DE102016123404A1 - Communication unit and method for wirelessly connecting a cooktop to an operating device, operating system and cooktop - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a communication unit (106) for wirelessly connecting a cooktop (100) to an operating device (104) for operating the cooktop (100). The communication unit (106) comprises a connection interface (200) for connecting the operating device (104) to the communication unit (106) and a control unit which is designed to read in a device key (108) of the cooktop (100), the device key (108). to check by a security key to obtain a check result, and to control a data flow via a communication interface for communicating wirelessly with the cooktop (100) in response to the check result.

Description

The invention relates to a communication unit for wireless connection of a hob with an operating device for operating the hob, a corresponding method, a corresponding computer program, an operating system for operating a hob and a hob.

A smartphone can be used to remotely control a household appliance.

Against this background, the present invention has the object to provide an improved communication unit for wireless connection of a hob with a control unit, an improved method for wirelessly connecting a hob with a control unit, an improved control system for operating a hob and an improved hob.

According to the invention this object is achieved by a communication unit, a method, an operating system and a hob with the features of the main claims. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention will become apparent from the following subclaims.

• eine Anschlussschnittstelle zum Anschließen des Bediengeräts an die Kommunikationseinheit;
• eine Steuereinheit, die ausgebildet ist, um einen Geräteschlüssel des Kochfelds einzulesen, den Geräteschlüssel anhand eines Sicherheitsschlüssels zu prüfen, um ein Prüfergebnis zu erhalten, und einen Datenfluss über eine Kommunikationsschnittstelle in zum drahtlosen Kommunizieren mit dem Kochfeld in Abhängigkeit von dem Prüfergebnis zu steuern.

A communication unit for wirelessly connecting a cooktop to a control unit for operating the cooktop is presented, wherein the communication unit has the following features:

• a port interface for connecting the HMI device to the communication unit;
• a control unit configured to read in an appliance key of the cooktop, to test the appliance key with a security key to obtain a check result, and to control a data flow via a communication interface for wirelessly communicating with the cooktop in response to the check result.

Depending on the embodiment, the communication unit may be an external unit or a unit integrated in the HMI device. For example, the communication unit can be realized as a so-called dongle. Under a hob can be understood a cooking surface with one or more cooking zones for heating cookware. The operating device may be, for example, a smartphone, a tablet PC or another portable terminal for operating the cooktop. For example, the HMI device can be realized as a detachable from the hob, tablet-like control panel. A connection interface can be understood as a hardware interface, for example in the form of a connector. Depending on the embodiment, the communication interface can be realized as a component of the communication unit or, additionally or alternatively, as a component of the operating unit. For example, the communication interface may be a WLAN, Bluetooth or NFC interface or a combination of at least two of the mentioned interfaces. A device key can be understood to mean a unique device identifier for authenticating the hob, such as a serial number or a device code. A security key can be understood to be a code that is unique in that it is associated with exactly one device key.

The approach described herein is based on the recognition that by using, for example, a dongle that can be coupled to an operator panel to operate a cooktop, safe wireless cooktop communication between the cooktop and the operator panel can be ensured. Unauthorized remote control of the hob and an associated security risk can thus be avoided, since the wireless communication with the hob is only possible when the dongle, for example via a jack or USB jack, is installed on the control unit. The communication can then take place, for example, via a WLAN or Bluetooth interface of the HMI device. In particular, a secure authentication of the hob can be ensured, for example, that for each device number only a single dongle or, additionally or alternatively, only a single access code is available.

According to one embodiment, the connection interface may have at least one jack plug for connecting the communication unit to a jack socket of the HMI device. Additionally or alternatively, the connection interface can have at least one USB plug and / or Lightning plug for connecting the communication unit to a USB socket and / or Lightning socket of the HMI device. As a result, the communication unit can be easily and reliably coupled to the operating device. The general specification of the USB interface is understood in the sense that it is not limited to a particular design.

According to a further embodiment, the communication interface can be implemented as a WLAN, Bluetooth or NFC interface or as a combination of at least two of the mentioned interfaces. This will ensure a safe and fast wireless communication between the Communication unit and the hob allows.

According to an embodiment, the communication unit may comprise the communication interface. In this case, the control unit can be designed to control the data flow between the connection interface and the communication interface. This embodiment enables direct wireless communication between the communication unit and the hob. As a result, the operation of the hob can also be done by operating devices that have no own communication interface.

Furthermore, the control unit may be configured to use a key as the security key associated with at most one device key for checking the device key and to allow the data flow if the test result represents a unique association of the device key with the security key. As a result, a secure authentication of the hob can be guaranteed and thus reduces the risk of incorrect operation of the hob.

The control unit may, according to another embodiment, be configured to read in a distance signal representing a distance between the communication unit and the cooktop and to control the data flow using the distance signal. A distance signal can be understood, for example, as an NFC or Bluetooth signal. For example, the control unit may be designed to block the data flow if no distance signal or an excessively low range signal is received or the distance between the hob and the communication unit exceeds a predetermined limit value. Thereby, the remote control of the hob can be allowed or prevented depending on the distance of the hob to the HMI device.

For example, the control unit may be configured to allow the data flow when the range signal represents a distance of less than 5 meters. This can ensure that a user is within sight of the hob when operating the hob.

In addition, the control unit may be designed to read in via the communication interface a maintenance signal emitted by the hob for maintaining a wireless connection between the communication unit and the hob and to output a response signal to the communication interface using the maintenance signal. A sustain signal can be understood as a so-called keep-alive signal. For example, the sustain signal may be emitted from the cooktop at regular intervals, such as one second, with the cooktop awaiting the response signal within a certain time limit in response to the communication unit responding to the sustain signal. If the response signal remains off once or several times, it is possible, for example, to conclude that the cooktop is interrupted or that the communication unit is not functioning due to the cooktop. The hob can then take appropriate action. For example, the hob can automatically switch off when the response signal is missing. By this embodiment, the safety when remote control of the hob can be further increased.

• Einlesen des Geräteschlüssels;
• Prüfen des Geräteschlüssels anhand des Sicherheitsschlüssels, um das Prüfergebnis zu erhalten; und
• Steuern des Datenflusses über die Kommunikationsschnittstelle in Abhängigkeit von dem Prüfergebnis.

The approach described here also provides a method for wirelessly connecting a hob with a control unit for operating the hob by means of a communication unit according to one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the method comprises the following steps:

• Reading the device key;
• Check the device key using the security key to obtain the test result; and
• Controlling the data flow via the communication interface as a function of the test result.

This method can be implemented, for example, in software or hardware or in a mixed form of software and hardware, for example in a control unit.

• ein Bediengerät; und
• eine an das Bediengerät angeschlossene Kommunikationseinheit gemäß einer der vorstehenden Ausführungsformen.

Furthermore, the approach described here creates a control system for operating a cooktop, the operating system having the following features:

• an operator panel; and
• a communication unit connected to the operating device according to one of the preceding embodiments.

As already mentioned, the communication unit can be permanently integrated in the operating device or be implemented as an external, detachable from the operating unit accessory.

According to one embodiment, the operating device can be designed as a smartphone or tablet PC. This allows a smartphone or a tablet PC to be used for remote control of the hob.

The approach described here finally creates a hob with an operating system according to one of the preceding embodiments.

In this case, the operating device according to an embodiment can be made removable from the hob. This allows a flexible, comfortable operation of the hob.

Also of advantage is a computer program product or computer program with program code which can be stored on a machine-readable carrier or storage medium such as a semiconductor memory, a hard disk memory or an optical memory and for carrying out, implementing and / or controlling the steps of the method according to one of the embodiments described above is used, especially when the program product or program is executed on a computer or a device.

• 1 eine schematische Darstellung eines Kochfelds mit einem Bediensystem gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel;
• 2 eine schematische Darstellung eines Bediengeräts gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel;
• 3 eine schematische Darstellung einer Kommunikationseinheit gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel;
• 4 eine schematische Darstellung einer Steuereinheit gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel; und
• 5 ein Ablaufdiagramm eines Verfahrens gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel.

An embodiment of the invention is shown purely schematically in the drawings and will be described in more detail below. It shows

• 1 a schematic representation of a hob with an operating system according to an embodiment;
• 2 a schematic representation of an operating device according to an embodiment;
• 3 a schematic representation of a communication unit according to an embodiment;
• 4 a schematic representation of a control unit according to an embodiment; and
• 5 a flowchart of a method according to an embodiment.

1 shows a schematic representation of a hob 100 with an operating system 102 according to an embodiment. The operating system 102 includes an operator panel 104 , here a tablet PC, and one in the HMI device 104 inserted communication unit 106 for establishing a wireless connection between the HMI device 104 and the hob 100 , The communication unit 106 is designed to be a device key 108 of the hob 100 to read in 1 exemplarily via a communication interface 110 of the HMI device 104 for wireless communication of the HMI device 104 with the hob 100 , Further, the communication unit 106 trained to the hob 100 by checking the device key 108 authenticate using a security key. The security key is programmed into the communication unit 106, for example. If the authentication is successful, the communication unit 106 provides a communication channel between the HMI device 104 and the hob 100 free, so the hob 100 through the HMI device 104 remotely controllable via the communication interface. The communication interface 110 is realized, for example, as a WLAN, Bluetooth or NFC interface.

Depending on the embodiment, the communication unit 106 designed to additionally or alternatively via its own communication interface wirelessly with the hob 100 to communicate, about the device key 108 read in or data between the HMI device 104 and the hob 100 transferred to.

In the inserted communication unit 106 For example, a security code that matches exactly one particular hob is stored as a security key. The security key allows the establishment of an authenticated wireless connection between cooktop 100 and HMI device 104 ,

2 shows a schematic representation of a communication unit 106 according to an embodiment, such as a preceding with reference to 1 described communication unit. The communication unit 106 , also called dongle, according to this embodiment, with a connection interface 200 for connecting the communication unit 106 to the HMI device 104 , here by way of example in the form of a jack plug, as well as an optional communication interface 202 for wireless communication with the hob 100 realized, for example, to read the device key 108 or to transmit generated by the operating device control signals 206 for operating the hob. The two interfaces 200 . 202 are via a control unit 204 the communication unit 106 coupled together. The control unit 204 is designed to be dependent on a compliance of the device key 108 with the security key a data flow between the two interfaces 200 . 202 to control. So locks the control unit 204 for example, the data flow when the device key 108 the security key is not unique.

Additionally or alternatively, the control unit 204 the device key 108 over the junction 200 Read. In this way, a communication interface of the HMI device can be used, as determined by 1 is described.

An example is the communication unit 106 according to 2 as safety dongle with a 3.5 mm jack plug as connection interface 200 realized. To guarantee that even after the Authentication the remote control of the cooktop is done only in the immediate vicinity, is the communication unit 106 equipped with an NFC or Bluetooth interface over which the presence of the hob in the environment of the communication unit 106 can be safely checked.

3 shows a schematic representation of an HMI device 104 according to an exemplary embodiment, for example, a previously with reference to FIG 1 and 2 described HMI device. The operating device 104 exemplifies a 3.5mm jack socket 300 for a headphone jack and a USB jack 302 for a USB or micro USB port, which can be linked to the communication unit, depending on the design of the connection interface. On a touch-sensitive display of the HMI device 104 are symbolic four cooking zones 304 of the hob. Below the cooking zones 304 There are four control panels 306 each representing one of the four cooking zones 304 assigned. By touching the control panels accordingly 106 For example, the respective temperature levels of the cooking zones 304 be adjusted and corresponding settings after successful authentication by means of the communication unit in the form of the control signals to the hob are transmitted.

4 shows a schematic representation of a control unit 204 according to an embodiment, such as a preceding with reference to 2 described control unit. The control unit 204 includes a read-in unit 410 for reading the device key 108 , a test unit 420 to check the device key 108 based on the security key and an output unit 430 for outputting the operating signals provided by the HMI device 206 depending on one of the test unit 420 received test result 432 ,

According to an optional embodiment, the read-in unit 410 designed to additionally a distance signal 434 to read a distance of the communication unit from the hob, and read this to the output unit 430 forward. The output unit 430 evaluates the distance signal 434 off and controls the data flow of the control signals 206 via the communication interface as a function of the distance signal 434 represented distance. For example, the output unit allows 430 the forwarding of the operating signals 206 to the hob when the distance is less than 5 meters.

According to a further embodiment, the read-in unit 410 formed to a maintained from the hob maintenance signal 436 , also called keepalive, to read in and to the output unit 430 forward. The output unit 430 uses the sustain signal 436 to a response signal 438 to generate and send back to the hob via the communication interface. The response signal 438 is used for example by a control unit of the hob for controlling individual cooking zones of the hob. For example, depending on the distance between the communication unit and the hob, the hob will be responsive to the transmission of the sustain signal 436 no response signal or only a very weak response signal 438. In this case, the control unit can completely switch off the hob, for example.

5 shows a flowchart of a method 500 according to an embodiment. The procedure 500 for wireless connection of a hob with a control unit, for example, using a previously with reference to 4 described control unit are performed. It is in one step 510 the device key is read in one step 520 the device key is checked using the security key to obtain the test result and in one step 530 the data flow is controlled via the communication interface as a function of the test result.

Hereinafter, various embodiments of the approach presented here will be described again in other words.

More and more automatic programs and cooking assistants are finding their way into hobs. In order to be able to comfortably handle the multi-layered settings, supportive input, for example via smartphone or tablet, is desirable. So far, however, it is not allowed due to safety regulations to make wireless communication by means of such a HMI device to a hob to control this.

The approach described here now makes it possible, by means of a communication unit in the form of a dongle, to comply with the statutory requirements with regard to operating safety, in particular the European regulations according to which switching on and selecting a power level of a hob from another room, ie. h., Without the user has visual contact with the hob is prohibited.

For example, the communication unit is enclosed with the hob when sold. Alternatively, the communication unit can be reordered, for example, via a serial number of the hob. A unique security key is programmed into the communication unit, which only allows communication with the appropriate hob. If the communication unit is connected to the operating device, for example in the form of a smartphone or tablet, then the cooktop can be remotely operated via the activated security key by means of the operating device.

In order to ensure a stable communication connection, in particular to ensure that a switch-off signal for switching off the cooktop is not lost, according to a further embodiment, a suitable keep-alive signal is exchanged between cooktop and operating device. This maintenance signal is transmitted, for example, in the form of an alternating signal every second. If the hob does not receive a change in the sustain signal, it shuts off automatically, for safety reasons, for example.

To further increase safety, the presence of the communication unit within a range of less than 5 meters of the hob is checked by a direct NFC or Bluetooth connection to the hob.

According to a further embodiment, the operating device is realized as removable from the hob control panel. Such a control device may be particularly advantageous in terms of "invisible" cooktops.

Claims (15)

A communication unit (106) for wirelessly connecting a cooktop (100) to an operating device (104) for operating the cooktop (100), the communication unit (106) having the following features: a port interface (200) for connecting the operator device (104) to the communication unit (106); a control unit (204), which is designed to read in a device key (108) of the cooktop (100), to check the device key (108) by means of a security key in order to obtain a check result (432), and a data flow via a communication interface ( 110, 202) for wirelessly communicating with the cooktop (100) in response to the test result (432). Communication unit (106) according to Claim 1 in that the connection interface (200) has at least one jack plug for connecting the communication unit (106) to a jack socket (300) of the operating device (104) and / or a USB plug for connecting the communication unit (106) to a USB socket (302 ) of the HMI device (104). Communication unit (106) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the communication interface (110; 202) as a WLAN and / or Bluetooth and / or NFC interface of the communication unit (106) or the HMI device (104) is executed. A communication unit (106) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (204) is arranged to use a key as the security key associated with at most one device key (108) for checking the device key (108) and the data flow allow, when the test result (432) represents a unique mapping of the device key (108) to the security key. A communication unit (106) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (204) is adapted to read in a distance signal (434) representing a distance between the communication unit (106) and the cooktop (100) and to use the distance signal (Fig. 434). Communication unit (106) according to Claim 5 in that the control unit (204) is designed to allow the data flow when the distance signal (434) represents a distance of less than 5 meters. A communication unit (106) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (204) is adapted to communicate, via the communication interface (110; 202), a maintenance signal (436) sent from the hob (100) to maintain a wireless connection between the communication unit (11). 106) and the hob (100) and output a response signal (438) to the communication interface (110; 202) using the sustain signal (436). A method (500) for wirelessly connecting a cooktop (100) to an operating device (104) for operating the cooktop (100) by means of a communication unit (106) according to one of Claims 1 to 7 wherein the method (500) comprises the steps of: reading (510) the device key (108); Checking (520) the device key (108) based on the security key to obtain the check result (432); and controlling (530) the data flow over the communication interface (110; 202) in response to the test result (432). Method (500) Claim 8 in which in the operating device (104) a device key (108) of the cooktop (100) is automated via a Communication interface (110, 202) of the operating device (104) for wireless communication with the hob (100) is read. An operating system (102) for operating a hob (100), the operating system (102) comprising: an operating device (104); and a communication unit (106) connected to the operating device (104) according to one of Claims 1 to 7 , Operating system (102) according to Claim 9 in which the operating device (104) is designed as a smartphone and / or tablet PC. Hob (100) with an operating system (102) according to Claim 9 or 10 , Hob (100) according to Claim 11 in which the operating device (104) of the hob (100) is designed to be removable. A computer program configured to perform the method (500) Claim 8 execute and / or control. Machine-readable storage medium on which the computer program is based Claim 13 is stored.

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