Dishwasher, method for operating a dishwasher, and computer program product

Abstract

A dishwasher includes a memory unit for storing a number of washing programs, a control device configured to carry out a washing program from the number of washing programs; and a communication unit configured to retrieve a specific washing program from an external device in accordance with a status information relating to an external household appliance, and to store the retrieved specific washing program in the memory unit, said control device carrying out the stored specific washing program.

Claims

1. A dishwasher, comprising: a washing compartment; a memory unit for storing a number of washing programs; a control device configured to carry out a washing program from the number of washing programs; and a communication unit configured to retrieve a specific washing program from an external device in accordance with a status information relating to a removable component of an external household appliance, the removable component of the external household appliance being configured to be removed from the external household appliance and disposed in the washing compartment of the dishwasher and washed, and the communication unit being configured to store the retrieved specific washing program in the memory unit, said control device carrying out the stored specific washing program; wherein the communication unit receives the status information relating to the removable component from the external household appliance, directly or via a network; and wherein said status information includes at least one of a type of said external household appliance, a manufacturer of said external household appliance, information on said component of said external household appliance to be cleaned, a composition of said component of said external household appliance, or a maintenance condition of said external household appliance.

2. The dishwasher of claim 1, constructed in the form of a household dishwasher.

3. The dishwasher of claim 1, wherein the communication unit is configured to receive the status information via a direct communication link with the external household appliance.

4. The dishwasher of claim 1, wherein the communication unit is configured to receive the status information from the external device.

5. The dishwasher of claim 1, further comprising an input facility configured to capture a user input for making the status information available.

6. The dishwasher of claim 1, wherein the status information comprises an item of information relating to a presence of the external household appliance.

7. The dishwasher of claim 1, wherein the status information comprises an item of information relating to a type of the external household appliance.

8. The dishwasher of claim 1, wherein the status information comprises an item of information relating to a maintenance condition of the external household appliance.

9. The dishwasher of claim 1, wherein the communication unit is configured to retrieve an additional item of information from the external device in accordance with the status information, and further comprising an output facility configured to output at least one of the status information, a parameter depending on the status information, and the additional item of information.

10. The dishwasher of claim 1, wherein the specific washing program comprises at least one of a specific sequence of sub program steps, a specific washing liquor temperature, activation of a specific hydraulic circuit, dosing of a specific cleaning agent, and a predetermined envisioned arrangement of a component to be cleaned, belonging to the external household appliance.

11. The dishwasher of claim 1, wherein the communication unit is configured to establish a communication link to the external household appliance and/or a communication link to the external device via a cabled network and/or a communication link via a wireless network.

12. A method for operating a dishwasher, comprising: receiving, from an external household appliance, an item of status information relating to a removable component of the external household appliance by way of a communication unit of the dishwasher, the removable component of the external household appliance being configured to be removed from the external household appliance and disposed in a washing compartment of the dishwasher and washed, wherein the communication unit receives the item of status information from the external household appliance, directly or via a network; wherein said status information includes at least one of a type of said external household appliance, a manufacturer of said external household appliance, information on said component of said external household appliance to be cleaned, a composition of said component of said external household appliance, or a maintenance condition of said external household appliance retrieving a specific washing program from an external device in accordance with the status information received relating to the removable component of the external household appliance; storing the retrieved specific washing program in a memory unit; and carrying out the specific washing program by way of a control device.

13. A computer program product for operating a dishwasher, comprising a computer program embodied in a non-transitory computer readable medium, wherein the computer program, when loaded into a program-controlled device and executed by the program-controlled device, causes the program-controlled device to perform the steps of: receiving, from an external household appliance, an item of status information relating to a removable component of the external household appliance by way of a communication unit of the dishwasher, the removable component of the external household appliance being configured to be removed from the external household appliance and disposed in a washing compartment of the dishwasher and washed, wherein the communication unit receives the item of status information from the external household appliance, directly or via a network, wherein said status information includes at least one of a type of said external household appliance, a manufacturer of said external household appliance, information on said component of said external household appliance to be cleaned, a composition of said component of said external household appliance, or a maintenance condition of said external household appliance; retrieving a specific washing program from an external device in accordance with the status information received, storing the retrieved specific washing program in a memory unit, and carrying out the specific washing program by way of a control device.

14. The dishwasher of claim 1, wherein the component comprises at least one of a back plate or a grill rack for an oven, a glass turntable for a microwave, a filter insert for a fume extractor hood, a water tank and/or a coffee holder of a coffee machine, or a strainer insert of a deep fryer.

15. A dishwasher, comprising: a washing compartment; a memory unit for storing a number of washing programs; a control device configured to carry out a washing program from the number of washing programs; and a communication unit configured to retrieve a specific washing program from an external device in accordance with a status information relating to a removable component of an external household appliance, the external device which provides the specific washing program from a plurality of washing programs related to a plurality of components of a plurality of external household appliances; and wherein the removable component of the external household appliance is configured to be removed from the external household appliance and disposed in the washing compartment of the dishwasher and washed, and the communication unit is configured to store the retrieved specific washing program in the memory unit, said control device carrying out the stored specific washing program.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Further advantageous embodiments and aspects of the invention form the subject of the dependent claims and also the exemplary embodiments of the invention described below. In the following the invention is described in detail on the basis of preferred embodiments with reference to the enclosed figures.

(2) FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a dishwasher.

(3) FIG. 2 shows a further exemplary embodiment of a dishwasher and various external appliances in schematic form.

(4) FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of a further exemplary embodiment of a dishwasher; and

(5) FIG. 4 shows a schematic block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a method for operating a dishwasher.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

(6) In the figures identical or functionally identical elements are labeled with the same reference symbols unless otherwise indicated.

(7) FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a dishwasher 1. Here the dishwasher 1 is realized in the form of a household dishwasher 1. The household dishwasher 1 comprises a washing container 2, which can be closed by means of a door 3, which is in particular watertight. To this effect a sealing means (not shown) can be provided between the door 3 and the washing container 2. The washing container 2 is preferably cuboid in shape. The washing container 2 can be arranged in a casing of the household dishwasher 1. The washing container 2 and the door 3 can form a washing compartment 4 for washing articles.

(8) In FIG. 1 the door 3 is shown in its open position. The door 3 can be closed or opened by a pivoting movement around a pivoting axis 5 provided at the lower end of the door 3. A loading aperture 6 of the washing container 2 can be closed or opened with the aid of the door 3. The washing container 2 has a bottom 7, a top 8 situated opposite the bottom 7, a rear wall 9 arranged opposite the closed door 3, and two side walls 10, 11 arranged opposite each other. The bottom 7, the top 8, the rear wall 9, and the side walls 10, 11 can be fabricated from stainless steel sheet for example. Alternatively for example the bottom 7 can be fabricated from a plastic material.

(9) The household dishwasher 1 further has at least one shelf 12, 13, 14. Advantageously several shelves, for example three 12, 13, 14 can be provided, the shelf 12 possibly being a lower shelf or a lower basket, the shelf 13 an upper shelf or an upper basket, and the shelf 14 a cutlery shelf. As FIG. 1 further shows the shelves 12, 13, 14 are arranged above each other in the washing container 2. Each shelf 12 to 14 can be optionally moved in to the washing container 2 or out of same. In particular each shelf 12, 13, 14 can be pushed in to the washing container 2 in an insert direction E and pulled out of the washing container 2 in an extract direction A, opposite to the insert direction E.

(10) The household dishwasher 1 has a control device 100 arranged on the door 3. A communication unit 102 and memory unit 104 are further arranged on the door 3. These two units 102, 104 are shown separate from the control device 100 here but can also be integrated in to same. The memory unit 104 is set up to store data, a number of washing programs being stored in the memory unit 104 in particular. To carry out a washing program the control device 100 accesses the memory unit 104 for example, reads out the washing program to be carried out currently, and carries it out correspondingly. The memory unit 104 has at least one memory section (not shown) that is rewritable, that is to say data written there can be deleted and/or overwritten and replaced by new data. The communication unit 102 is set up for bidirectional communication with further communication units that are arranged in external appliances in particular (see FIG. 2).

(11) The communication unit 102 is set up in particular to retrieve a specific washing program SP from an external device 210 in accordance with an item of status information S (see FIG. 2) relating to an external household appliance 200, and to store the said washing program in the memory unit 104. The household dishwasher 1 is therefore set up to make a specific washing program SP available for every external household appliance 201, 202, 203, or every component 205 (see FIG. 3) of an external household appliance 201, 202, 203 that can be washed using the household dishwasher 1 for the purpose of maintenance or cleaning. It is therefore possible to ensure that the component 205 is not damaged or destroyed.

(12) The more detailed functioning of the household dishwasher 1 will now be explained with reference to FIG. 2. Alongside the household dishwasher 1, which in particular has all the features of the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 1 and also an input facility 106 and an output facility 108, FIG. 2 shows three external household appliances 201, 202, 203 and an external device 210.

(13) The household dishwasher 1 establishes a direct communication link K to one of the external household appliances 201, for example an automatic coffee machine, in particular by using the communication unit 102 (see FIG. 1). This is possible in particular if the automatic coffee machine 201 likewise has a communication unit. The household dishwasher 1 receives an item of status information S from the automatic coffee machine 201 via this communication link K. In this example the status information S comprises an unambiguous designation of the type of automatic coffee machine 201 so that the manufacturer, and in particular the components 205 (see FIG. 3) that are envisioned for disassembly for regular maintenance and cleaning, can be determined on the basis of the status information S. The status information S further comprises the information for example that the automatic coffee machine 201 is precisely in a maintenance mode, in which the coffee holder has currently been removed for cleaning.

(14) The household dishwasher 1 likewise establishes a communication link K to an external device 210, which is set up in particular as a server for making specific washing programs SP available. Via this communication link K the household dishwasher 1 can retrieve, in particular depending on the status information S that it received direct from the automatic coffee machine 201, a specific washing program SP that is particularly suitable for cleaning a component 205, in the present case for example the coffee holder of the automatic coffee machine 201. Via this communication link K the household dishwasher 1 can further retrieve additional detailed information relating to the automatic coffee machine 201, and make it available to the user via the output facility 108 for example.

(15) A further household appliance 202 is realized for example in the form of an oven, which has no communication unit. Consequently direct communication, in particular the transmission of an item of status information S relating to the oven 202 is not possible. In this case users of a household dishwasher 1 can make the status information S available themselves, for example via the input facility 106. In this case the input facility 106 is realized in the form of a keypad for example. Users of a household dishwasher 1 can input the status information S, for example by corresponding operation of the keypad 106 in conjunction with information reproduced by the output facility 108, which is realized for example in the form of an LCD screen. For example a selection list is displayed on the LCD screen 108, which the user scrolls through by using the input facility 106, and selects or inputs the list entry being searched for. Then for example various specific washing programs SP, which can be retrieved from the server 210 and are specifically suitable for the oven 202 or for various components 205 of the oven 202, can be suggested.

(16) A third household appliance 203, for example a fume extractor hood, establishes a direct communication link K with the server 210. The fume extractor hood 203 transmits an item of status information S to the server 210 via this communication link K. In this case for example the household dishwasher 1 receives the status information S from the server 210 and/or retrieves it from there. Once again, a specific washing program SP for components 205 of the fume extractor hood 203 can be retrieved from the server 210 in accordance with the status information S.

(17) Moreover additional information relating to the external household appliances 201, 202, 203, and also the household dishwasher 1, can be retrieved via the communication link K of the household dishwasher 1 with the server 210. For example provision can be made for specific replacement parts, accessories, and/or cleaning agents to be ordered directly via the communication link K.

(18) FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of a further exemplary embodiment of a dishwasher 1. The dishwasher 1 is again realized in the form of a household dishwasher 1 and optionally has all the features of the household dishwashers shown in FIG. 1 and/or FIG. 2.

(19) In particular the household dishwasher shown in FIG. 3 has a specific hydraulic system 110. The specific hydraulic system 110 can be permanently pre-installed or alternatively obtainable as a special accessory. In this example the specific hydraulic system 110 is set up in particular to clean a component 205, here shown as a coffee holder by way of example, of an external household appliance 201, 202, 203. In this regard the specific hydraulic system 110 is shaped such that the coffee holder 205 is optimally supported, and that the said coffee holder can be washed in particular from the inside, especially thoroughly, but at the same time also gently. In particular the specific hydraulic system 110 has the advantage that the energy and water consumption for the specific washing program SP to clean the coffee holder 205 can be substantially reduced compared to a conventional washing program. Furthermore for example the washing liquor temperature can be kept low so that the coffee holder 205 does not suffer any damage due to washing in the household dishwasher.

(20) FIG. 4 shows a schematic block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a method for operating a dishwasher 1, for example a household dishwasher according to one of FIGS. 1-3. The household dishwasher 1 is operated for example by a user in a household with various external household appliances 201, 202, 203 (see FIG. 2), such as an automatic coffee machine 201, an oven 202, and a fume extractor hood 203. The filter inserts of the fume extractor hood 203 are dirty for example, which the fume extractor hood 203 can detect by sensor technology. The fume extractor hood 203 has a communication unit for example and is situated in a direct communication link K with the communication unit 102 of the household dishwasher 1.

(21) In a first step S1 of the method the communication unit 102 receives an item of status information S from the fume extractor hood 203. The status information S comprises for example firstly information about the type, manufacturer, and model of the fume extractor hood 203, and secondly information about the maintenance condition, that is to say in the present case in particular that the filter inserts are dirty and should be cleaned.

(22) In a second step S2 the communication unit 102 retrieves a specific washing program SP from an external device 210 (see FIG. 2) in accordance with the status information S received. In particular the specific washing program SP can be made available by the manufacturer of the household dishwasher 1 taking account of the properties of the fume extractor hood 203. Alternatively the washing program can also be made available by the manufacturer of the fume extractor hood 203.

(23) In a third step S3 the retrieved specific washing program SP is stored in the memory unit 104.

(24) In a fourth step S4 the stored specific washing program SP is carried out by way of the control device 100. In particular the specific washing program SP is not executed until after corresponding activation by the user, for example if the said user has put in a possibly required specific cleaning agent for the specific washing program SP and inserted the filter inserts of the fume extractor hood 203 on a shelf 12, 13, 14.

(25) The method outlined can be applied correspondingly to other external household appliances 201, 202, 203 and the most diverse components 205.

(26) Although the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it can be modified in numerous ways. In particular already existing devices of the user, such as a smartphone and/or tablet, can be used for interacting with the user by way of a suitable application. To this extent the application can be regarded as a user interface relocated from the dishwasher, by means of which the dishwasher can be controlled. It is conceivable in this regard for indications of maintenance measures that are due soon to be given, and also instructions for carrying out such maintenance measures to be held ready, and suggestions for useful accessories, and in particular specific cleaning agents, and further such items, to be presented by means of the application, depending on the status information. Furthermore an augmented reality display is possible with the aid of such a mobile device, if it has a camera. An image of the dishwasher is then taken with the camera for example, which image can be output on the screen as a video image. By means of an overlay the video image additionally shows how the user arranges a given component to be cleaned optimally in the dishwasher. This supports the user in a very intuitive and easily understandable manner when using the dishwasher.