Method for Controlling a Kitchen Appliance System

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for controlling a kitchen appliance system (100), preferably for automatically processing at least one working stage (12.1) of a recipe (12) for preparing a dish (11), with the aid of a central control device (15) having at least one user input device (15.2) and an interface (15.3), the kitchen appliance system (100) comprising at least two kitchen appliances (10) which are entered in an appliance list and each kitchen appliance (10) from the appliance list having an interface (10.9), whereby this can be controlled by the central control device (15), wherein each kitchen appliance (10) has at least one appliance function (10.7), which can be selected and/or set by at least one parameter (10.8), in order to carry out at least one working stage (12.1) from the recipe (12) for the preparation of the food (11) automatically by the respective appliance function (10.7) of the kitchen appliance (10). According to the invention, it is provided that the user input device (15.2) has a user interface (16) for displaying and controlling the method, the user interface (16) having at least one foldable and unfoldable overview panel (18) which, in the folded state (I) of the overview panel (18), displays parameters (10.8) of a kitchen appliance (10) of the kitchen appliance system (100) and, in an unfolded state (II) of the overview panel (18), displays at least partially or the entire appliance list of the kitchen appliance system (100), wherein parameters (10.8) of at least each active kitchen appliance (10) with the respective appliance function (10.7) are displayed. Furthermore, the invention is also directed to a device for controlling a kitchen appliance system (100), preferably for automatically processing at least one stage (12.1) of a recipe (12) for preparing a food (11).

Claims

1. A method for controlling a kitchen appliance system, for automatically processing at least one working stage of a recipe for preparing a meal, with the aid of a central control device having at least one user input device and an interface, wherein the kitchen appliance system comprises at least two kitchen appliances registered in an appliance list and each kitchen appliance from the appliance list has an interface, whereby it can be controlled by the central control device, wherein each kitchen appliance has at least one appliance function which is at least selectable or adjustable by at least one parameter in order to perform at least one working stage from the recipe for the preparation of the food automatically by the respective appliance function of the kitchen appliance, wherein the user input device has a user interface for displaying and controlling the method, wherein the user interface comprises at least one foldable and unfoldable overview panel, which, in the folded state of the overview panel, displays parameters of a kitchen appliance of the kitchen appliance system, and in an unfolded state of the overview panel displays at least partially or the entire appliance list of the kitchen appliance system, wherein parameters of at least each active kitchen appliance with the respective appliance function are displayed.

2. The method for controlling according to claim 1, wherein in the folded state of the overview panel of only one kitchen appliance of the kitchen appliance system exclusively parameters about at least one current appliance function is displayed and in an unfolded state of the overview panel, the appliance list of the kitchen appliance system is displayed, each kitchen appliance from the appliance list being symbolized with an icon and having an equipment name.

3. The method for controlling according to claim 1, wherein for each kitchen appliance in the appliance list at least one activation marker is displayed in the foldable and unfoldable overview panel, the activation marker indicating whether at least the kitchen appliance is switched on or off the kitchen appliance can at least be reached or controlled by the method at least one appliance function of the kitchen appliance is active.

4. The method for controlling according to claim 1, wherein a change between the folded and the unfolded state of the overview panel takes place by means of an activation, wherein the activation is controllable by at least a manual selection or a trigger signal or by an incoming warning signal from a kitchen appliance or time-dependent.

5. The method for controlling according to claim 1, wherein several kitchen appliances are combined into at least one appliance class.

6. The method for controlling according to claim 1, wherein in the folded state of the overview panel the displayed kitchen appliance is displayed by a first mode adjustable by the user or predefined and in the unfolded state of the overview panel the appliance list can also be displayed in a second mode adjustable by the user or predefined, wherein the order of the kitchen appliances in a 1. Mode the appliance by appliance classes, 2. Mode the appliance according to their activity 3. Mode the appliance according to a prioritization, 4. Mode the appliance according to a (time) sequence of the next working stages from the recipe and 5. Mode the appliance after a warning signal are displayed.

7. The method for controlling according to claim 1, wherein the user interface also has at least one control panel for at least one appliance function of the kitchen appliance in addition to the overview panel which can be folded and unfolded.

8. The method for controlling according to claim 1, wherein the user interface of the user input device displays individual panels which simultaneously at least serve as input keys or scroll bars for controlling the method by the central control device, whereby at least one device function of a kitchen appliance is triggered on the basis of entered parameters which have been entered with the aid of the user interface.

9. The method for controlling according to claim 1, wherein the user interface has a main information panel with control panels for the method, the overview panel being integrated in the main information panel in the folded state, and wherein the control panel is displayed together next to the main information panel.

10. The method for controlling according to claim 9, wherein the overview panel in the unfolded state at least partially overlaps the control panel in order to be able to select the kitchen appliance to be controlled from the appliance list.

11. The method for controlling according to claim 1, wherein the interface of the respective kitchen appliance is configured as a wireless interface.

12. A device for controlling a kitchen appliance system, for automatically executing at least one working stage of a recipe for preparing a meal, having a central control device, and at least one user input device and one interface, wherein the central control device is adapted to perform the method according to the preceding claims.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the device itself is configured as a kitchen appliance and the kitchen appliance comprises at least a container for the preparation of the food, an agitator which projects into the container, and the central control device with at least the user input device and the interface.

14. The device of claim 12, wherein the device itself is configured as a computer, laptop, tablet, smart phone or smart TV.

15. A computer program product comprising instructions which cause the device according to claim 12 to execute the method.

16. The method for controlling according to claim 2, wherein the exclusively parameters are: Time information, about the remaining time of the appliance function Temperature, setpoint or actual temperature Weight or type of food Stirring function, stirring stage or speed Heating operation at the oven Moisture specification Fan operation Filling level Consumption level etc.

17. The method for controlling according to claim 2, wherein parameters of each kitchen appliance with the respective appliance function are displayed section by section at the same time.

18. The method for controlling according to claim 4, wherein at least an incoming trigger signal or warning signal from a kitchen appliance changes the overview panel in such a way, that the corresponding kitchen appliance is displayed with a warning.

19. The method for controlling according to claim 7, wherein the control panel of the kitchen appliance and the folded overview panel are displayed simultaneously.

20. The method for controlling according to claim 11, wherein the interface is configured as a short-range radio technology interface or local wireless network connection interface, wherein a protected encrypted data exchange takes place via the interfaces.

Description

[0070] Further measures and advantages of the present invention result from the claims, the following description and the drawings. Likewise, the disclosed features from the device according to the invention also apply to the method according to the invention and vice versa. In the drawings, the invention is illustrated in different embodiments. In this connection, the features mentioned in the claims and in the description may each be essential to the invention individually or in any combination. They show:

[0071] FIG. 1 Schematic representation of a user interface with a folded overview panel,

[0072] FIG. 2 Similar representation of the user interface from FIG. 1, but with an unfolded overview panel,

[0073] FIG. 3 Similar user interface as in FIG. 2, with different activation markers in the expanded overview panel,

[0074] FIG. 4 Schematic representation of a device according to the invention, in the form of a kitchen appliance with an (integrated) central control device, the kitchen appliance being equipped with complex functions,

[0075] FIG. 5 Schematic diagram of the entire kitchen appliance system with various kitchen appliances,

[0076] FIG. 6 Schematic representation of a further device according to the invention, in the form of a tablet with an (integrated) central control device and the user interface for controlling the process, and

[0077] FIG. 7 Schematic representation of the unfolded overview panel (of a recipe) with arrangement of the panels for the respective kitchen appliances with device names and parameters according to a Kanban representation.

[0078] In the following figures, the identical reference signs are used for the same technical features even of different embodiments.

[0079] FIG. 1 shows a schematic user interface 16 of a central control device 15 for display and control of the method according to the invention for automatic processing of at least one working stage 12.1 of a recipe 12 for preparation of a food 11. This user interface 16 is shown on a display 15.2b of a user input device 15.2 (as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5). The user interface 16 has several areas or panels, which are divided into a main information panel 17, an overview panel 18, which is an unfold panel, at least one control panel 19, a recognition panel 20, and a control panel 21. Thereby, these panels can be arranged next to each other on the user interface 16 to provide a good overview for the user.

[0080] The main information panel 17, which is preferably arranged horizontally in the upper area of the user interface, is subdivided into individual control panels 19, such as an input key back 19.5, an input key forward 19.6, an input key option 19.7 and/or an input key home 19.8. Furthermore, the overview panel 18 is also arranged in the main information panel 17 in the folded state I (see FIG. 1). Thereby, at least the current parameters 10.8 (in panels 18.1 for the parameters) of the current kitchen appliance 10 are visible in the folded overview panel 18 (see FIG. 8). This gives the user a direct overview of which parameters 10.8 of the currently active kitchen appliance 10 are present. For the parameters 10.8, both the preset target values and the actual values for the respective appliance function 10.7 can be displayed (see FIGS. 8 and. 9). The device function 10.7 can be symbolized by icon 25 to get a better overview. Likewise, an icon 22 for the respective active kitchen appliance 10 can also be displayed in the folded overview panel 18, preferably at the left edge of the overview panel 18.

[0081] As can be further seen from FIG. 1, there is preferably a recognition panel 20 below the main information panel 17, in which the device name of the current kitchen appliance 10 can be displayed. Also, this recognition panel 20 can indicate the respective working stage 12.1 from the recipe 12. In the control panel 21, which is preferably arranged below the recognition panel 20, the current state of the current kitchen appliance 10 is displayed, wherein also an instruction for the current working stage 12.1 is indicated for the user. For this purpose, the control panel 21 can be divided into a status panel 21.1 (for the kitchen appliance with its parameters) and an instruction panel 21.2 (for a work instruction for the user), as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0082] The special feature of the folded overview panel 18 is now that the current device function 10.7 of the current kitchen appliance 10 with its parameters 10.8 are displayed directly without any action on the part of the user. Thereby, the user can select and prioritize the (automatically changing) display of the corresponding kitchen appliance 10 on the basis of his specifications via a first mode, as already listed. Thus, the user immediately receives the information which kitchen appliance 10 is currently active and what the exact state of the executed and current appliance function 10.7 looks like in detail. If, for example, a warm indication occurs with one of the kitchen appliances 10 from the appliance list, this goods indication can cause the unfolded overview panel 18 to immediately display the kitchen appliance 10 with the warning indication in the overview panel. It is also conceivable that the overview panel automatically unfolds as a result of this warning notice in order to display the current kitchen appliance 10 with the warning notice, preferably at the top.

[0083] To provide the user with an overview of all kitchen appliances 10 from the appliance list of the kitchen appliance system 100, he can switch to the unfolded overview panel 18 (from FIG. 2) by selecting and activating the folded overview panel 18 (from FIG. 1). In the unfolded state II of the overview panel 18 the respective kitchen appliance 10 from the appliance list with its appliance function 10.7 and its appliance parameters 10.8 is now displayed—in the present case line by line one below the other. If the size of the user interface 16 is not suitable for complete display of the unfolded overview panel 18, a scroll bar 19.2 can be provided for scrolling the kitchen appliances 10 displayed line by line in the unfolded overview panel 18. In order to provide an optimal overview for the user, in each line for a kitchen appliance 10 both an icon 22 for the kitchen appliance is symbolically represented and an appliance name in the panel 18.2 as well as the parameters 10.8 in the panels 18.2 to represent the current state. The icons 22 used provide an intuitive overview for the user of the respective kitchen appliances 10 in the respective row from the unfolded overview panel 18. In this context, it is also conceivable that the existing kitchen appliances 10 are sorted or grouped in the second modes (1. to 5.) already mentioned in the list shown. In FIG. 3, for example, a bar for marking 24 the two additional thermometers 10.5 is shown as one type of device. As has been mentioned, another grouping or sorting can also be achieved by the adjustable modes.

[0084] An activation marker 23 can be provided so that the user can intuitively determine which kitchen appliance 10 is currently active or requires a manual action or has sent out a warning message, even when the overview panel 18 is unfolded. This activation marker 23 may, for example, consist of a symbol, such as an asterisk (“*”) in the present case (see FIGS. 2 and 3). Also, the icon 22 itself can serve as an activation marker 23, for example by an inversion of the icon 22, as shown in FIG. 3, to the additional thermometer 10.5, see the last two lower icons 22 in the list of the unfolded overview panel 18. Alternatively, the kitchen appliance 10 that requires a manual action could be at the top in the unfolded state (II) of the overview panel 18 or in the second position, since the main appliance 10 (kitchen appliance 10 defined by the user) is always displayed in the first position, if applicable.

[0085] It is also clear from both FIGS. 2 and 3 that the unfolded overview panel 18 at least partially overlaps the underlying control panel 21, so that areas of the control panel 21 that have not been overlapped are still visible, however. These underlying areas can also be set off by color or brightness to improve the overview.

[0086] In the control panel 21 of FIG. 1, the current state of the respective kitchen appliance 10 is shown in the status panel 21.1 and the next, here manual, stage 12.1 involves the addition of 200 grams of water, which is shown in the instruction panel 21.2.

[0087] FIG. 2 shows an example of the overview panel 18 in the unfolded state II, in each case with the kitchen appliances 10 from the appliance list shown in detail line by line. By selecting and activating a kitchen appliance 10 (in the respective line), the user can immediately switch to this appliance 10, which is then displayed accordingly in the control panel 21. In the case of the last two kitchen appliances 10, meaning the two appliances from the last two lines, namely the microwave oven and the electric pan, the name or designation and the current parameters 10.8 relating to the kitchen appliances 10 are displayed in detail. According to this, the microwave oven 10 (penultimate line) with the designation “MW turbo 7” has a heating process with circulating air by a fan with level 2 at currently 123° C. (actual temperature), whereby the set temperature is set to 160° C. The heating process of the furnace is to continue for another 4 min (remaining time). The electric pan 10 from the last line of the overview panel 18 is labeled “Pan X”. The current actual temperature is 140° C. and has thus reached the preset target temperature of 140° C. The remaining time of the frying process is displayed as 17 min. In FIG. 2, the displayed kitchen appliances 10 are not sorted by appliance class, as can be seen from the different appliance symbols on each line.

[0088] As has been mentioned before, the respective kitchen appliances 10 can be grouped according to appliance classes and displayed line by line (in the overview panel 18 in the unfolded state II) (see FIG. 3—last two lines). The appliance classes include, among others, partially automated and fully automated cooking mixers, ovens, simple cooking and stirring appliances (with a reduced range of functions, e.g. purely manual operation of the working stages), pans or temperature sensors, which can be identified and grouped via a (appliance class) icon. There may be several (similar) kitchen appliances 10 per appliance class, which may be arranged, for example, line by line or area by area and also depending on the runtime from left to right. In the first line, for example, a partially automated and fully automated cooking mixer is indicated by a (device class) icon 22. This icon 22 can simultaneously serve as an activation marker 23, in which it is displayed, for example, with a different color or inversely to the other icons 22. The activation marker 23 for a kitchen appliance 10 may also comprise a separate symbol or icon (here “*”), as mentioned above. In the last two lines of the unfolded overview panel 18, two additional thermometers are shown grouped into a device class adjacent to and below each other. By grouping them into device classes, an optical affiliation can also be established for the user in a simple manner, which can additionally be visually emphasized by a marking 24, for example, in the form of a bar or a border, etc.

[0089] In order to facilitate the overall control of the method according to the invention, the control panels 19 are provided in the main information panel 17. Through this, it is possible to either go forward or backward in the recipe 12 through the respective control panels, or to jump to the starting point through the home key, or to select various options through the option key (e.g. selection of the mode).

[0090] FIG. 4 shows a device 110 according to the invention in the form of a kitchen appliance 10. This kitchen appliance 10 is designed as a kitchen appliance 10.1 with complex functions. The individual appliance functions 10.7 include, for example, appliance function 10.7a as a stirrer, appliance function 10.7b as a heater, appliance function 10.7c as a scale, and appliance function 10.7d as a heater. In addition, there may be other device functions 10.7, but these are not shown in FIG. 4. Furthermore, the device 110 has the central control device 15 to be able to monitor and control the kitchen appliance system 100 as a whole. For this purpose, a data memory 15.1 is provided, as well as user input device 15.2 and interface 15.3, and a data processing unit 15.4. The present method may be stored as a computer program (product) in the data memory 15.1 and is processed by the data processing unit 15.4. The user input device 15.2 may have a multi-part design, namely a display 15.2a and a multi-function knob 15.2b. Advantageously, the user input device 15.2 itself is designed as a touch screen. However, insofar as a display 15.2a without touch function is used, a cursor can be used to select and activate a control panel 19 or other panel of the user interface 16. The cursor can be controlled here, for example, by the multifunction knob 15.2b, whereby the multifunction knob 15.2b itself can be designed to be rotatable, pivotable and pressable.

[0091] FIG. 5 shows a complete kitchen appliance system 100 with various kitchen appliances 10. The process according to the invention takes place on the device 110, which is shown as a kitchen appliance 10 with complex functions. In the kitchen appliance system 100, there is also provided, for example, a kitchen appliance 10.2 in the form of a blender, a kitchen appliance 10.3 in the form of an oven, a kitchen appliance 1.4 in the form of a stove, and a kitchen appliance 10.5 in the form of an auxiliary thermometer. Of course, other kitchen appliances 10 (having different or similar appliance functions) may be present with this system 100. The respective kitchen appliances 10 communicate with the device 110 according to the invention via data connections 13, which are preferably designed as wireless connections. For this purpose, the respective kitchen appliances 10 each have a (data) interface, which may be designed as a WLAN or WiFi or UWB or Bluetooth interface or other short-range radio technologies or local wireless network connections. In the kitchen appliance 10.3, which is designed as an oven, a food 11 is also shown, just as in the pan 10.12 of the kitchen appliance 10.4 in the form of a stove.

[0092] The special feature in the present kitchen appliance system 100 is now to be seen in the fact that this is at least partially automatically actuated and controlled by the process according to the invention (with all kitchen appliances 12) on the basis of a selected recipe 12. In order to provide the user with an intuitive and optimal overview of the respective situation and state of the process, the corresponding user interface 16 is provided.

[0093] Instead of the kitchen appliance 10.1 with complex function (from FIGS. 4 and 5), a device 110, such as the tablet from FIG. 6, can also serve. In this case it is advantageous that the central control device 15 with its further elements is already completely integrated in such a tablet. Also, in the case of a tablet, the user input device 15.2 is present in order to map the user interface 16, as already mentioned. Since usually such a device 110 also has a camera 112 and a speaker 113, as well as a key 111 if necessary, other functions such as online help or participation in a chat room can also easily take place.

[0094] FIG. 7 shows, for example, an overview panel 18 in the unfolded state II in a block display (kanban display), where the respective kitchen appliances 10.1 are each shown in a block with the respective appliance names 18.2 and the current parameters 18.1. This allows a user to directly obtain a comprehensive overview of the respective kitchen appliance 10 with the (next to be executed) working stages 12.1 from the recipe 12.

[0095] In FIGS. 1 and 2, exemplary details of the user interface 16 are shown for better understanding. In particular, the overview panel 18 in the folded state I with the respective parameters 18.1 is shown in detail in FIG. 1. Then, a cooking process of 9 minutes takes place, where the set target temperature is 100° C. and the current actual temperature has reached 43° C. At the same time, a stirring process takes place in stage 3 in the kitchen appliance 10.

[0096] The foregoing explanation of embodiments describes the present invention solely in the context of examples. Individual features of the present invention can also be freely combined with one another within the scope of the claims, provided that this is technically expedient.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0097] 10 Kitchen appliance, especially with central control devices [0098] 10.1 Kitchen appliance, especially with complex functions [0099] 10.2 Kitchen appliance, especially blender [0100] 10.3 Kitchen appliance, especially oven [0101] 10.4 Kitchen appliance, especially stove [0102] 10.5 Kitchen appliance, especially additional thermometer [0103] 10.7 Appliance function [0104] 10.7a Appliance function as stirrer [0105] 10.7b Appliance function as heater [0106] 10.7c Appliance function as a scale [0107] 10.7d Appliance function as heater [0108] 10.8 Parameters, in particular setpoint and/or actual value [0109] 10.9 Interface from 10 [0110] 10.10 Container for 11 [0111] 10.11 Lid for 10.10 [0112] 10.12 Pan/pot [0113] 12 Food [0114] 12 Recipe [0115] 12.1 Working stages from 12 [0116] 13 Connection (via interface) [0117] 15 Central control device [0118] 15.1 Data storage [0119] 15.2 User input device [0120] 15.2a Display [0121] 15.2b Multifunction knob [0122] 15.3 Interface from 15 [0123] 15.4 Data processing unit, in particular microprocessor [0124] 16 User interface [0125] 17 Main information panel [0126] 18 Overview panel, foldable and unfoldable [0127] 18.1 Parameter panel [0128] 18.2 Panel for device name [0129] 19 Control panel [0130] 19.1 Input key [0131] 19.2 Scroll bar [0132] 19.5 Input key back [0133] 19.6 Input key forward [0134] 19.7 Input key Option [0135] 19.8 Input key Home [0136] 20 Recognition panel [0137] 21 Control panel [0138] 21.1 Status panel for 10 [0139] 21.2 Instruction panel for working stage [0140] 22 Icon for 10 [0141] 23 Activation marker, especially for 10 [0142] 24 Marking [0143] 25 Parameter icon [0144] 100 Kitchen appliance system [0145] 110 Device [0146] 111 Key [0147] 112 Camera [0148] 113 Speaker [0149] 120 Computer program product [0150] I Folded state of 17 [0151] II Unfolded state of 17