DE102015101031A1 - Domestic appliance and method for operating a household appliance - Google Patents

Abstract

Domestic appliance (1) and method for operating such a household appliance (1), wherein the domestic appliance (1) is associated with a treatment zone (2) for the treatment of a material to be treated (3). The household appliance (1) comprises a storage device (4) and a control device (5) and a heating device (6) for the controlled heating of the material to be treated (3). Furthermore, an operating device (7) is provided for operation. The operating device (7) comprises a biometric sensor device (8) for detecting at least one biometric feature (9) of an operator.

Description

The present invention relates to a domestic appliance and a method for operating such a domestic appliance, wherein the domestic appliance is associated with at least one treatment zone for the treatment of at least one material to be treated.

Although the invention is described in the embodiment with respect to a hob, the invention is also applicable to other household appliances such as dishwashers, washing machines dryers and the like and in particular to cooking appliances such as hobs, ovens, stoves, steamer, Mikrowellengargeräten and combinations of the aforementioned devices.

In today's household appliances, a commissioning lock is often integrated. Such a mechanism is intended to prevent unintentional startup. For example, children should not start kitchen appliances or other household appliances unattended. Such startup locks can be realized, for example, via a one-touch solution or a multi-key solution. For example, with a one-touch solution, the switch or sensor must be operated for an extended period of time or at a particular rhythm to disable the start-up lockout. Such commissioning locks are often learned quickly not only by the users but also by children. Then such locks may be ineffective.

As an alternative to a one-key solution, multi-key solutions are also offered on the market. In this case, for example, several sensors or switches must be operated simultaneously and / or successively in a specific order for a certain duration. Such locks work more reliably, but have the disadvantage that they are too complex for the customer and thus in practice unsuitable for practice.

Basically, more and more displays are being used in households and household appliances. This may provide the customer with more and better information. However, through the use of displays and touch-sensitive surfaces, the controls are often overloaded with functions and you have to repeatedly perform many operations to activate a function.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a domestic appliance and a method for operating a household appliance, which makes practicable and reliable operation possible.

This object is achieved by a domestic appliance with the features of claim 1 and by a method for operating a household appliance having the features of claim 8. Preferred developments of the invention are subject of the dependent claims. Further advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the general description and the description of the embodiment.

A domestic appliance according to the invention comprises at least one storage device and at least one control device and at least one heating device. The household appliance is assigned at least one treatment zone for the treatment of a material to be treated. The heater is used for controlled heating of the material to be treated. Furthermore, an operating device is provided for operation. In this case, the operating device comprises at least one biometric sensor device for detecting at least one biometric feature of an operator.

The domestic appliance according to the invention has many advantages. A significant advantage of the domestic appliance according to the invention is that the operating device has a biometric sensor device with which an operator can be uniquely identified. As a result, the operation of the household appliance can be made possible only for certain operators or groups of people. It is also possible that specifically certain persons are excluded from the operation. It is also possible and preferred for only identified persons to be allowed the full scope of operation, while unidentified persons are completely or partially excluded from the operation.

In particular, the household appliance comprises a device body on which the treatment zone is provided. The control device, the storage device and the heating device and the operating device for operation are in particular likewise arranged on the device body and preferably received. In particular, the operating device with the biometric sensor device is accessible on a surface of the device body and thus on a surface of the household appliance and permanently installed there.

An inventive household appliance can be designed as a cooking appliance and include a hob and / or a cooking chamber such as an oven. The item to be treated is then, for example, the food to be prepared. The household appliance according to the invention can also be designed as a dishwasher, the material to be treated then forms the dishes to be cleaned. The household appliance can also be used as a washing machine or as a dryer or be executed as a washer-dryer to wash a laundry and / or to dry.

In all embodiments, one or the heating device can be designed electrically. It is also possible to provide a fuel-powered heater. The heater can also be supplied from the outside via a heating medium energy. A heating device may comprise, for example, an inductor, a heating coil or a heating rod and also a steam generator.

In preferred embodiments, the biometric sensor device comprises at least one optical detection unit. Such an optical detection unit can be designed, for example, as a fingerprint sensor and / or as an iris scanner or comprise such a sensor. Particularly preferably, the biometric sensor device comprises at least one fingerprint sensor and / or at least one iris scanner and / or at least one camera and / or at least one line sensor. In a fingerprint sensor, for example, a finger or a palm or several fingers of a user are detected simultaneously. Or different areas of a finger or several fingers or a hand are detected sequentially. For this purpose, the optical recognition unit can scan an area or record it altogether at the same time. It is also possible for the user's face or fingertip to be recorded and analyzed in order to capture the user or the operator with sufficient accuracy based on characteristic features. If the operator is not recognized directly, then the recognition process may be repeated a predetermined number of times or indefinitely until the recognition process is terminated manually or automatically.

A fingerprint sensor or an iris scanner or other optical recognition unit can be simple in construction and allow a high recognition rate combined with high reliability. Such a sensor may also be designed such that the user has to pull his fingertip over the optical recognition unit, for example at a predetermined speed or in a predetermined speed range. If the speed of movement is too high or too low, an indication can be given to the appliance.

In preferred developments, the control device is suitable and configured to evaluate a detected biometric feature of an operator and compare it with stored biometric characteristics of identified operators stored in the memory device in order to identify a specific operator or group of persons. Such a configuration offers considerable advantages, since characteristic biometric data can be stored in the memory device in order to identify specific operators. Accordingly, an operator can be assigned to a group of persons. This allows a precise control or rights distribution for controlling the household appliance.

Particularly preferably, several sequence programs are stored in the memory device, which can be selected by means of the operating device. Combined with the recognition of a specific person, this allows a simple and effective child protection function. For example, upon detection of a particular person (eg, a child), the hob may be unlocked only for performing warm-up operations. For example, in an oven, only a warm-up function may be provided, or the pyrolysis function may be disabled for certain users or user groups so that inexperienced users do not inadvertently invoke a function they did not intend. A pyrolysis process regularly takes one or more hours, so it makes sense to allow the launch of such a program only to experienced users.

But it is also possible to prefer certain programs user-dependent. Thus, the household appliance in its memory device can store a number of the last sequence programs user-dependent. The control device can determine, for example, that a certain user regularly prepares a frozen pizza in an oven, or that, for example, a specific operator of a dishwasher regularly starts an extra intensive washing program. Accordingly, when activating the household appliance depending on the identified person, a corresponding program can be proposed, whereby the ease of use increases even further.

It is also possible that each user deposited preferred programs, which he can select directly after his identification via shortcuts or the like.

In preferred developments, the control device is suitable and designed to offer or modify a program group or a number and type of selectable sequence programs depending on an identified operator or group of persons. Such a function can be used to group together different user groups, such as "beginners", "experienced users" and "experts" or even "visitors", so that corresponding functions can be assigned to the different user groups be available. For laundry z. B. particularly stressful or intensive programs for more inexperienced users are excluded or proposed directly to certain operators. For a user group "Children", the selection of the sequence programs can be severely restricted if desired, in order to reduce the risk potential.

Particularly preferably, the household appliance is equipped with at least one hob.

The method according to the invention serves to operate a domestic appliance in which a material to be treated is treated in at least one treatment zone and in which at least one heating device is controlled with at least one control device for targeted heating of the material to be treated. In this case, at least one biometric feature of an operator is detected and the control of the household appliance is at least also in response to the detected biometric feature.

The method according to the invention also has many advantages. The method according to the invention enables a simple and reliable operation and the simple execution of a blocking function, without the user having to remember a complicated sequence of keys or, for example, children simply finding out that the barrier has been unlocked.

In the context of the present invention, heating of the material to be treated is equated with heating of the treatment zone.

In preferred embodiments, the detected biometric feature is compared with stored biometric features, and a particular operator and / or group of persons is identified when the acquired biometric feature is associated with the particular operator or group of persons.

Preferably, an operator is assigned to a predetermined non-recognition group if the derived correspondence of the detected biometric feature with the stored biometric features falls below a predetermined threshold. It is possible that the home appliance denies any function when a user is assigned to a non-recognition group. It is also possible that only certain sequence programs are feasible when an operator is assigned to a non-recognition group. Preferably, it is possible for a particular identified operator under certain conditions to change the permissions. This allows the permissible sequence programs for persons of the non-recognition group to be changed.

Preferably, after identifying a particular operator or group of persons, a predetermined sequence program is executed directly after identification. Such a configuration makes it possible, for example, for a child to activate a sequence program directly after identification, which prepares and / or warms up the intended food or the like. The sequence program can also start automatically after detection.

The invention also makes it possible to personalize household appliances such as a hob or the like for a user. In the prior art, it is sometimes possible for household appliances to set various settings such as beeps, brightness of the display, the number of cooking levels or programs, etc. For different users, however, this type of setting is practically only possible for one user, since there is currently no distinction between different users. The invention now makes it possible to allow different users different personalization. This makes the display brighter for one user than another. Accordingly, beeps can be exchanged or changed in their volume. The particular configuration is simply set by identifying the user when the household appliance is activated.

Although the invention provides a home appliance with many adjustment options, it still allows easy and reliable operation.

Further advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the embodiment, which will be explained below with reference to the accompanying figures.

In the figures show:

1 a highly schematic plan view of a household appliance 1 with a hob;

2 a schematic view of the control and storage device of the household appliance according to 1 ; and

3 an enlarged view of the control for the hob after 1 ,

1 shows a highly schematic plan view of a household appliance 1 which is a hob 30 includes or as such a hob 30 is trained. The household appliance 1 as a hob 30 has a device body 10 on, which one here For example, a glass ceramic plate comprises, at the individual cooking zones 31 . 32 are provided.

At the cooking zones 31 . 32 are each treatment zones 2 for the treatment of material to be treated 3 intended. The cooking zones 31 are here designed as individual cooking zones. The cooking zone 32 is a variety of inductors 33 assigned, the total of a surface cooking zone 32 provide on the pots 34 can be parked flexibly.

At the cooking zone 31 can be a single inductor 33 be provided while at the surface cooking zone 32 a variety of inductors 33 is provided.

The cooking zones 31 . 32 be by means of a control device 5 controlled. The control device 5 is a storage device 4 assigned or the control device 5 comprises a memory device 4 , The control device 5 is via appropriate lines with the cooking zones 31 and 32 connected. The control device 5 is via appropriate lines also with the operating device 7 connected. It is possible in addition to a wired connection and a wireless connection, for example via WLAN or Bluetooth or DECT or other known standards.

The operating device 7 has a biometric sensor device 8th , The operating device 7 is firmly in the device body 10 of the household appliance 1 integrated. The display of the operating device 7 can in the glass ceramic of the hob 30 be integrated.

2 shows a highly schematic view of the controller 5 with the associated memory device 4 , In the storage device 4 For example, you can use different sequence programs 14 . 15 and 16 (and other sequence programs) be deposited. In addition, in the storage device 4 several biometric characteristics 11 . 12 and 13 (and more more) are deposited, which are each characteristic of a defined operator.

When an operator is recognized and the biometric feature of the operator is the biometric characteristic 11 has, for example, is the identified operator 21 , Accordingly, with sufficient agreement with the biometric characteristic 12 the operator 22 be identified. With a sufficient match of at least one biometric characteristic with the biometric characteristic 13 then becomes, for example, the operator 23 identified.

Here are the operators 22 and 23 a specific and predefined group of people 24 assigned. Such a group of people 24 may include, for example, the parents of a family. If, accordingly, the operator 22 or 23 on the household appliance 1 identifies this operator, for example, all flow programs 14 - 16 be available.

In the sequence programs 14 . 15 and 16 Here are the sequence programs 14 and 15 to a program group 20 summarized. This can be, for example, a program group 20 be that only the group of people 24 is available during an identified operator 21 (in this example, the child of the family) only the sequence program 16 is available, which allows, for example, only a defined warming of food.

It is also possible that with the operator 21 only the programs of the program group 20 are available during the group of people 24 all run programs 14 - 16 be available. An unidentified operator could then either start no sequence program or only the sequence program 16 , Through such a rights assignment, an individual control of the household appliance is possible, so that a simple operation is possible. At the same time, the risk potential is considerably reduced.

3 shows a schematic and enlarged view of the operating device 7 , which is preferably touch-sensitive and in particular in the device body 10 is integrated.

The operating device 7 has several sensors 18 , which allows a cooking zone selection and a cooking zone display. Here are for example 5 Different cooking zones possible, which are all active in the example shown. Each individual cooking zone display shows the power level with which the respective zone is currently operated. For example, each cooking zone can be operated with cooking levels between 0 (out of service) and 9 (full power). A corresponding cooking level selection 19 is planned. About an ad 17 For example, the current time or the remaining duration of a sequence program or the like can be displayed.

Furthermore, the operating device includes 7 at least one biometric sensor device 8th with at least one sensor unit. Here is the biometric sensor device 8th a fingerprint sensor 8a which can pull at least part of a fingertip of an operator over it or can detect it all at once so as to enable a reliable identification of an operator. Exemplary is a biometric feature 9 pictured, its irregular structure with those in the storage device 4 deposited biometric characteristics 11 - 13 etc. is compared. If there is a sufficient match, a corresponding operator is identified.

In addition to a fingerprint sensor 8a There are also other biometric sensors such as an iris scanner 8b or a camera 8c be integrated to detect further biometric features of an operator. It is also possible that only one of the three described biometric sensors is used or that two arbitrarily combinable sensors are used.

With the invention it is possible that the household appliance 1 only after unlocking by means of a biometric sensor device 8th can be activated. It is possible to specify different basic settings to different identified operators, so that the type of operation and the reaction to operator inputs etc. can be set individually. It is also possible, depending on the operator or group of people to provide different sequence programs available, which can then be selected accordingly. Optionally, a sequence program can be started fully automatically even after detecting a specific operator.

By integration of a biometric sensor device 8th like a fingerprint sensor 8a As a sensor device and in particular as an on / off sensor, it is possible that only the respectively stored and identified user the hob 30 as a household appliance 1 can be put into operation. By identifying the biometric feature 9 An operator can be distinguished between different users. The manufacturer is enabled to have different profiles of household-based operators in the household appliance 1 to deposit, so that individual settings are possible.

The invention also makes it possible that in household appliances with a multi-part display or a graphical display a menu with the last selected sequence programs can be integrated, which can be sorted, for example, frequency and / or importance of dialing, so quickly and easily under can select different sequence programs. For different target groups and / or groups of people 24 , such as children or guests, can be at the hob 30 Only a certain maximum power will be released, so that operators of the group of people 24 for example, in the cooking stage selection, it must be restricted to the range of 0 to 3 or 5 for heating food.

The biometric sensor device 7 can be integrated into the electronics. In particular, the biometric sensor device in the form of, for example, a fingerprint sensor replaces a conventional on / off sensor on hobs or in household appliances. For example, in the case of areal detection of the biometric feature, the user's finger only has to be placed on top to carry out the identification of the operator.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

 household appliance

2

 treatment zone

3

 treated

4

 memory device

5

 control device

6

 heater

7

 operating device

8th

 biometric sensor device

8a

 Fingerprint Sensor

8b

 Iris scanners

8c

 camera

9

 biometric feature

10

 device body

11

 biometric characteristic

12

 biometric characteristic

13

 biometric characteristic

14

 sequence program

15

 sequence program

16

 sequence program

17

 display

18

 Cooking zone selection / display

19

 Cooking stage selection

20

 program group

21

 identified operator

22

 identified operator

23

 identified operator

24

 group

30

 hob

31

 cooking zone

32

 Area cooking zone

33

 inductor

34

 pot

Claims (11)

Domestic appliance ( 1 ), the at least one treatment zone ( 2 ) for the treatment of a material to be treated ( 3 ), comprising at least one memory device ( 4 ) and at least one control device ( 5 ) and at least one heating device ( 6 ) for the controlled heating of the material to be treated ( 3 ), further comprising at least one operating device ( 7 ) for operation, characterized in that the operating device ( 7 ) at least one biometric sensor device ( 8th ) to Capturing at least one biometric feature ( 9 ) of an operator. Domestic appliance ( 1 ) according to claim 1, wherein the biometric sensor device ( 8th ) at least one fingerprint sensor ( 8a ) and / or at least one iris scanner ( 8b ). Domestic appliance ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control device ( 5 ) is suitable and designed to detect a detected biometric feature ( 9 ) of an operator and with in the memory device ( 4 stored stored biometric characteristics ( 11 . 13 ) of identified operators ( 21 - 23 ) to a specific operator ( 21 ) or group of people ( 24 ) to identify. Domestic appliance ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in the memory device ( 4 ) several sequence programs ( 14 . 15 . 16 ) are stored, which by means of the operating device ( 7 ) are selectable. Domestic appliance ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control device ( 5 ) is suitable and designed, depending on an identified operator ( 21 ) or group of people ( 24 ) a program group ( 20 ) or a number and type of selectable execution programs ( 14 - 16 ) to offer or change. Domestic appliance ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control device ( 5 ) is suitable and designed, at least one sequence program ( 16 ) only after identification of an operator ( 11 ). Domestic appliance ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one hob ( 30 ). Method for operating a household appliance ( 1 ), in which in at least one treatment zone ( 2 ) a material to be treated ( 3 ) and in which at least one control device ( 5 ) at least one heating device ( 6 ) for targeted heating of the material to be treated ( 3 ), wherein at least one biometric feature of an operator is detected and the control of the household appliance is at least also in response to the detected biometric feature. A method according to the preceding claim, wherein the detected biometric feature is compared to stored biometric features, and wherein a particular operator or group of persons is identified when the detected biometric feature is associated with the particular operator or group of persons. Procedure ( 1 ) according to one of the two preceding claims, wherein the control device executes at least one sequence program only after identification of an operator or group of people. Procedure ( 1 ) according to one of the three preceding claims, wherein the control device executes a specific sequence program directly after identification of an operator or group of people.

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