One-Button Memory Program Interface for Domestic Appliances

Solution Overview

Problem

Program-controlled domestic appliances require multiple user interactions to start a specific washing or drying program, which can be cumbersome and time-consuming, especially when users need to select and verify settings for their desired programs.

Innovation Solution

A one-button user interface system that allows users to save favorite programs with specific settings, enabling a single interaction to call and start the stored program, reducing the number of steps required to activate the appliance by integrating the 'call memory program' and 'start memory program' functions into a single button operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple user interactions are required to select and start a memory program, then the appliance can verify settings and ensure proper operation, but the user interaction sequence becomes lengthy and cumbersome

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprogram activation reliabilityVSAvoiduser interaction time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring and storing multiple memory programs with complete settings (washing parameters, drying parameters, temperature, duration, etc.) before user interaction. When the user presses the button, the already-prepared memory program is immediately activated without requiring verification steps, thus maintaining reliability while reducing interaction time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A single button is designed to perform multiple functions: it can select different memory programs, activate them, and potentially modify settings through different pressing patterns (e.g., short press vs. long press). This multi-functional button consolidates what would traditionally require multiple separate controls and interaction steps into one universal interface element.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple control elements and interaction steps are provided for program selection, then the appliance offers comprehensive control options, but the device complexity and interface difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprogram control versatilityVSAvoiduser interface complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A single button is designed to perform multiple functions: it can select different memory programs, activate them, and potentially modify settings through different pressing patterns (e.g., short press vs. long press). This multi-functional button consolidates what would traditionally require multiple separate controls and interaction steps into one universal interface element.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system stores complete program configurations (settings, parameters, sequences) as pre-configured templates in memory. Instead of requiring users to recreate or verify each setting, the system copies the entire pre-configured memory program directly into execution, preserving all control versatility while eliminating the need for complex interaction sequences.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Ease of operation

If a simplified one-button interface is used, then the user interaction is greatly simplified, but the ability to indicate different memory program selections is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterface ease of useVSAvoidprogram selection capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring and storing multiple memory programs with complete settings (washing parameters, drying parameters, temperature, duration, etc.) before user interaction. When the user presses the button, the already-prepared memory program is immediately activated without requiring verification steps, thus maintaining reliability while reducing interaction time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The single button's functionality dynamically changes based on the appliance's operational state. For example, during different phases of operation, the same button may serve different purposes (e.g., start/stop, pause, program selection), allowing one static physical element to provide versatile control through dynamic functional assignment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3699349B1System comprising a program-controlled domestic appliance and a wireless terminal, method for operating said system and computer readable medium to perform said method

Publication Date: 2024.04.10 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH

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AI summary

The disclosure relates to a program-controlled domestic appliance (100), comprising: a memory (103) configured to store a plurality of memory programs (P1, P2) for operating the domestic appliance (100) according to specific configurations; a user interface (104) configured to receive a user interaction (111) initiated by a user (110), the user interaction (111) indicating at least one memory program of the plurality of memory programs (P1, P2); and a controller (105), configured to control (107) operation of the domestic appliance (100) according to the at least one memory program indicated by the user interaction (111), wherein the controller (105) is configured to call the at least one memory program from the memory (103) and to start the called memory program responsive to the same user interaction (111) initiated by the user (110).