CN117715269A

CN117715269A - Household appliance having a light source for emitting ambient light or luminous light and method for operating the same

Info

Publication number: CN117715269A
Application number: CN202311167640.7A
Authority: CN
Inventors: M·扎格尔
Original assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Current assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
Priority date: 2022-09-13
Filing date: 2023-09-11
Publication date: 2024-03-15
Also published as: DE102022209562A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a household appliance (1) comprising: at least one light source (4) for emitting light into the environment (5) of the household appliance (1); a switching device (6) which can be brought from an off-state into an on-state. In order to operate the household appliance (1) as intended, the switching device (6) should be brought into the on state. The household appliance (1) has a control device (8) which is designed to check whether at least one criterion is fulfilled, and if so, to switch on the at least one light source (4) even if the switching device (6) is in an off state. The invention further relates to a method for operating such a household appliance (1).

Description

Household appliance having a light source for emitting ambient light or luminous light and method for operating the same

Technical Field

The invention relates to a household appliance having at least one light source for emitting light to the environment of the household appliance and a switching device which can be brought from an off-state into an on-state. The switching device must be brought into the on state in order for the domestic appliance to operate as intended. The invention further relates to a method for operating such a household appliance.

Background

In modern society, people tend to take the home environment as a leisure place and create a good atmosphere therein. This action of retracting into the four walls of itself is also known as cocoon. In this case, the illumination plays a particularly important role. In this case, in particular, LED technology (led=light-emitting diode) can achieve higher illumination levels at lower operating costs, since the energy consumption is relatively low. Such high illumination is useful and reasonable for many applications. However, in some cases, high illumination can be uncomfortable, especially when creating a pleasant atmosphere, or during the night or early morning hours, because the eyes of the person are not yet adapted to bright light.

There are various solutions that can provide ambient or night lighting that is comfortable for the person. For example, a fixedly mounted light source may be equipped with a dimmer to vary the brightness of the light source. This is disadvantageous in view of the associated costs and the additional effort required to provide the dimmer. Furthermore, this also limits the choice of available light sources or light emitting devices, as the light sources or light emitting devices have to be dimmable.

Especially in the night lighting aspect, there are some small portable light sources that can be plugged into a socket. But the disadvantage is that additional purchases are necessary. Moreover, such a light emitting device can only be placed where an electrical outlet is present. In addition, such a light emitting device also blocks the socket into which it is inserted.

A disadvantage of using battery powered night lights is that the operating time is limited due to the use of batteries and, furthermore, the batteries must be replaced from time to time or must be charged if a secondary battery is used.

In addition, there are some intelligent light systems or lighting systems, such as those sold by philips under the name Hue. However, such light systems or illumination systems are relatively expensive to purchase and correspondingly expensive.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is to provide a household appliance of the type mentioned at the outset with extended usability and to provide a corresponding method for operating such a household appliance.

The household appliance having the features of the preferred embodiment of the present invention and the method having the features of the preferred embodiment of the present invention solve this task. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are given in the following description and the optional claims.

According to the invention, the household appliance has at least one light source for emitting light to the environment of the household appliance and a switching device which can be brought from an off state into an on state. In order for the domestic appliance to operate as intended, the switching device must be brought into the on state. The domestic appliance has a control device which is designed to check whether at least one criterion is fulfilled. The control device is further designed such that the at least one light source can be switched on even if the switching device is in the off-state if at least one criterion is fulfilled.

The control device can thus control the light source such that light is emitted by the light source into the environment of the domestic appliance, even if the switching device is not in an on state, which is a prerequisite for the prescribed operation of the domestic appliance. Thus, even if the switching device is in the off state, so that a defined operation of the domestic appliance is not possible, the control device can switch on at least one light source of the domestic appliance as long as at least one criterion is fulfilled. In particular, ambient lighting and/or night light may thus be provided by switching on at least one light source. Thus, home appliances have more usability.

That is, no additional light sources or light sources other than the household device need be used to provide ambient lighting or ambient light and/or night light. In contrast, at least one light source which is already present in the household appliance can be used for the above-mentioned purpose, which is designed to emit light into the environment surrounding the household appliance. This is advantageous. As this requires little expense to provide ambient lighting and/or night light. Furthermore, such illumination also increases comfort in a particularly sustainable manner, since no additional light source is required.

The cases where extended usability of the home appliance is advantageous include: one person goes to the toilet at night or wants to drink water in the kitchen. In this case, if at least one light source of the home appliance can emit comfortable light to the environment of the home appliance without the light being too bright, it is not necessary to turn on a normally bright indoor lamp. However, one does not need to purchase and install additional light sources relative to the room lights. Thus, there is no associated expense and cost. Furthermore, light emitted by at least one light source of the household appliance into the environment of the household appliance is also generally considered more pleasant than indoor lighting, which is often quite glare. Accordingly, it is possible to improve comfort by expanding usability of the home appliance without purchasing additional light sources and light source operating devices. This is very advantageous.

Furthermore, by means of the household appliance, it is also possible to provide ambient lighting in a very simple manner, for example in a kitchen or bathroom, without having to sacrifice sustainability in order to increase comfort. This is because there is no need to purchase and install additional light sources.

Furthermore, while improving comfort, no additional systems or light sources are required to occupy valuable space in the home environment. This is also an advantage. The expanded usability or enhanced functionality of the household appliance thus largely satisfies the current user's wish and idea of creating a comfortable atmosphere around the home. Due to the extended availability of the home appliances, the living environment can be particularly easily adapted to the needs and moods.

Furthermore, the usability of the extension can be extended very easily, for example, to have a plurality of home devices of the user all having corresponding functions. Furthermore, when there are a plurality of home appliances in one home, an expansion option is provided to decide whether the corresponding home appliance has an expansion availability or function, in which case the control means can switch on at least one light source even if the switching means is in an off state.

In this case, the defined operation (or predetermined operation) of the household appliance is understood to be an operation of the household appliance, which indicates the actual purpose of the household appliance. This purpose may come from the name of the household appliance, in particular. For example, the prescribed operation of the household appliance in the form of a washing machine is washing laundry, the prescribed operation of the household appliance in the form of a laundry dryer is drying laundry, and the prescribed operation of the washing dryer is washing and drying laundry. Similarly, in a household appliance designed as a cooking appliance, for example, food is cooked, or in a household appliance designed as a dishwasher, dishes or the like are washed.

The switching device can be designed in particular as a so-called main switch of the domestic appliance, which can be switched from an off state to an on state, for example, by pressing and/or rotating the main switch or the like. In this case, even if such a main switch is in the off-state, thus rendering the household appliance inoperable, the control device is still in the active state, so that it is possible to check whether at least one criterion is fulfilled and then to switch on at least one light source. This has the advantage of extending the usability of the household appliance.

The control device is preferably designed to check the signal of the timer as at least one criterion. In this way, the user of the household appliance can determine, in a very demanding manner, when the control device switches on the at least one light source by appropriately setting the timer.

In particular, the timer may be designed to predetermine a start time for switching on at least one light source and/or an end time for the operation of the light source and/or an operation period after the start time and/or before the end time. The timer is therefore preferably capable of outputting a corresponding signal to the control means indicating the start time and/or the end time and/or the time span, thereby controlling the at least one light source such that the at least one light source is switched on or switched off after switching on.

Preferably, the timer can be used to schedule the repeated switching on of at least one light source at predetermined times, for example daily and/or for specific days of the week or the like. This makes the use of the timer signal particularly flexible.

The signal of the timer can also be checked in conjunction with at least one further standard in order to switch on the at least one light source.

In particular, the timer can be designed as a timer of the household appliance. For example, a user of the home device may manipulate the timer or timer by making inputs on a corresponding user interface of the home device. The integration of the timer into the domestic appliance makes it possible to check the signal from the timer as at least one criterion for switching on the light source simply by the control device. If the timer is external to the domestic appliance, the signal is preferably transmitted to the control device of the domestic appliance via a wireless communication connection.

The control device is preferably designed to check whether a user input is present as at least one criterion, wherein the user input can be made by a user of the household appliance. For user input, the user can operate, in particular, an operating interface of the household appliance. In this way, the control device can check particularly simply whether a user input is present.

Additionally or alternatively, the user input may also include voice input of the user. In this case, the home appliance may be designed to directly receive voice input. In addition or alternatively, a preferably wireless communication connection can also be established at least temporarily between a device external to the domestic appliance (which is designed to receive voice input) and the domestic appliance, in order to convey user input information to the control device. This is particularly advantageous if the home in which the home appliance is located already has at least one external device of the home appliance which can receive voice instructions. Various manufacturers offer corresponding devices, for example devices named Google Home or provided in the form of assistants such as Alexa or Siri.

Additionally or alternatively, the user may also make an input via a switch, in particular a programmable switch, external to the domestic appliance. This also contributes to a simple operability in terms of switching on the at least one light source by the control device.

The control device is preferably designed to check whether at least one triggering event is present as at least one criterion. In this case, the domestic appliance has receiving means for receiving a signal indicating the presence of at least one triggering event. It is advantageous to switch on at least one light source in dependence of the presence of a triggering event, whereby it is ensured that the light emitted by the at least one light source is well suited for the situation at hand.

For example, the control device may take as a trigger event the closing or lowering of a shutter or similar privacy device of the home in which the home appliance is located. In addition or alternatively, the triggering event can also be the switching on of a particularly intelligent lighting system outside the household appliance. In this way, the at least one light source of the household appliance can advantageously create a pleasant lighting environment in the household. This is very advantageous.

Additionally or alternatively, the control device may also consider at least one alarm as a triggering event, such as a fire alarm and/or an alarm indicating an unauthorized entry into the home. Furthermore, disaster alarms, such as flood alarms or storm alarms or the like, may also be considered by the control device as at least one triggering event. By using at least one such alarm as a triggering event, emergency lighting may be provided by at least one light source of the household device. Additionally or alternatively, at least one light source of the household appliance itself may also be used to indicate the alarm state, for example by periodic flashing of the light source, in particular in the form of a warning color or similar striking light color.

Additionally or alternatively, the manipulation of the home doorbell can also be used as a triggering event. For example, this has the advantage that in such a situation, after manipulating the doorbell, the person in the resident does not have to first actively switch on the light source, for example, in order to walk to the doorway under sufficient illumination. Instead, at least one light source of the household appliance emits light automatically or controlled by the control device to the environment of the household appliance.

The control device is preferably designed to check the signal of the at least one sensor as at least one criterion. This facilitates the activation of at least one light source of the household appliance as desired and is well adapted to the respective situation.

For example, the control device may check the signal of the light sensor in order to switch on the light source. In this way, it is ensured that, in particular at night-curtain descent, at least one light source of the household appliance emits light into the environment of the household appliance, thereby improving the lighting conditions of the household in which the household appliance is located. But it is preferable for this purpose not to have to turn on the external illumination of the household appliance.

In addition or alternatively, the control device can also check the signal of the motion sensor as at least one criterion in order to switch on at least one light source. In this way it is ensured that the at least one light source emits light to the environment of the domestic appliance, for example when a person moves into the environment of the domestic appliance and is detected by the motion sensor.

Additionally or alternatively, the control device may check the signal of the at least one sound sensor as at least one criterion. This allows for the fact that, for example, a user entering the vicinity of a household appliance does not typically leave silently. Thus, taking into account the noise detectable by the acoustic sensor, it can advantageously be used to switch on at least one light source as required.

If the domestic appliance is located, for example, in a bathroom or kitchen, the noise emitted when the bathroom or kitchen door is opened can be detected by the sound sensor, so that the at least one light source is switched on by sending a corresponding signal to the control device.

Furthermore, it is also possible to consider the case that, for example, unauthorized access to a home in which a household appliance is located is often associated with the occurrence of noise which can be detected by a sound sensor. In this case it is also helpful if the signal from the sound sensor enables the control device to switch on at least one light source.

In addition or alternatively, it may also be provided that the signal of the at least one air quality sensor is checked as at least one criterion by the control device. In this way, the at least one light source of the household appliance can be used, in particular, to inform the user of the household appliance of air quality or poor air quality by means of illumination. This is also advantageous for a meaningful extension of the use of the household appliance if at least one light source is capable of emitting light of different colors or light colors depending on the air quality. For example, if the air quality is harmless, green light is emitted, if the air quality is deteriorated, yellow light is emitted, and if the air quality is further deteriorated, red light is emitted. This is particularly evident to the user of the household appliance and can be easily detected intuitively.

The at least one sensor may be an integral part of the household appliance. In addition or alternatively, the at least one sensor may also be configured as an external sensor of the household appliance, which is configured for transmitting signals, in particular wirelessly, to the control device.

The control means are preferably designed for varying the intensity of the light by controlling the at least one light source. In this way, it can be easily ensured that the light energy emitted by the light source is pleasant for the user during operation of the at least one light source. In particular, the control device may consider different situations when emitting light. For example, in some cases, a low light intensity may be advantageous, while in other cases, a high light intensity may be advantageous.

Additionally or alternatively, the control means may also be designed for changing the color of the light. This is also advantageous for emitting light which is perceived as pleasant by the user in the corresponding situation by means of at least one light source of the household appliance. For example, soft ambient lighting may be provided by emitting warm white light, and an atmosphere matching such light may be created by emitting neutral white light.

Additionally or alternatively, the control means may also be designed for varying the period of the luminescence. For example, in this way, a blinking operation (in particular a periodic blinking) of the at least one light source or a continuous operation of the at least one light source over a longer predetermined period of time can be achieved. By modifying or changing the time span according to the at least one criterion, specific situations can be handled particularly well when light is emitted by the at least one light source.

Preferably, the operating element can be displayed by a display screen of the household appliance when the switching device is in the off state. In this case, the control device is designed to detect an operating action of the operating element by the user of the domestic appliance and to determine that at least one criterion is fulfilled when the operating action is detected. In this way, an operating element can be advantageously realized by which the user can switch on at least one light source, but which is not permanently displayed on the display screen, but only when the switching device is in the off-state. Such an operating element, in particular a virtual operating element, therefore does not unnecessarily permanently occupy the space of the display screen or the display device of the domestic appliance. However, the switching device of the household appliance does not need to be brought into an on state in order to provide an operating element operable by a user. This is very advantageous.

Furthermore, this indirect switching on of the light source is particularly technically easy to implement by performing an operating action on an operating element displayed on the display screen of the domestic appliance. Furthermore, the display of the at least one operating element by means of the display screen of the household appliance makes it possible to inform the user in an intuitive or easily understood manner that the household appliance is in a standby mode or in a ready-to-operate mode, in which the household appliance cannot be operated as intended, but the at least one light source can be switched on by the control device. This is very advantageous.

The control device is preferably designed for switching on the at least one light source as a function of an activation of the lighting system and/or the music playing system and/or the multimedia system outside the household appliance. In this case, the household appliance has a receiving device which is designed to receive a signal, wherein the signal is representative of the activation of the lighting system and/or the music playing system and/or the multimedia system. In this way, it is very simple to synchronize the illumination of the at least one light source with the activation of the illumination system and/or the music playing system and/or the multimedia system.

For example, it may be ensured that at least one light source of the household device is turned on, in particular synchronized with an external system, when listening to music and/or playing a computer game and/or watching a movie or multimedia system or the like. This may advantageously support or improve the user's experience when using external systems of the home device, i.e. e.g. the lighting system and/or the music playing system and/or the multimedia system.

Preferably, the at least one light source belongs to a display screen of the household appliance. In this way, even if the switching device is in the off-state, the at least one light source of the display or the entire display emits light well to the environment of the household appliance. This facilitates the efficient use of such normally existing components of the domestic appliance.

This is especially the case when the at least one light source belongs to a display screen of the household appliance, which is designed for operating the household appliance. This is based on the insight that a display screen, e.g. a touch screen, which can be used for operating a household appliance is often easily accessible to a user, and that a light source located on the display screen can therefore be used very simply for emitting light into the environment of the household appliance.

Additionally or alternatively, the at least one light source may also be used to illuminate a receiving compartment of the household appliance, which receiving compartment is closable by a door of the household appliance. By operating the domestic appliance as specified, at least one object arranged in the receiving chamber can be processed. A particularly versatile use of such a light source is achieved if the light source designed for illuminating the receiving chamber is used for emitting light into the environment of the household appliance, while the switching device is in the off-state. This is because the light source is already provided in the reverse direction to illuminate the receiving chamber, so that it can be used in an advantageous manner for other purposes.

The door of the home appliance may have at least one light-transmitting region. In this way, even in the case of a door closed, light can be emitted by the at least one light source to the environment of the household appliance. This is advantageous because the door of the household appliance, if opened, may be considered as a disturbance by the user of the household appliance. Such disturbing appearance and associated obstruction to the user can be avoided if the door of the household appliance has at least one light-transmitting area.

If the household appliance is designed as a washing machine, a laundry dryer or a laundry dryer, the receiving chamber can in particular be designed as a drum which is designed for receiving laundry. If the domestic appliance is designed as a cooking appliance, the receiving chamber can be designed as a cooking chamber in which objects in the form of food, in particular those which are to be cooked, can be processed. If the household appliance is designed as a dishwasher, the treatment of at least one object placed in the receiving chamber may be a washing of dishes. The above list is merely exemplary to illustrate possible configurations of the receiving chamber.

The at least one light source may at least partially surround a door of the household appliance. In this way, when the at least one light source emits light, a very attractive visual impression is given and a very soft illumination of the environment of the household appliance is ensured, but at the same time it is easily perceived.

In addition or alternatively, the at least one light source can also be designed to indicate a defined operation of the household appliance when the switching device is brought into the on state. For example, the light source may be designed to project a light spot onto a surface such as a floor, so that a user of the household appliance is made aware of the proper operation of the household appliance. Additionally or alternatively, the at least one light source may also indicate a time of a prescribed operation and/or a remaining time of the household appliance. The use possibilities of such a light source are particularly widespread, since this light source can also be used when the switching device is in the off-state.

In the method according to the invention for operating a household appliance, at least one light source of the household appliance emits light into the environment of the household appliance. The switching device of the household appliance can be brought from an off state into an on state, wherein the switching device must be brought into an on state in order for the household appliance to function properly. The household appliance has a control device which checks whether at least one criterion is fulfilled. If at least one criterion is fulfilled, the control device switches on the at least one light source if the switching device is in the off state. The control device therefore preferably switches on at least one light source if the switching device is in the off state and the domestic appliance cannot be operated as intended. In this method, home appliances have extended usability.

The advantages and preferred embodiments described for the inventive household appliance also apply to the inventive method and vice versa.

The descriptions such as "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "horizontal", "vertical", "depth direction", "width direction", "height direction", and the like refer to positions and directions given when the home appliance is used as prescribed and arranged as prescribed, and when an observer stands in front of the home appliance and looks toward the home appliance.

The features and feature combinations mentioned in the description above, as well as the features and feature combinations mentioned in the description of the figures below and/or the features and feature combinations shown in the drawings individually, can be used not only in the combinations shown but also in other combinations or individually without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, embodiments that are not explicitly shown or explained in the figures, but which result from the explained embodiments and can be produced by individual feature combinations, are also to be regarded as embodiments encompassed and disclosed by the present invention. Thus, embodiments and combinations of features that do not possess all of the features of the originally written independent claim are also contemplated as disclosed. Furthermore, embodiments and combinations of features beyond or deviating from the combinations of features given in the claims, in particular the above-described embodiments, should also be regarded as disclosed.

Drawings

Further advantages, features and details of the invention emerge from the claims, the following description of preferred embodiments and the drawing. In the accompanying drawings:

fig. 1 shows a household appliance with extended usability in a highly schematic manner;

fig. 2 shows the household appliance according to fig. 1, wherein the display screen of the household appliance and the roller lamp of the household appliance emit light to the environment in the case of a main switch of the household appliance being switched off;

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates the integration of multiple home devices into a system to provide ambient and/or night lighting; and

fig. 4 shows schematically a mobile terminal by means of which a setting can be made to emit light by means of a light source of at least one domestic appliance of the system in the event of a main switch of the domestic appliance being switched off.

In the figures, identical or functionally identical elements are provided with identical reference numerals.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a household appliance 1, which can be designed, for example, as a washing machine. When the household appliance 1 is designed as a washing machine, a receiving chamber 2 is provided in the household appliance 1 by means of a drum (not explicitly shown in fig. 1), in which laundry can be put in. The receiving chamber 2 can be closed by a door 3 of the household appliance 1, which door is shown in the off-state in fig. 1. As can be seen from fig. 1 in combination with fig. 2, the household appliance 1 has at least one light source 4.

When the light source 4 shown in fig. 1 is switched on, the receiving chamber 2, which is designed, for example, as a drum, is illuminated or illuminated (see fig. 2). In a household appliance 1 designed as a washing machine, the central region of the door 3 is embodied in a light-transmitting manner. Thus, even if the door 3 is closed, the light of the light source 4 reaches the environment 5 of the household appliance 1 (see fig. 2).

The household appliance 1 has a switching device 6, which is schematically shown in fig. 1. For example, the switching device 6 can be designed as a main switch of the household appliance 1. In order to operate the household appliance 1 as prescribed or as desired, the switching device 6 needs to be brought into the on state.

For example, by actuating the switching device 6 designed as a main switch, the switching device 6 can be brought from the off-state to the on-state. Then, for example, by operating the program selection means 7, a desired washing program can be set, which is run after the program has been started. If the domestic appliance 1 is designed as a washing machine as shown in fig. 1, it is the domestic appliance 1 that performs such a washing program as prescribed or as desired of the domestic appliance 1.

In this example, the household appliance 1 has a control device 8, which is shown schematically in fig. 1. The control means 8 switch on the light source 4. In this example, this can be done even if the switching device 6 of the household appliance 1 is in an off-state. In other words, the control device 8 turns on the light source 4 even if the switching device 6 (e.g., the main switch of the household appliance 1) is in an off state. Thus, the light source 4 can be used even if the switching device 6 is not in the on state and thus no defined operation of the household appliance 1 is possible at all.

Similarly, when the domestic appliance 1 is a dishwasher 9 and/or a cooking appliance 10 and/or a further domestic appliance 11, the switching on of the light source 4 can also be controlled by the control device 8 of the domestic appliance 1, wherein such an appliance or domestic appliance is schematically indicated in fig. 3 by a respective symbol. Common to these devices is that they all have a control device 8 (not explicitly shown in fig. 3) which is designed such that the at least one light source 4 can be switched on even if the switching device 6 is in the off-state.

Thereby, ambient lighting and/or night light may be provided by the at least one light source 4 of the household appliance 1, which is already present in the reverse direction. For this purpose, advantageously, no separate light emitting device is required, apart from the household appliance 1. The emission of light into the environment 5 of the household appliance 1 is thus a meaningful auxiliary function, which co-exists with the actual main function of the household appliance 1. The main function is the defined operation of the household appliance 1.

If the household appliance 1 has a door 3 which can close the receiving chamber 2, the control device 8 preferably can switch on the at least one light source 4 no matter whether the door 3 is closed or open, or no matter how far the door 3 is open. This applies in particular to the case where the domestic appliance 1 is designed as a washing machine (see fig. 1) or as a cooking appliance 10 or as a dishwasher 9 (see fig. 3).

According to fig. 3, when the domestic appliance 1 is designed as a washing machine, for example, a light source 4 and/or other light sources for illuminating the drum can be used as light sources. For example, the at least one light source controllable by the control device 8 may belong to the display screen 12 of the household appliance 1 or be provided by the display screen 12. In this respect, it can be seen from fig. 2 that the luminescent display screen 12 can be used in addition to or as an alternative to drum lighting for providing, for example, ambient lighting or night lighting for the room in which the household appliance 1 is located.

Furthermore, the household appliance 1 shown in fig. 1 may also have a door light 13 as the at least one light source (see fig. 3), for example in the form of a light-transmitting zone around the door 3 or a lighting ring or the like encircling the door 3. Additionally or alternatively, a status light 14 (see fig. 3) of the domestic appliance 1 can also be used as the at least one light source, which can be controlled by the control device 8. Such status lights 14 may be used during prescribed operation of the household appliance 1 to indicate prescribed operation of the household appliance 1. For example, the status indicator light 14 may be mounted on the front side of the home device 1. Especially in case the front side of the household appliance 1 is covered by a panel, the status light 14 may project a light spot onto the face of the environment 5 of the household appliance 1, e.g. onto the floor 15 where the household appliance 1 is located (see fig. 2).

Even in the case where the household appliance 1 is designed as a cooking appliance 10 (see fig. 3), the display 12 of the cooking appliance 10 can be controlled to emit light by the control device 8 when the switching device 6 of the cooking appliance 10 is in the off state. Similarly, as is the cooking chamber lamp 16 of the cooking apparatus 10, for example, the cooking chamber lamp 16 is designed to emit light to a receiving chamber of the cooking apparatus 10 formed as a cooking chamber when the cooking apparatus 10 is in a prescribed operating state. In the case of the cooking appliance 10 being switched off, i.e. the switching device 6 (not shown in fig. 3) of the cooking appliance 10 being in the off state, the control device 8 can still switch the display 12 on and/or the cooking chamber lamp 16 on, so that light is emitted into the environment 5 of the household appliance 1.

For a household appliance, which is designed for example as a dishwasher 9 (see fig. 3), it is also possible to design, in addition to the display screen 12 and/or the status light 14, or as an alternative to the display screen 12 and/or the status light 14, a room light 17 as the at least one light source, which can be controlled by the control device 8 of the dishwasher 9 if a defined operation of the dishwasher 9 (i.e. dishwashing) is not possible when the switching device 6 of the dishwasher 9 is brought into the off-state. Similarly, this also applies to the at least one light source 4 of the other household appliance 11, which is schematically shown in fig. 3 but whose function is not explained in detail.

For example, such a light source 4 of the other household appliance 11 may be a corresponding light source 4 of a range hood and/or a light source 4 of a coffee maker and/or a room light of a wine cabinet and/or a light source 4 in a suction nozzle area of the household appliance 11 designed as a vacuum cleaner, etc.

In this case, as shown by way of example with reference to fig. 1 and 2, at least one light source 4 of such a further domestic appliance 11 can be used for a domestic appliance 1 in the form of a washing machine to provide ambient lighting and/or luminous light without the respective further domestic appliance 11 being in a defined operating state and accordingly fulfilling the primary function assigned to the domestic appliance 11, preferably given the name of the domestic appliance 11.

This is illustrated by way of example in a domestic appliance 1 in the form of a washing machine as shown in fig. 1 and 2. Accordingly, the household appliance 1 has an extended availability in that at least one light source 4 emits light to the environment 5 independently of the main purpose of the household appliance 1, i.e. independently of the purpose fulfilled in the intended use or in the intended operation, so that other purposes are fulfilled in the manner of an intelligent light source 4.

Preferably, the user can individually predetermine the operating parameters for the respective household appliance 1 or a group of household appliances 1, 11, for example in the form of the dishwasher 9 and/or the cooking appliance 10 mentioned by way of example in the present example, when operating the at least one light source 4.

In particular, the predetermined at least one operating parameter may comprise: when at least one criterion is fulfilled, the light source 4 is switched on completely by the control device 8. Furthermore, it is advantageous if the control means 8 can vary the intensity of the light emitted by the light source 4 and/or the color of the light and/or the emission period. For example, the control means 8 may cause the light source 4 to flash or to emit light permanently over a longer predetermined period of time.

In order to enable the control device 8 to switch on the at least one light source 4 even when the switching device 6 is in the off state, it is checked by the control device 8 in this case whether the at least one criterion is fulfilled. If the at least one criterion is fulfilled, the control means 8 switch on the at least one light source 4. Preferably, the control device 8 may check a plurality of criteria in order to switch on the at least one light source 4 when one or more or all criteria are met.

For example, the control device 8 may check whether a signal is received from a timer 18 or timer of the household appliance 1, which is only schematically shown in fig. 1, and/or a timer or timer (not shown here) external to the household appliance 1, which signal may comprise, for example, a start time and/or an end time and/or an on period after the start of the start time and/or an on period before the end time arrives, or the like. Furthermore, the signal of the timer 18 may especially indicate whether the at least one light source 4 should be switched on repeatedly. If such repetition is provided, the signal provided by the timer 18 may indicate, for example, that the switching on of the at least one light source 4 is to be repeated daily, or at least one selected day of the week, or the like. Furthermore, such repetition may also be synchronized by triggering events and/or sensor signals, etc.

As a criterion, the control device 8 may additionally or alternatively check whether there is a user input by a user of the household appliance 1. For example, such user input can be in the form of voice commands and/or can also be transmitted to the household appliance 1 by a switch (not shown here), preferably a programmable switch or similar. By actuating a switch external to the domestic appliance 1, the user can inform the control device 8 that there is a user input as the at least one criterion, which user input causes the control device 8 to switch on the at least one light source 4.

Schematically shown in fig. 1: the household appliance 1 may comprise receiving means 19 designed for receiving signals. Such a signal may indicate that a particular trigger event exists. For example, the triggering event may be that a window of a home in which the home appliance 1 is located is darkened by a privacy device 28 (see fig. 3), e.g. in the form of a roller blind or the like. If the triggering event is to operate the privacy device 28 in order to darken the window, this information may be implemented by the control device 8 in the following manner: i.e. the at least one light source 4 is switched on upon occurrence of the triggering event.

Additionally or alternatively, the triggering event may also include switching on a light emitting device 20 (see fig. 3) external to the device that is in communication with the central network device 21. For example, the network device 21 may be designed as a router in a home.

Fig. 1 also schematically shows a sensor 22 outputting a signal 23. This signal is transmitted to the control device 8, for example by means of the receiving device 19. Fig. 3 shows a photosensor 24, a motion sensor 25, an air quality sensor 26 and a sound sensor 27 as an example of a design of the at least one sensor 22. However, in addition to the sensor 22 shown by way of example in the present example, other sensors can also be integrated into the system shown in fig. 3, in particular via the network device 21.

According to fig. 1, the at least one receiving device 19 of the household appliance 1 can be designed to receive a signal 29, which signal 29 indicates that a system 30 has been activated, which system is designed as an external system 30 with respect to the household appliance 1. For example, the external system 30 may be designed as a (particularly intelligent) lighting system 31 and/or a music playing system 32 and/or an intelligent home system 33 or a multimedia system 34 or similar (see fig. 3). However, the list of external systems 30 (which can also be designed to communicate with the network device 21 according to fig. 3) which are external to the domestic appliance 1 is merely exemplary. For example, the control of the at least one light source 4 of the household appliance 1 by the control device 8 can advantageously be synchronized with the function of such an external system 30 by coupling with the music playing system 32 and/or the multimedia system 34.

Similar to the triggering event described herein, the switching on of the at least one light source 4 may be terminated when the receiving means 19 of the domestic appliance 1 detects a corresponding event. For example, the triggering event may fail, so that an event may occur, which is checked by the control means 8, thereby terminating the illumination of the at least one light source 4. For example, if the privacy means 28, for example in the form of at least one shutter and/or roller blind, is opened, this may be detected as an event terminating the illumination of the at least one light source 4 under the control of the control means 8.

This is also the case, for example, if the external system 30, such as the (preferably intelligent) lighting system 31 and/or the music playing system 32 and/or the multimedia system 34, is switched off. Likewise, placing the switching means 6 in the on-state will also cause the control means 8 to first switch off the at least one light source 4. However, in particular during the prescribed use or operation of the household appliance 1, the at least one light source 4 of the household appliance 1 may be in an active state.

The application of operating the light source 4 on the basis of control by the control means 8 will be illustrated below. For example, if night light and/or ambient lighting is to be provided by a household appliance 1 in the form of a washing machine, the light source 4 serving as drum lighting may be switched on according to fig. 2. In this case, it is preferable that a plurality of operation parameters can be set as necessary. For example, it may be provided that the light source 4 is operated at maximum intensity. For example, neutral white light may be designated as a light color, such as neutral white light having a color temperature of 4000K. In terms of frequency or time period, the light source 4 may be designated to be continuously illuminated when the light source 4 is used as ambient lighting or a night light. The time before and after sunset may be selected as the start time of the operation of the light source 4, and the time before and after sunrise may be selected as the end time. Furthermore, for example, the number of repetitions per day may be set so that the light source 4 of the domestic appliance 1 can be used daily to provide ambient lighting and/or night light.

For example, the mobile terminal 35 schematically shown in fig. 3 and 4 may be used to set the above-described operation parameters. According to fig. 3, an application 36, for example for controlling smart home devices in a home network, may be installed on a mobile terminal, for example a smart phone and/or a tablet computer. However, a dedicated application 37 may also be installed on the terminal device 35 for setting the operating parameters. In other words, the dedicated or separate application 37 need not be used to control other smart home devices in the network. Additionally or alternatively, the above-described settings may also be made through a user interface (e.g., display 12) of the appliance 1.

Another application is visual fire alerting. In this case, it can be provided in particular that all the light sources, for example the display screen 12 of the household appliance 1 and at least one further light source 4, are switched on as a function of the control device 8. Additional parameters or operating parameters can be preferably specified here. For example, the function of providing ambient lighting and/or night lights may be turned on and the intensity of each light source may be set to a maximum. For example, red may be used as the light color as long as the light source 4 and/or the display screen 12 are capable of emitting red light. Otherwise, if the user is to be made aware of the visual fire alarm by the light sources, these light sources may emit neutral or white light.

In the case of such a visual fire alarm, the defined end time and start time are not significant. Instead, an endless operation of the at least one light source 4 can be provided, so that the presence of an alarm can be displayed, in particular by flashing, i.e. alternating switching on and off of the at least one light source 4 or the display screen 12. The number of repetitions of such a visual fire alarm may be set to "one" because such a fire alarm is event-dependent and therefore periodic activation is of little significance. For example, a signal indicating the occurrence of a fire alarm may be used as a triggering event.

Such a signal may be issued, for example, by a smoke detector, preferably a smart smoke detector, located in the same home and/or by the application 37 if, for example, the application 37 contains an alarm function for a fire alarm or similar emergency event.

The user may set the operating parameters of the visual fire alarm via the display 12 and/or the mobile terminal 35 and (in the latter case) communicate the operating parameters to the household appliance 1 (see fig. 3), for example by using the network device 21.

Another situation is to provide an additional light source in the kitchen. In this case, at least one light source of the cooking apparatus 10 may take the form of a display screen 12 and/or a cooking chamber lamp 16 or the like, for example, functioning as a night light. Like the household appliance 1 shown in fig. 1, the cooking appliance 10 may also comprise a display 12, in particular in the form of a touch screen. When the switching device 6 is in the off state, a virtual operating element 38 (see fig. 1) is displayed on the display 12. By actuating the virtual operating element 38, at least one light source, for example the cooking chamber illumination lamp 16, can be switched on or off. In this application, it is also preferable to be able to predetermine certain operating parameters as set values.

For example, the operating parameters may include: cooking apparatus 10 is fully utilized to provide ambient lighting or a night light. The illumination intensity of the light source (e.g., the cooking chamber illumination lamp 16) may be set to a maximum intensity. Furthermore, a light color corresponding to neutral white of a color temperature, for example, 4000K, may be set. As the on and off frequency, the operation parameter may be set to "continuous" so that the cooking chamber lamp 16 does not blink, but is continuously turned on immediately after the virtual operating element 38 is manipulated. The length of the operating time need not be specified here, since switching on and off can be effected by the operating element 38. Furthermore, no duplication is required. This is because the switching on of additional light sources in the kitchen, for example the cooking chamber illumination lamp 16, can be carried out as desired by the user of the cooking appliance 10, in that the user manipulates the virtual operating element 38.

As a further application, an integration with the lighting system 31 and/or the music playing system 32 should be illustrated. In this case, the at least one light source 4 of the household appliance 1 and/or the dishwasher 9 and/or the cooking appliance 10 shown in fig. 1 can be operated synchronously with the lighting system 31 and/or the music playing system 32. In this case, it can also be provided that, in principle, ambient lighting and/or night lights are provided by the respective device. However, when the intensity and/or the light color and/or the switching frequency are set beforehand (for example in the form of a flashing), a synchronization with at least one system 30 (for example in the form of a lighting system 31 and/or a music playing system 32) may be provided.

Such intelligent dynamic lighting schemes as exemplified above may improve security, in particular by sounding an alarm, and/or improve comfort when using the domestic device 1.

According to fig. 3, the network device 21 can be connected to a server 39, which is associated with the household appliance 1, 11 and the dishwasher 9 and the cooking appliance 10, which are mentioned in this example. The network device 21 may furthermore be connected to a music server 40, which may in particular provide a music streaming service, for example when the music playing system 32 is running. Furthermore, at least one further server 41 is also exemplarily shown in fig. 3, by means of which further server further services can be accessed by the network device 21.

According to fig. 4, the individual household appliances 1, 11 or the dishwasher 9 and/or the cooking appliance 10 can be accessed on the mobile terminal 35 via the individual menu options 42 in order to make the above-mentioned exemplary settings of the operating parameters on these appliances. Furthermore, it is also possible to determine whether the at least one light source 4 of the household appliance 1 provides ambient lighting or night light, for example by accessing a higher level menu item 43.

In summary, these examples illustrate how the display screen 12 and/or other light sources 4 of the household appliance 1, among other things, are used to provide ambient lighting and/or night lights.

List of reference numerals

1 household appliance

2 receiving room

3-door

4 light source

5 Environment

6 switch device

7 program selecting device

8 control device

9 dish washer

10 cooking apparatus

11 household appliance

12 display screen

13 door lamp

14 state indicator lamp

15 bottom part

16 cooking chamber lamp

17 inner chamber lamp

18 timer

19 receiver

20 light source

21 network device

22 sensor

23 signal

24 light sensor

25 motion sensor

26 air quality sensor

27 sound sensor

28 privacy device

29 signals

30 system

31 Lighting System

32 music playing system

33 intelligent home system

34 multimedia system

35 terminal equipment

36 application program

37 application program

38 operating element

39 server

40 music server

41 server

42 menu options

43 menu items.

Claims

1. A household appliance (1) having: at least one light source (4) for emitting light to an environment (5) of the household appliance (1); a switching device (6) which can be brought from an off-state into an on-state, wherein the switching device (6) is brought into an on-state in order to operate the domestic appliance (1) as intended,

it is characterized in that the method comprises the steps of,

the household appliance (1) has a control device (8) which is designed to check whether at least one criterion is fulfilled and to switch on the at least one light source (4) when the at least one criterion is fulfilled, even if the switching device (6) is in an off state.

2. The household appliance (1) according to claim 1, wherein the control device (8) is designed for checking a signal of a timer (18), in particular of the timer (18) of the household appliance (1), as the at least one criterion.

3. A household appliance (1) as in claim 1 or 2, wherein the control means (8) are designed for checking the presence of user input as the at least one criterion, wherein the user input can be made by a user of the household appliance (1).

4. The household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control device (8) is designed to check for the presence of at least one triggering event as the at least one criterion, wherein the household appliance (1) comprises receiving means (19) for receiving a signal indicating the presence of the at least one triggering event.

5. Household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control device (8) is designed to check the signals of at least one sensor (22), in particular a light sensor (24) and/or a motion sensor (25) and/or a sound sensor (27) and/or an air quality sensor (26), as the at least one criterion.

6. Household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control means (8) are designed for changing the light intensity and/or the light color and/or the lighting period by controlling the at least one light source (4).

7. Household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the operating element (38) can be displayed by means of a display screen (12) of the household appliance (1) when the switching device (6) is in the off-state, wherein the control device (8) is designed for detecting an operating action by a user of the household appliance (1) on the operating element (38) and for determining that the at least one criterion is fulfilled when the operating action is detected.

8. The household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control device (8) is designed for switching on the at least one light source (4) as a function of an activation of a lighting system (31) and/or a music playing system (32) and/or a multimedia system (34) external to the household appliance (1), wherein the household appliance (1) has a receiving device (19) which is designed for receiving a signal (29), wherein the signal (29) is indicative of an activation of the lighting system (31) and/or the music playing system (32) and/or the multimedia system (34).

9. The household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one light source belongs to a display screen (12) of the household appliance (1), in particular to a display screen (12) designed for operating the household appliance (1).

10. The household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one light source (4) is designed for illuminating a receiving chamber (2) of the household appliance (1), which receiving chamber can be closed by means of a door (3) of the household appliance (1), which door in particular has at least one light-transmitting region, wherein at least one object arranged in the receiving chamber (2) can be treated by a defined operation of the household appliance (1).

11. The household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one light source (4) at least partially surrounds a door (3) of the household appliance (1) and/or wherein the at least one light source (4) is designed for indicating a defined operation of the household appliance (1) if the switching device (6) is brought into the on state.

12. Method for operating a household appliance (1), wherein at least one light source (4) of the household appliance (1) emits light to an environment (5) of the household appliance (1), wherein a switching device (6) of the household appliance (1) can be brought from an off-state into an on-state, wherein the switching device (6) is to be brought into the on-state in order to operate the household appliance (1) as specified, characterized in that the household appliance (1) has a control device (8) which checks whether at least one criterion is fulfilled and, if the at least one criterion is fulfilled, switches on the at least one light source (4) and the switching device (6) is in the off-state.