appliance via one or more control signals generated by the controller 310.

[0091] Figure 4 shows a method 400 of operating a household appliance, according to embodiments. The method 400 may be used to operate the household appliance 100 described above with reference to Figures 1 to 3. The household appliance 100 is operable to be controlled via a remote control device 230. The household appliance 100 comprises BLE communications circuitry 205 operable to transmit and / or receive BLE signals. In embodiments, the method 400 is performed at least in part by the controller 310 of the household appliance 100. That is, the controller 310 is configured to perform at least some of the steps of the method 400. In alternative embodiments, the method 400 is performed at least in part by a controller that is separate from the household appliance 100. For example, the method 400 may be performed at least in part by a controller of the remote control device 230. In alternative embodiments, some of the steps of the method 400 are performed by the controller 310 of the household appliance 100 and some other steps of the method 400 are performed by a controller of the remote control device 230.

[0092] In step 410, a position of the remote control device 230 relative to the household appliance 100 is determined. The determining is based on a measurement of an angle of arrival, AoA, and / or an angle of departure, AoD, of one or more BLE signals transmitted between the household appliance 100 and the remote control device 230.

[0093] In step 420, based on the determined position, the household appliance 100 is controlled to perform an operating activity of the household appliance 100.

[0094] As such, operation of the household appliance 100 is controlled on the basis of a determined position of the remote control device 230 relative to the appliance 100. This is in contrast to known methods in which a remote control device controls an appliance through use of user input means provided on the remote control device (e.g. one or more buttons, a touchscreen interface, etc.). The remote control device 230 as described herein may, optionally, include such user input means. However, the remote control device 230 is able to control the household appliance 100 without such user input means, based on the position and / or movement of the remote control device 230 relative to the appliance 100.

[0095] In particular, the position of the remote control device 230 relative to the appliance 100 is determined based on AoA and / or AoD measurements of BLE signals transmitted between the appliance 100 and the remote control device 230 (e.g. from the appliance 100 to the remote control device 230, from the remote control device 230 to the appliance 100, or both). This provides a more precise, accurate and / or reliable measure of the relative position of the remote control device 230 compared to methods which are not based on AoA and / or AoD measurements of BLE signals. For example, the relative position of the remote control device 230 may be determined with a finer granularity (that is, greater precision and / or accuracy) than would be the case if AoA and / or AoD measurements were not used.

[0096] Moreover, the household appliance 100 and the remote control device 230 may already be equipped with BLE communications circuitry. In particular, the remote control device 230 may have existing BLE connectivity used for the primary function of the remote control device 230. For example, the remote control device 230 may comprise an accessory having one or more sensors for sensing an operating parameter (e.g. temperature) of the appliance 100. Such sensed data may be communicated by the accessory 230 to the appliance 100 via BLE signals. The same BLE connection may then be used for determining the position of the remote control device 230 relative to the household appliance 100. As such, the methods described herein may exploit an existing BLE connection between the household appliance 100 and the remote control device 230, thus avoiding the need for additional communication channels and / or user input means to be introduced.

[0097] In embodiments, the remote control device 230 comprises a MEMS sensor configured to generate MEMS sensor data indicative of movement of the remote control device 230. In such embodiments, the controlling of the household appliance 100 performed at step 420 is dependent on the movement of the remote control device 230 indicated by the MEMS sensor data. Using MEMS sensor data in addition to AoA / AoD measurements may increase the accuracy and / or precision with which the position and / or movement of the remote control device 230 is determined.

[0098] In embodiments, the determining the position of the remote control device 230 performed at step 410 is further based on a measurement of a signal strength of the one or more BLE signals transmitted between the household appliance 100 and the remote control device 230. The measurement of the signal strength may comprise a received signal strength indicator, RSSI, for example. Using a measurement of signal strength in addition to AoA / AoD measurements may increase the accuracy and / or reliability with which the position of the remote control device 230 is determined, e.g. in estimating a distance between the remote control device 230 and the appliance 100.

[0099] In embodiments, for example where the method 400 is performed at least in part by the controller 310 of the household appliance 100, the household appliance 100 is configured to receive the one or more BLE signals from the remote control device 230. In embodiments, the BLE communications circuitry 205 comprises an array of antennae for receiving the one or more BLE signals from the remote control device 230. This enables the household appliance 100 to perform an Ao A measurement of BLE signals received from the remote control device 230. Alternatively, the remote control device 230 may perform AoD measurements of BLE signals transmitted from the household appliance 100. In alternative embodiments, the remote control device 230 comprises an array of antennae, whereas the household appliance 100 does not comprise an array of antennae.

[0100] In embodiments, the operating activity comprises controlling a heating element of the household appliance 100. As such, the heating element of the household appliance 100 may be controlled on the basis of the position of the remote control device 230 relative to the appliance 100. For example, the heating element may be activated or de-activated, or an amount of power supplied to the heating element may be increased or decreased, e.g. to increase or decrease a target operating temperature of the appliance 100.

[0101] In embodiments, the operating activity comprises controlling a user interface of the household appliance 100. As such, the user interface of the appliance 100 may be controlled on the basis of the position of the remote control device 230 relative to the appliance 100. For example, the user interface may be activated or de-activated. Additionally or alternatively, movement of the remote control device 230 relative to the appliance 100 may cause a displayed menu on the user interface to be navigated, and / or for one or more displayed settings to be selected. This may be achieved through use of predefined gestures performed by the user and the remote control device 230, as described below.

[0102] In embodiments, the operating activity comprises enabling a remote control mode of the household appliance 100. As such, the remote control mode may be enabled on the basis of the position of the remote control device 230 relative to the appliance 100. This avoids a user having to enable the remote control mode by interacting with the appliance 100 directly. In embodiments where the remote control device 230 and / or the appliance 100 comprises a user output device (such as a display device or speaker), the user output device may provide an output to notify the user that the remote control mode of the appliance 100 has been enabled. Thus, if the user has enabled the remote control mode unintentionally (e.g. by holding the remote control device 230 in a given position for a given amount of time) the user may be informed of such and may act to disable the remote control mode accordingly. In alternative embodiments, the operating activity comprises disabling a remote control mode of the household appliance 100.

[0103] In embodiments, the household appliance 100 is controlled to perform a plurality of operating activities. For example, a remote control mode may first be enabled (a first operating activity), and subsequently a heating element may be activated (a second operating activity), and finally the remote control mode may be disabled (a third operating activity). Each of the operating activities is performed on the basis of the determined position (or multiple positions) of the remote control device 230 relative to the appliance 100.

[0104] In embodiments, the controlling of the household appliance 100 to perform the operating activity at step 420 comprises transmitting a remote control signal to the household appliance 100. In embodiments, the remote control signal is a BLE signal transmitted to the BLE communications circuitry 205 of the household appliance 100. Such a BLE signal may be transmitted from the remote control device 230. As such, the remote control device 230 may be configured to determine its own position relative to the appliance 100, and to send control signals to control the appliance 100 accordingly. The control signal may comprise a command for the appliance 100 to perform a particular action, or alternatively the control signal may comprise position data indicative of the position of the remote control device 230, on the basis of which the appliance 100 itself determines the corresponding action to be performed. That is, the remote control device 230 may act as a slave to the appliance 100, sending the appliance 100 position data for interpretation and / or processing by the appliance 100, without sending the appliance 100 actual commands. In other words, the remote control device 230 may control the appliance 100 directly, by sending commands which are dependent on the determined position of the remote control device 230, and / or indirectly, by sending the determined position of the remote control device 230 to the appliance 100 to cause the appliance 100 to perform a particular action. In alternative embodiments, the remote control signal is not a BLE signal. For example, the remote control signal may be generated by a remote server and received at the household appliance 100 via a Wi-Fi unit. The remote server may generate such a control signal based on the determined position of the remote control device 230 relative to the appliance 100. The determined position of the remote control device may, for example, be communicated to the server by the appliance 100. Alternatively, in embodiments when the remote control device has further communication circuitry to enable communication with a remote server independently of the communication with the appliance, such as when the remote control device is a personal device, the determined position may be communicated to the server not via the appliance but via another device, such as via gateway apparatus including, for example, a home Wi-Fi router. In alternative embodiments, controlling the household appliance 100 to perform the operating activity does not involve the transmitting of a remote control signal. For example, the appliance 100 may determine the position of the remote control device 230 and control its own operation accordingly, without the use of remote control signals. In embodiments, the method 400 comprises determining, based on the measurement of the AoA and / or the AoD, that the remote control device 230 is located in a predefined zone of an environment of the household appliance 100. In some such embodiments, the controlling of the household appliance 100 to perform the operating activity at step 420 is in response to the determining that the remote control device 230 is located in the predefined zone. The predefined zone may be referred to as an ‘activation zone’. In embodiments, the predefined zone extends in a given direction from the household appliance 100 to an outer boundary that is set at a predefined distance from the household appliance 100. The predefined distance may for example be 20 centimetres, 50 centimetres, or 1 metre, etc. Additionally or alternatively, the predefined zone may extend in a given direction from an inner boundary (set at a first predefined distance from the household appliance 100, e.g. 20 centimetres) to an outer boundary (set at a second predefined distance from the household appliance 100, e.g. 50 centimetres). In embodiments, the predefined zone does not extend in every direction around the household appliance 100. For example, the predefined zone may include a region in front of the appliance 100, but not a region behind or to the sides of the appliance 100. As such, in some embodiments, the household appliance 100 does not perform the operating activity if the remote control device 230 is not located in the predefined zone. This may prevent unintentional remote control of the appliance 100, for example when the remote control device 230 is moved far away from the appliance 100.

[0105] In embodiments, the controlling of the household appliance 100 to perform the operating activity at step 420 is in response to a determination that the remote control device 230 has been located in the predefined zone for a predetermined time period. The predetermined time period may be referred to as an ‘activation time window’. The predetermined time period may comprise, for example, 3 seconds, 4 seconds, 5 seconds, etc. As such, in some embodiments, the household appliance 100 does not perform the operating activity if the remote control device 230 is in the predefined zone for less than the predetermined time period. This may prevent unintentional remote control of the appliance 100, for example when the remote control device 230 is moved into the predefined zone only momentarily.

[0106] In embodiments, the method 400 comprises determining, based on the measurement of the AoA and / or the AoD, a distance between the remote control device 230 and the household appliance 100. In some such embodiments, the controlling of the household appliance 100 to perform the operating activity at step 420 is based on the determined distance. For example, the operating activity may be performed if the determined distance is less than a predetermined threshold, and may not be performed if the determined distance is greater than the predetermined threshold. As such, the appliance 100 may be remotely controlled only when it is determined that a user is in relatively close proximity to the appliance 100 and is therefore able to oversee operation of the appliance 100. This improves safety and / or security compared to a case in which the appliance 100 may be remotely controlled without the presence of a user.

[0107] In embodiments, the method 400 comprises determining, based on the measurement of the AoA and / or the AoD, a change in the position of the remote control device 230 relative to the household appliance 100. In some such embodiments, the controlling of the household appliance 100 to perform the operating activity at step 420 is based on the determined change. A given change in position (e.g. from a first position relative to the appliance 100 to a second position relative to the appliance 100) may be associated with a given operating activity of the appliance 100. For example, a first change in position may cause a heating element of the appliance 100 to be activated, whereas a second, different, change in position may cause a menu to be displayed on a display device of the appliance 100.

[0108] In embodiments, the method 400 comprises determining, based on the measurement of the AoA and / or the AoD, a movement of the remote control device 230 relative to the household appliance 100. In some such embodiments, the controlling of the household appliance 100 to perform the operating activity at step 420 is based on the determined movement. Accordingly, the appliance 100 may be controlled not only on the basis of the position of the remote control device 230 relative to the appliance 100, but also on the basis of movement of the remote control device 230 relative to the appliance 100. The determined movement may be a movement between two specific endpoints, or alternatively may be a particular movement (e.g. movement in a given direction) between any arbitrary endpoints. This may enable a greater range of possible remote control operations compared to a case in which movement of the remote control device 230 is not determined or taken into account. For example, movement of the remote control device 230 in a first direction (or between two first endpoints) may be associated with a first remote control operation, movement of the remote control device 230 in a second direction (or between two second endpoints) may be associated with a second remote control operation, and an absence of movement of the remote control device 230 may be associated with a third remote control operation.

[0109] In embodiments, the controlling of the household appliance 100 to perform the operating activity at step 420 is based on a comparison between the determined movement and a predefined gesture performed by a user and the remote control device 230. The predefined gesture may be associated with the operating activity of the appliance 100 to be performed. Different predefined gestures may be associated with different remote control operations of the appliance 100. This enables a greater range of possible remote control operations compared to a case in which predefined gestures are not used. Predefined gestures (and their corresponding remote control operations) may be stored in a database. When movement of the remote control device 230 is determined, the database may be queried (e.g. by the remote control device 230 or the appliance 100) to determine the remote control operation that is to be performed based on the movement. The movement may be matched to one of the predefined gestures stored in the database, for example. Such a database may be stored on the household appliance 100, the remote control device, or on another entity, e.g. a server. Examples of predefined gestures include rotating the remote control device 230 about a given axis, moving the remote control device 230 in a given direction, moving the remote control device 230 with a given speed, etc. A predefined gesture may comprise a single motion or a sequence of motions to be performed. In alternative embodiments, determined movement of the remote control device 230 is not compared to a predefined gesture.

[0110] In embodiments, the determined position is a first position, and the controlling of the household appliance 100 to perform the operating activity at step 420 comprises enabling a remote control mode of the household appliance 100. In some such embodiments, the method 400 comprises further determining that the remote control device 230 has moved from the first position to a second position relative to the household appliance 100. The further determining is based on a measurement of an Ao A and / or an AoD of one or more further BLE signals transmitted between the household appliance 100 and the remote control device 230. Based on the further determining, the household appliance 100 may be controlled to perform a further operating activity of the household appliance 100. The further operating activity is different from the first operating activity, e.g. enabling the remote control mode. The further operating activity may comprise controlling a heating element of the household appliance 100, for example. As such, the determined position (or multiple positions) of the remote control device 230 may be used firstly to enable the remote control mode of the appliance 100, and secondly to perform a remote control operation on the appliance 100. By first requiring a remote control mode of the appliance 100 to be enabled (based on a determined position of the remote control device 230), the likelihood of unintentional remote control operations being performed is reduced. In alternative embodiments, the appliance 100 is operable to be controlled remotely regardless of whether or not a remote control mode is enabled.

[0111] In embodiments, a remote control mode of the household appliance 100 is disabled in response to determining an absence of movement of the remote control device 230 for a predetermined time period. For example, a user may put the remote control device 230 down and leave the environment of the appliance 100. In such a scenario, the remote control mode may be disabled so as to prevent the appliance 100 being operated without supervision. Additionally or alternatively, the remote control mode may be disabled in response to a determination that the remote control device 230 is at a distance from the household appliance 100 that is greater than a predetermined threshold. Such a determination may indicate that the user (carrying the remote control device 230) has left the environment of the appliance 100, for example, and thus the remote control mode should be disabled.

[0112] Figure 5 shows a method 500 of operating a household appliance, according to embodiments. The method 500 may be used to operate the household appliance 100 described above with reference to Figures 1 to 3. The household appliance 100 is operable, when a remote control mode of the household appliance 100 is enabled, to be controlled via a remote control device 230. In embodiments, the method 500 is performed at least in part by the controller 310 of the household appliance 100. That is, the controller 310 is configured to perform at least some of the steps of the method 500. In alternative embodiments, the method 500 is performed at least in part by a controller that is separate from the household appliance 100. For example, the method 500 may be performed at least in part by a controller of the remote control device 230. In alternative embodiments, some of the steps of the method 500 are performed by the controller 310 of the household appliance 100 and some other steps of the method 500 are performed by a controller of the remote control device 230.

[0113] In step 510, first sensor data is received from sensor equipment. The first sensor data indicates that the remote control device 230 is at a first position relative to the household appliance 100.

[0114] In step 520, in response to receiving the first sensor data, the household appliance 100 is controlled to enable the remote control mode of the household appliance 100.

[0115] In step 530, second sensor data is received from the sensor equipment. The second sensor data indicates movement of the remote control device 230. In embodiments, the second sensor data indicates movement of the remote control device 230 relative to the first position. Additionally or alternatively, the second sensor data may indicate movement of the remote control device 230 relative to a second position, different than the first position.

[0116] In step 540, in response to receiving the second sensor data, the household appliance 100 is controlled to perform an operating activity of the household appliance 100.

[0117] As such, a two-stage remote control process is provided. In a first stage, the remote control mode of the household appliance 100 is enabled in response to a determination that the remote control device 230 is at a particular position relative to the household appliance 100 (e.g. within a predefined zone of the environment of the household appliance 100, within a predefined distance of the household appliance 100, etc.). Then, in a second stage, operation of the household appliance 100 is controlled based on sensed movement of the remote control device 230.

[0118] In embodiments, the sensor equipment comprises BLE sensor equipment configured to measure an Ao A and / or an AoD of BLE signals. As such, the position and / or movement of the remote control device 230 may be determined using measurements of AoA and / or AoD of BLE signals transmitted between the appliance 100 and the remote control device 230. In alternative embodiments, the sensor equipment does not comprise BLE sensor equipment. In embodiments, the household appliance 100 comprises the sensor equipment. In alternative embodiments, the sensor equipment is arranged separately from the household appliance 100.

[0119] In embodiments, the household appliance 100 is controlled to perform the operating activity based on a comparison between the movement of the remote control device 230 indicated by the second sensor data and a predefined gesture performed by a user and the remote control device 230. Such a comparison may comprise querying a database storing the predefined gestures and / or remote control operations corresponding to the predefined gestures. As such, movement data is compared against stored gesture data to determine a remote control operation associated with a particular gesture. The gesture data may be stored on the appliance 100, on the remote control device 230, or on a further entity such as a server.

[0120] In embodiments, the remote control device 230 comprises a MEMS sensor configured to sense movement of the remote control device 230. In such embodiments, the controlling of the household appliance 100 at step 540 is dependent on the movement of the remote control device 230 sensed using the MEMS sensor.

[0121] Figures 6A to 6C show schematically a system 600 at three stages of operation, according to embodiments. The system 600 comprises the household appliance 100 and the remote control device 230 described above. In the embodiments shown in Figures 6A to 6C, the household appliance 100 comprises a hob having four cooking zones 610, 620, 630, 640, and the remote control device 230 comprises a cooking thermometer. Each of the four cooking zones 610, 620, 630, 640 is independently controllable. The hob 100 and the cooking thermometer 230 are configured to communicate BLE signals with each other.

[0122] At a first stage of operation, shown in Figure 6A, the cooking thermometer 230 is at a predetermined location relative to the hob 100. The predetermined location is a location within an ‘activation region’ of the environment of the hob 100. The activation region may extend in a given direction from the hob 100 to an outer boundary that is set at a predefined distance from the hob 100, for example. The predefined distance may be 50 centimetres, 1 metre, etc. In some cases, the activation region includes a region in front of the hob 100, but not a region behind or to the sides of the hob 100. In response to determining that the cooking thermometer 230 is in the activation region, and optionally has been in the activation region for a predetermined time period (e.g. 3, 4 or 5 seconds), a remote control mode of the hob 100 is enabled. The location of the cooking thermometer 230 relative to the hob 100 may be determined based on AoA / AoD measurements of BLE signals transmitted between the cooking thermometer 230 and the hob 100, as described above. Additionally or alternatively, the location may be determined using an image sensor, an acoustic sensor, a proximity sensor, etc.

[0123] At a second stage of operation, shown in Figure 6B, the cooking thermometer 230 is moved from its initial position (shown in Figure 6A) to a new position in the vicinity of a first cooking zone 610 of the hob 100. The new position may be within the activation region of the hob or may be outside of the activation region of the hob. The new position is within a control region of the first cooking zone 610. The control region of the first cooking zone 610 is a region in the vicinity of the first cooking zone 610 within which the cooking thermometer 230 may be used to control the first cooking zone 610. The control region of the first cooking zone 610 may, for example, extend in a given direction from a reference position associated with the first cooking zone 610 to an outer boundary that is set at a predefined distance from the reference position. Movement of the cooking thermometer 230 into the control region of the first cooking zone 610 (e.g. towards the reference position associated with the first cooking zone 610) is determined, on the basis of which the first cooking zone 610 is controlled. For example, a heating element of the first cooking zone 610 may be controlled to activate the first cooking zone 610. The movement of the cooking thermometer 230 from its initial position (shown in Figure 6 A) to the new position (shown in Figure 6B) may be determined based on AoA / AoD measurements of BLE signals transmitted between the cooking thermometer 230 and the hob 100, and / or based on MEMS sensor data generated by a MEMS sensor (e.g. comprising an accelerometer and / or a gyroscope) arranged in the cooking thermometer 230.

[0124] At a third stage of operation, shown in Figure 6C, the cooking thermometer 230 is moved from its previous position (in the control region of the first cooking zone 610) to a new position in the vicinity of a second cooking zone 630. The new position may be within a control region of the second cooking zone 630. The control region of the second cooking zone 630 is a region in the vicinity of the second cooking zone 630 within which the cooking thermometer 230 may be used to control the second cooking zone 630. The control region of the second cooking zone 630 may, for example, extend in a given direction from a reference position associated with the second cooking zone 630 to an outer boundary that is set at a predefined distance from the reference position. The control region of the second cooking zone 630 may at least partially overlap with the control region of the first cooking zone 610, or may be separate from, in the sense that it does not overlap, the control region of the first cooking zone 610. Movement of the cooking thermometer 230 into the control region of the second cooking zone 630 (e.g. away from the reference position associated with the first cooking zone 610 and towards the reference position associated with the second cooking zone 630) is determined, on the basis of which the second cooking zone 630 is activated and the first cooking zone 610 is de-activated. Accordingly, operation of the hob 100 is controlled based on changes in the position of the cooking thermometer 230 relative to the hob 100 and / or movement of the cooking thermometer 230. In alternative embodiments, at least some of the cooking zones 610, 620, 630, 640 have a common control region, e.g. a region within which the cooking thermometer 230 may be used to control multiple cooking zones.

[0125] Figure 7A and 7B show schematically a system 700 at two stages of operation, according to embodiments. The components of the system 700 are similar to the components of the system 600 described above with reference to Figures 6A to 6B, and therefore similar reference numerals are used.

[0126] At a first stage of operation, shown in Figure 7A, the cooking thermometer 230 is at a first position in the control region of the first cooking zone 610. On the basis of the cooking thermometer 230 being at the first position, and / or of the cooking thermometer 230 moving to the first position from an initial position, the first cooking zone 610 is activated.

[0127] At a second stage of operation, shown in Figure 7B, the cooking thermometer 230 is rotated by 360 degrees about a given axis. This is depicted with an arrow in Figure 7B. After the rotation, the cooking thermometer 230 is still at the first position, in the control region of the first cooking zone 610. The rotation of the cooking thermometer 230 is detected, on the basis of which a power level and / or target temperature of the first cooking zone 610 is increased. That is, the first cooking zone 610 is changed from a low heat setting to a high heat setting, based on the rotation of the cooking thermometer 230. The rotation may be determined based on AoA / AoD measurements of BLE signals transmitted between the cooking thermometer 230 and the hob 100, and / or based on MEMS sensor data generated by a MEMS sensor arranged in the cooking thermometer 230.

[0128] Rotating the cooking thermometer 230 by 360 degrees is an example of a predefined gesture performed by a user and the cooking thermometer 230 (that is, a gesture performed using the cooking thermometer 230). A measured movement of the cooking thermometer 230 is compared to the predefined gesture (and optionally also to other predefined gestures) to determine a control operation for the hob 100. Other examples of predefined gestures include moving the cooking thermometer 230 up or down, from side to side, in a circular motion, etc. Different predefined gestures may thus be used to perform different control operations on the hob 100.

[0129] Figure 8 shows schematically a system 800 according to embodiments. The system 800 comprises the remote control device 230 as described above. The system 800 also comprises a plurality of household appliances, including a dishwasher 810, a hob 820, an extractor hood 825, an oven 830 and a refrigerator 840. Each of the household appliances 810, 820, 825, 830, 840 is an example of a household appliance such as the household appliance 100 described above.

[0130] In the embodiments shown in Figure 8, the remote control device 230 is operable to remotely control each of the appliances 810, 820, 825, 830, 840 in the system 800. The remote control device 230 may have a primary function that is associated with operation of a given one of the appliances 810, 820, 825, 830, 840. For example, the remote control device 230 may comprise a cooking thermometer, the primary function of which involves interoperation with the hob 820. However, the remote control device 230 can also be used to remotely control, for example, the dishwasher 810, despite the primary function of the remote control device 230 being unrelated to operation of the dishwasher 810. For each of the appliances 810, 820, 825, 830, 840, remote control may be based on AoA / AoD measurements of BLE signals transmitted between the remote control device 230 and the respective appliance, in a similar manner as that described above. For example, movement of the remote control device 230 may be measured and used to control a user interface of a given appliance, e.g. to navigate a displayed menu of settings and / or to select a displayed setting. Accordingly, the utility of the remote control device 230 is improved, since it may be used to control multiple different appliances (and optionally appliances of different types).

[0131] Figure 9 shows a schematic block diagram of the remote control device 230, according to embodiments.

[0132] In the embodiments shown in Figure 9, the remote control device comprises a controller 910. The controller 910 is operable to perform various data processing and / or control functions. The controller 910 may be implemented in a similar manner as the controller 310 of the household appliance 100 described above. The controller 910 may comprise one or more components. The one or more components may be implemented in hardware and / or software. The one or more components may be co-located or may be located remotely from each other in the remote control device 230. The controller 910 may be embodied as one or more software functions and / or hardware modules. In embodiments, the controller 910 comprises one or more processors configured to process instructions and / or data. Operations performed by the one or more processors may be carried out by hardware and / or software. The controller 910 may be configured to implement at least some of the methods described herein. In embodiments, the controller 910 is operable to output control signals for controlling one or more components of the remote control device 230. In embodiments, the controller 910 is operable to receive signals from one or more components of the remote control device, and to control one or more components of the remote control device 230 based on such received signals.

[0133] In the embodiments shown in Figure 9, the remote control device 230 comprises wireless communications circuitry 235, such as BLE communications circuitry, as described with reference to Figure 2 above. The controller 910 is operable to control the wireless communications circuitry 235. In particular, the controller 910 is operable to cause the wireless communications circuitry 235 to transmit signals to a household appliance, e.g. via BLE communication. For example, the controller 910 may be operable to send signals to the wireless communications circuitry 235 to enable BLE communication with the household appliance 100. Additionally or alternatively, the controller 910 may be operable to receive signals from the wireless communications circuitry 235. Such signals may be received via the wireless communications circuitry 235 from the household appliance 100, for example.

[0134] In the embodiments shown in Figure 9, the remote control device 230 comprises a MEMS sensor 950. The MEMS sensor 950 is configured to generate MEMS sensor data indicative of movement of the remote control device 230. The MEMS sensor 950 may comprise an accelerometer, a gyroscope and / or an inertial measurement unit. The controller 910 may be operable to receive MEMS sensor data from the MEMS sensor 950 and may control the remote control device 230 and / or the household appliance 100 accordingly. In embodiments, the controller 910 is configured to cause the MEMS sensor data to be sent to the household appliance 100 via the wireless communications circuity 235, to enable control of the household appliance 100 based on the MEMS sensor data.

[0135] In the embodiments shown in Figure 9, the remote control device 230 also comprises a memory 960. The memory 960 is operable to store various data according to embodiments. The memory may comprise at least one volatile memory, at least one non-volatile memory, and / or at least one data storage unit. The volatile memory, non-volatile memory and / or data storage unit may be configured to store computer-readable information and / or instructions for use / execution by the controller 910.

[0136] It will be understood that the remote control device 230 may comprise more, fewer and / or different components in other embodiments. For example, the MEMS sensor 950 may be omitted in some embodiments.

[0137] It is to be understood that any feature described in relation to any one embodiment and / or aspect may be used alone, or in combination with other features described, and may also be used in combination with one or more features of any other of the embodiments and / or aspects, or any combination of any other of the embodiments and / or aspects.

[0138] In embodiments, the household appliance 100 determines the position of the remote control device 230 relative to the household appliance 100. Additionally or alternatively, the remote control device 230 may determine its own position relative to the household appliance 100. In alternative embodiments, both the household appliance 100 and the remote control device 230 are configured to determine the position of the remote control device 230 relative to the appliance 100. This may result in an increased accuracy and / or reliability compared to a case in which only the appliance 100 or only the remote control device 230 determines the position, because each entity may share its position measurements with the other, thereby reinforcing and / or correcting the measurements of each entity.

[0139] In embodiments of the present disclosure, the household appliance 100 comprises a controller 310. The controller 310 may be configured to perform various methods described herein. Additionally or alternatively, the methods described herein may be performed by a controller comprised in an entity other than the household appliance 100, e.g. the remote control device 230. In either case, the controller may comprise a processing system. Such a processing system may comprise one or more processors and / or memory. Each device, component, or function as described in relation to any of the examples described herein, for example the remote control device 230 and communications unit 205, may similarly comprise a processor or may be comprised in apparatus comprising a processor. One or more aspects of the embodiments described herein comprise processes performed by apparatus. In some examples, the apparatus comprises one or more processors configured to carry out these processes. In this regard, embodiments may be implemented at least in part by computer software stored in (non-transitory) memory and executable by the processor, or by hardware, or by a combination of tangibly stored software and hardware (and tangibly stored firmware). Embodiments also extend to computer programs, particularly computer programs on or in a carrier, adapted for putting the above described embodiments into practice.

[0140] The one or more processors of processing systems may comprise a central processing unit (CPU). The one or more processors may comprise a graphics processing unit (GPU). The one or more processors may comprise one or more of a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic device (PLD), or a complex programmable logic device (CPLD). The one or more processors may comprise an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). It will be appreciated by the skilled person that many other types of device, in addition to the examples provided, may be used to provide the one or more processors. The one or more processors may comprise multiple co-located processors or multiple disparately located processors. Operations performed by the one or more processors may be carried out by one or more of hardware, firmware, and software. It will be appreciated that processing systems may comprise more, fewer and / or different components from those described.

[0141] The techniques described herein may be implemented in software or hardware, or may be implemented using a combination of software and hardware. They may include configuring an apparatus to carry out and / or support any or all of techniques described herein. Although at least some aspects of the examples described herein with reference to the drawings comprise computer processes performed in processing systems or processors, examples described herein also extend to computer programs, as already indicated above, for example computer programs on or in a carrier, adapted for putting the examples into practice. The carrier may be any entity or device capable of carrying the program. The carrier may comprise a computer readable storage media. Examples of tangible computer-readable storage media include, but are not limited to, an optical medium (e.g., CD-ROM, DVD-ROM or Blu-ray), flash memory card, hard disk or any other medium capable of storing computer-readable instructions such as firmware or microcode in at least one ROM or RAM or Programmable ROM (PROM) chips.

[0142] Where in the foregoing description, integers or elements are mentioned which have known, obvious or foreseeable equivalents, then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth. Reference should be made to the claims for determining the true scope of the present disclosure, which should be construed so as to encompass any such equivalents. It will also be appreciated by the reader that integers or features of the present disclosure that are described as preferable, advantageous, convenient or the like are optional and do not limit the scope of the independent claims. Moreover, it is to be understood that such optional integers or features, whilst of possible benefit in some embodiments of the present disclosure, may not be desirable, and may therefore be absent, in other embodiments.

Claims

Claims1. A system comprising: a household appliance operable to be controlled via a remote control device, the household appliance comprising Bluetooth™ Low Energy, BLE, communications circuitry operable to transmit and / or receive BLE signals; and one or more controllers configured to: determine a position of the remote control device relative to the household appliance, wherein the determining is based on a measurement of an angle of arrival, AoA, and / or an angle of departure, AoD, of one or more BLE signals transmitted between the household appliance and the remote control device; and based on the determined position, control the household appliance to perform an operating activity of the household appliance.

2. A system according to claim 1 , wherein the system comprises the remote control device.

3. A system according to claim 2, wherein the remote control device comprises an accessory of the household appliance, the accessory being configured to interoperate with the household appliance to provide one or more enhanced functions of the household appliance.

4. A system according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the remote control device comprises a constrained device.

5. A system according to any of claims 2 to 4, wherein the remote control device comprises an end device.

6. A system according to any of claims 2 to 5, wherein the remote control device comprises single wireless communications circuitry configured to transmit BLE signals to the household appliance and / or receive BLE signals from the household appliance.

7. A system according to any of claims 2 to 6, wherein the remote control device is configured to communicate data with the household appliance, the data having a proprietary data format of a manufacturer of the household appliance.

8. A system according to any of claims 2 to 7, wherein the remote control device comprises an appliance operating parameter sensor for sensing an operating parameter of the household appliance.

9. A system according to any of claims 2 to 8, wherein the remote control device comprises a wireless temperature sensor, a utensil, a kitchen scales, a wireless control device and / or an air quality sensor.

10. A system according to any of claims 2 to 9, wherein the remote control device comprises a microelectromechanical systems, MEMS, sensor configured to generate MEMS sensor data indicative of movement of the remote control device, and wherein the controlling the household appliance to perform the operating activity is dependent on the movement of the remote control device indicated by the MEMS sensor data.

11. A system according to claim 10, wherein the MEMS sensor comprises an accelerometer, a gyroscope and / or an inertial measurement unit.

12. A system according to claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the remote control device is configured to transmit the MEMS sensor data to the household appliance.

13. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the determining the position of the remote control device is further based on a measurement of a signal strength of the one or more BLE signals transmitted between the household appliance and the remote control device.

14. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the household appliance comprises the controller.

15. A system according to claim 14, wherein the household appliance is configured to receive the one or more BLE signals from the remote control device.

16. A system according to claim 15, wherein the BLE communications circuity comprises an array of antennae for receiving the one or more BLE signals from the remote control device.

17. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the operating activity comprises controlling a heating element of the household appliance.

18. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the operating activity comprises controlling a user interface of the household appliance.

19. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the operating activity comprises enabling a remote control mode of the household appliance.

20. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the controlling the household appliance to perform the operating activity comprises transmitting a remote control signal to the household appliance.

21. A system according to claim 20, wherein the remote control signal is a BLE signal transmitted to the BLE communications circuitry of the household appliance.

22. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the controller is configured to: based on the measurement of the AoA and / or the AoD, determine that the remote control device is located in a predefined zone of an environment of the household appliance; and control the household appliance to perform the operating activity in response to the determining that the remote control device is located in the predefined zone.

23. A system according to claim 22, wherein the controller is configured to control the household appliance to perform the operating activity in response to a determination that the remote control device has been located in the predefined zone for a predetermined time period.

24. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the controller is configured to: based on the measurement of the Ao A and / or the AoD, determine a distance between the remote control device and the household appliance; and control the household appliance to perform the operating activity based on the determined distance.

25. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the controller is configured to: based on the measurement of the AoA and / or the AoD, determine a change in the position of the remote control device relative to the household appliance, and control the household appliance to perform the operating activity based on the determined change.

26. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the controller is configured to: based on the measurement of the AoA and / or the AoD, determine a movement of the remote control device relative to the household appliance, and control the household appliance to perform the operating activity based on the determined movement.

27. A system according to claim 26, wherein the controller is configured to control the household appliance to perform the operating activity based on a comparison between the determined movement and a predefined gesture performed by a user and the remote control device.

28. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the determined position is a first position, wherein the controlling the household appliance to perform the operating activity comprises enabling a remote control mode of the household appliance, and wherein the controller is configured to: further determine that the remote control device has moved from the first position to a second position relative to the household appliance, wherein the further determining is based on a measurement of an angle of arrival, AoA, and / or an angle of departure, AoD, of one or more further BLE signals transmitted between the household appliance and the remote control device; andbased on the further determining, control the household appliance to perform a further operating activity of the household appliance.

29. A method of operating a household appliance, the household appliance operable to be controlled via a remote control device, the household appliance comprising Bluetooth™ Low Energy, BLE, communications circuitry operable to transmit and / or receive BLE signals, the method comprising: determining a position of the remote control device relative to the household appliance, wherein the determining is based on a measurement of an angle of arrival, AoA, and / or an angle of departure, AoD, of one or more BLE signals transmitted between the household appliance and the remote control device; and based on the determined position, controlling the household appliance to perform an operating activity of the household appliance.

30. A remote control device for controlling a household appliance, the remote control device comprising:Bluetooth™ Low Energy, BLE, communications circuitry operable to transmit and / or receive BLE signals; and a controller configured to: determine a position of the remote control device relative to the household appliance, wherein the determining is based on a measurement of an angle of arrival, AoA, and / or an angle of departure, AoD, of one or more BLE signals transmitted between the household appliance and the remote control device; and based on the determined position, control the household appliance to perform an operating activity of the household appliance.

31. A system comprising: a household appliance operable, when a remote control mode of the household appliance is enabled, to be controlled via a remote control device; sensor equipment operable to generate sensor data indicative of a position of the remote control device relative to the household appliance; and a controller configured to:receive first sensor data from the sensor equipment, the first sensor data indicating that the remote control device is at a first position relative to the household appliance; in response to receiving the first sensor data, control the household appliance to enable the remote control mode of the household appliance; receive second sensor data from the sensor equipment, the second sensor data indicating movement of the remote control device; and in response to receiving the second sensor data, control the household appliance to perform an operating activity of the household appliance.

32. A system according to claim 31, wherein the sensor equipment comprises Bluetooth Low Energy, BLE, sensor equipment configured to measure an angle of arrival, AoA, and / or an angle of departure, AoD, of BLE signals.

33. A system according to claim 31 or claim 32, wherein the household appliance comprises the sensor equipment.

34. A system according to any of claims 31 to 33, wherein the household appliance comprises the controller.

35. A system according to any of claims 31 to 34, wherein the controller is configured to control the household appliance to perform the operating activity based on a comparison between the movement of the remote control device indicated by the second sensor data and a predefined gesture performed by a user and the remote control device.

36. A system according to any of claims 31 to 35, wherein the remote control device comprises an accessory of the household appliance, the accessory being configured to interoperate with the household appliance to provide one or more enhanced functions of the household appliance.

37. A system according to any of claims 31 to 36, wherein the remote control device comprises a wireless temperature sensor, a utensil, a kitchen scales, a wireless control device and / or an air quality sensor.

38. A system according to any of claims 31 to 37, wherein the remote control device comprises a microelectromechanical systems, MEMS, sensor configured to sense movement of the remote control device, and wherein the controlling the household appliance to perform the operating activity is dependent on the movement of the remote control device sensed using the MEMS sensor.

39. A method of operating a household appliance, the household appliance being operable, when a remote control mode of the household appliance is enabled, to be controlled via a remote control device, the method comprising: receiving, from sensor equipment, first sensor data indicating that the remote control device is at a first position relative to the household appliance; in response to receiving the first sensor data, controlling the household appliance to enable the remote control mode of the household appliance; receiving second sensor data from the sensor equipment, the second sensor data indicating movement of the remote control device; and in response to receiving the second sensor data, controlling the household appliance to perform an operating activity of the household appliance.

40. A computer program comprising a set of instructions which, when executed by a computerised device, cause the computerised device to perform a method according to claim 29 or claim 39.

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