Hob Dual-Interface Control for Safe Wireless Operation Verification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hob control systems lack secure and convenient operation methods, particularly when using portable multimedia devices, as they may allow unintended activation due to long-range wireless controls, compromising safety.

Innovation Solution

A hob with dual communication interfaces using different frequency bands and protocols, where control commands are transmitted via WLAN and confirmation via NFC, ensuring safe operation by limiting the range of the NFC link to within 30 cm, allowing supervised control through a multimedia device like a smartphone or tablet PC.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If control commands are transmitted via long-range wireless networks (WLAN), then convenience of operation is improved, but safety deteriorates due to risk of unintended activation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconvenience of operationVSAvoidsafety
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces NFC technology as an intermediary verification mechanism between the user and the hob control system. The NFC interface acts as a mediator that must physically touch or come very close to the hob to confirm control commands, thereby preventing unintended activation while allowing convenient remote command entry via WLAN.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The control system is segmented into two independent communication interfaces: WLAN for command transmission and NFC for verification. This segmentation allows each interface to perform its specific function optimally - WLAN provides convenient remote control while NFC ensures local verification for safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If a single communication interface is used, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to lack of independent verification

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication interface structureVSAvoidoperation safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The communication system is divided into two separate interfaces - WLAN interface for receiving control commands and NFC interface for verifying user presence. This segmentation ensures that command transmission and verification are performed through independent channels, enhancing reliability through functional separation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The NFC interface serves as an intermediary verification layer that independently confirms user presence before executing commands received via WLAN. This dual-interface approach creates a reliable verification mechanism without requiring complex integration of a single interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If NFC verification requires close proximity, then safety is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to limited user mobility

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoiduser mobility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system separates the command entry function (WLAN, no proximity required) from the verification function (NFC, proximity required). This allows users to enter commands conveniently from any location within WLAN range, then only needs to approach the hob briefly for verification, maintaining both safety and mobility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Users can preliminarily enter control commands via WLAN from a distance before approaching the hob for NFC verification. This preliminary action allows command preparation without proximity constraints, improving overall ease of operation while maintaining safety through the subsequent verification step.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2834567B1Hob and method for controlling a hob
Publication Date: 2021.01.20 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP2834567B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2834567B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2834567B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A hob has a first communications interface (14) which is designed to receive control commands from a portable multimedia device (18) by means of a first radio link (20). The hob additionally has a second communications interface (16), which is designed to communicate with the multimedia device (18) via a second radio link (22).