METHOD FOR OPERATING A HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE, PORTABLE OPERATING UNIT AND HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE

• US 20120092139A1
• Filed: 04/20/2010
• Published: 04/19/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH (Robert Bosch GmbH)
• Original Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgerã¤Te GmbH (Robert Bosch GmbH)
• Inventors: Rieser, Frank, Ehrensberger, Julia
• Granted Patent: US 9,007,184 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/12.23
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/006 using wireless communication between internal components of the machine
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4257 Details of the loading door
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4274 Arrangement of electrical components, e.g. control units or cables A47L15/4293 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4293 Arrangements for programme selection, e.g. control panels; Indication of the selected programme, programme progress or other parameters of the programme, e.g. by using display panels
• CPC Class Codes: D06F 34/32 characterised by graphical features, e.g. touchscreens
• CPC Class Codes: F24C 15/2021 Arrangement or mounting of control or safety systems
• CPC Class Codes: F24C 7/082 on ranges, e.g. control panels, illumination
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 29/005 Mounting of control devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations

Abstract

In a method for operating a household appliance, a portable operating unit is docked to a selected one of a plurality of household appliances. The selected household appliance is identified using the portable operating unit which is then configured to operate the selected household appliance only. The portable operating unit includes at least one docking element for docking to a docking station of the selected household appliance, an identification device for identifying the selected household appliance, and a configuration device for configuration of the operating unit for operating the selected household appliance only.

Claims

1-14. -14. (canceled)

15. A method for operating a household appliance, comprising the steps of:

docking a portable operating unit to a selected one of a plurality of household appliances;

identifying the selected household appliance using the portable operating unit; and

configuring the portable operating unit for operating the selected household appliance only.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising undocking the portable operating unit from the selected household appliance, thereby switching off the household appliance.

17. A portable operating unit for operating a household appliance, comprising:

at least one docking element for docking to a selected one of a plurality of household appliances;

an identification device for identifying the selected household appliance; and

a configuration device for configuration of the operating unit for operating the selected household appliance only.

18. The portable operating unit of claim 17, wherein the docking element comprises a wired external interface.

19. The portable operating unit of claim 17, wherein the docking element comprises a short-range wireless external interface.

20. The portable operating unit of claim 17, wherein the docking element comprises an energy absorption member.

21. The portable operating unit of claim 17, further comprising a computer interface for connecting to a computer.

22. The portable operating unit of claim 17, further comprising a standardized user guide for use with the plurality of household appliances to be operated.

23. The portable operating unit of claim 17, further comprising a communication unit for in-house communication with the plurality of household appliances to be identified in the absence of a docking of the portable operating unit to one of the plurality of household appliances to be identified.

24. A household appliance, comprising a docking station for docking a portable operating unit, said operating unit comprising at least one docking element for docking to the docking station of a selected one of a plurality of household appliances, an identification device for identifying the selected household appliance, and a configuration device for configuration of the operating unit for operating the selected household appliance only.

25. The household appliance of claim 24, wherein the docking element comprises a wired external interface.

26. The household appliance of claim 24, wherein the docking element comprises a short-range wireless external interface.

27. The household appliance of claim 24, wherein the docking element comprises an energy absorption member.

28. The household appliance of claim 24, further comprising a computer interface for connecting to a computer.

29. The household appliance of claim 24, further comprising a standardized user guide for use with the plurality of household appliances to be operated.

30. The household appliance of claim 24, further comprising a communication unit for in-house communication with the plurality of household appliances to be identified in the absence of a docking of the portable operating unit to one of the plurality of household appliances to be identified.

31. The household appliance of claim 24, wherein the docking station is integrated in a front face of the household appliance and comprises a mounting surface protruding from the front face for positioning the portable operating unit.

32. The household appliance of claim 24, wherein the docking station is integrated in a front face of the household appliance and comprises a folding mechanism for folding out the portable operating unit from a substantially perpendicular position.

33. The household appliance of claim 24, wherein the docking station is integrated in a front face of the household appliance and comprises a surface oriented obliquely upward for fastening the portable operating unit.

34. The household appliance of claim 24, further comprising at least one fixedly installed operating and/or display element for allowing operation and/or display in the presence of a malfunction of the operating unit.