The present invention relates to a user interface for a domestic appliance, in particular for a cooking oven. The user interface comprises at least one input range and at least one display range. Further, the present invention relates to a domestic appliance, in particular a cooking oven.

In a user interface for a domestic appliance, information about the time, the temperature and other parameters are usually indicated by numeric values. Further, the information about said parameters may be represented by suitable symbols. However, it is often difficult for the user to recognise and interpret the meaning of the shown numeric values or symbols.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a user interface for a domestic appliance, which allows a clear representation of the relevant parameters.

The object is achieved by a user interface according to claim 1.

According to the present invention a user interface for a domestic appliance, in particular for a cooking oven is provided, wherein:

• the user interface comprises at least one input range and at least one display range,
• the input range includes at least one control element,
• the display range includes at least one numeric display,
• the display range includes at least one pair of a first display bar and a second display bar,
• the first display bar and the second display bar of one pair are arranged side-by-side and parallel to each other,
• the numeric display indicates a current value,
• the first display bar, in particular the length of said first display bar, represents said current value, and
• the second display bar, in particular the length of said second display bar, represents a range of said current value.

The core of the present invention is the redundant indication of the current value by the numeric display and the first display bar on the one hand and the parallel arrangement of the first display bar and the second display bar on the other hand, wherein the second display bar represents the range of the current value. The redundant indication of the current value by the numeric display and the first display bar allows an improved readability of the display range. The indication of the current value by the numeric display supports that the user understands the meaning of the first display bar. The indication of the current value by the first display bar in view of the second display bar clarifies the relationship between the current value on the one hand and a maximum value or the possible values on the other hand.

Preferably, in an operation mode of the domestic appliance the current value is a detected or detectable value, wherein the first display bar represents the detected or detectable current value, while the second display bar represents the range of said detected or detectable current value.

Contrary, in an adjusting mode of the domestic appliance the current value is an adjusted or adjustable value, wherein the first display bar represents the adjusted or adjustable current value, while the second display bar represents the range of said adjusted or adjustable current value.

For example, the first display bar represents a temperature value, while the second display bar represents the range of said temperature value.

In the operation mode of the domestic appliance the first display bar may represent a current temperature value in a treatment camber of the domestic appliance, while the second display bar may represent the range of said current temperature value.

Additionally, the display range may include at least one marker arranged beside or upon the second display bar, wherein the marker represents a set value, and wherein preferably the marker is activated in the operation mode of the domestic appliance.

In the adjusting mode of the domestic appliance the first display bar may represent a set value, while the second display bar may represent the range of said set value.

In particular, the set value is adjusted or adjustable by the control element, wherein preferably the control element is a rotary knob.

In the adjusting mode of the domestic appliance the first display bar may represent a set time value for a processing time, while the second display bar may represent the range of said set time value for a processing time.

Preferably, the second display bar is automatically enlarged or enlargeable, if the current value represented by the first display bar has been beyond the range represented by the second display bar.

Moreover, the display range includes at least one third display bar corresponding with the second display bar, wherein the third display bar and the corresponding second display bar are arranged side-by-side and parallel to each other, and wherein the third display bar, in particular the length of said third display bar, represents a base unit for the second display bar.

Additionally, the display range may include at least one text display and/or at least one symbolic display, wherein said text display and/or symbolic display indicate information relating to the current operation mode of the domestic appliance.

For example, the display range includes a time display for indicating the real time, wherein preferably the time display is a digital display.

Furthermore, the input range includes at least one stop switch for stopping or interrupting a process of the domestic appliance and/or at least one start switch for starting the process of the domestic appliance, wherein the stop switch is responsive and indicated in the operation mode of the domestic appliance, while the start switch is responsive and indicated in the adjusting mode of said domestic appliance.

Moreover, the input range may include an on-off switch for activating and deactivating the domestic appliance, wherein preferably the on-off switch is a touch key. Alternatively, a separate on switch and off switch may be provided.

At last, the present invention relates to a domestic appliance, in particular a cooking oven, wherein the domestic appliance comprises at least one user interface mentioned above.

Novel and inventive features of the present invention are set forth in the appended claims.

The present invention will be described in further detail with reference to the drawings, in which

FIG 1

illustrates a schematic front view of a user interface or a part of said user interface in an exemplary state according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention,

FIG 2

illustrates a schematic front view of the user interface or the part of said user interface in a further exemplary state according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention,

FIG 3

illustrates a schematic front view of the user interface or the part of said user interface in a further exemplary state according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention,

FIG 4

illustrates a schematic front view of the user interface or the part of said user interface in a further exemplary state according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention,

FIG 5

illustrates a schematic front view of the user interface or the part of said user interface in a further exemplary state according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, and

FIG 6

illustrates a schematic front view of the user interface or the part of said user interface in a further exemplary state according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG 1 illustrates a schematic front view of a user interface 10 or a part of said user interface 10 in an exemplary state according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The user interface 10 is provided for a domestic appliance. In this example, the user interface 10 is provided for a cooking oven.

The user interface 10 comprises an input range 12 and a display range 14. In this embodiment, the input range 12 and the display range 14 are formed as separate portions. Alternatively, the input range 12 and the display range 14 may partially or completely overlap. In the latter case, the user interface 10 may be formed as a touch screen, for example.

The input range 12 of the user interface 10 includes a control element 16 and an on-off switch 18. The control element 16 is provided for adjusting a value of a continuous or discrete range or spectrum. In this example, the control element 16 is a rotary knob. According to another example, the control element 16 may be a linear or circular touch slider. The on-off switch 18 is provided for activating and deactivating the cooking oven. In this example, the on-off switch 18 is a touch key.

The input range 12 of the user interface 10 includes further switches. In this example, a stop switch 20 is responsive and indicated by lighting. Said stop switch 20 is provided for stopping or interrupting a cooking process. The responsiveness of the stop switch 20 depends on the state of the cooking process. In contrast, a start switch 22 of the input range 12 is not responsive and therefore not indicated in this state.

The display range 14 of the user interface 10 includes a first display bar 24, a second display bar 26, a numeric display 28, a text display 30, a symbolic display 32, a marker 34 and a time display 36. The first display bar 24 and the second display bar 26 are arranged side-by-side and parallel to each other. The first display bar 24 represents a current value relating to the cooking process. In this example, the first display bar 24 represents a current temperature value of 165°C. The second display bar 26 represents a range of said value. In this example, the second display bar 26 represents a temperature range of a current operation mode. Said temperature range extends up to 300°C. The numeric display 28 also represents the current value of the cooking oven. In this example, the numeric display 28 indicates the current temperature value of 165°C. Further, the text display 30 indicates a current cycle, i.e. heating up an oven cavity, while the symbolic display 32 indicates the current operation mode, i.e. a fan cooking function, of the cooking oven. The marker 34 corresponds with the second display bar 26 and represents a set value. In this example, the marker 34 indicates a set temperature of 190°C. The time display 36 indicates the real time.

The redundant indication of the current temperature value by the first display bar 24 and the numeric display 28 allows an improved readability of the display range 14. The indication of the current temperature value by the numeric display 28 supports that the user understands the meaning of the first display bar 24. The indication of the current temperature value by the first display bar 24 in view of the second display bar 26 clarifies the relationship between the current temperature value and a maximum temperature value.

In FIG 1 the display range 14 of the user interface 10 indicates a heating-up phase of the cooking oven. The temperature in the oven cavity is currently 165°C, while the set temperature is 190°C. The cooking oven operates in the fan cooking function as shown by the symbolic display 32. The overall view of the first display bar 24 and the second display bar 26 clarifies the progress of the heating-up phase.

FIG 2 illustrates a schematic front view of the user interface 10 or the part of said user interface 10 in a further exemplary state according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The user interface 10 comprises the input range 12 and the display range 14. The input range 12 includes the control element 16 formed as rotary knob, the on-off switch 18 and the stop switch 20. The display range 14 includes the first display bar 24, the second display bar 26, the numeric display 28, the text display 30, the symbolic display 32, the marker 34 and the real time 36.

The display range 14 in FIG 2 relates to a heating-up phase for a steam cooking process. The first display bar 24 and the second display bar 26 are arranged side-by-side and parallel to each other. In this example, the first display bar 24 represents the current temperature value of 60°C, while the second display bar 26 represents the temperature range extending up to 100°C. The numeric display 28 also represents the current temperature value of 60°C in the cooking oven. The text display 30 indicates the heating-up phase, while the symbolic display 32 indicates the steam cooking process. The marker 34 corresponds with the second display bar 26 and represents the set temperature of 70°C. The overall view of the first display bar 24 and the second display bar 26 clarifies the progress of the heating-up phase. The time display 36 indicates the real time.

FIG 3 illustrates a schematic front view of the user interface 10 or the part of said user interface 10 in a further exemplary state according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The user interface 10 comprises the input range 12 and the display range 14. The input range 12 includes the control element 16 formed as rotary knob, the on-off switch 18 and the start switch 22. The display range 14 includes the first display bar 24, the second display bar 26 and the numeric display 28. The text display 30, the symbolic display 32, the marker 34 and the time display 36 are deactivated. Further, a clock symbol 38 is indicated beside the second display bar 26.

In this example, the start switch 22 is responsive and indicated by lighting. Said start switch 20 is provided for starting the cooking process. In contrast, the stop switch 20 of the input range 12 is not responsive and therefore not indicated. The responsiveness of the start switch 22 and stop switch 20 depends on the current state of the cooking process.

FIG 3 relates to an adjusting of the cooking time for the subsequent cooking process. The activated clock symbol 38 indicates that the first display bar 24 and the second display bar 26 represent the cooking time. The first display bar 24 and the second display bar 26 are arranged side-by-side and parallel to each other. In this example, the first display bar 24 represents a currently adjusted time value of twenty-six minutes, while the second display bar 26 represents the time range extending up to about one and a half hours. The numeric display 28 also represents the currently adjusted time value of twenty-six minutes. The text display 30, the symbolic display 32, the marker 34 and the time display 36 are deactivated. The time value represented by the first display bar 24 is adjustable by the control element 16.

FIG 4 illustrates a schematic front view of the user interface 10 or the part of said user interface 10 in a further exemplary state according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Also FIG 4 relates to the adjusting of the cooking time for the subsequent cooking process. The activated clock symbol 38 indicates that the first display bar 24 and the second display bar 26 represent the cooking time.

In this situation, the first display bar 24 represents the currently adjusted time value of one and a half hours, while the second display bar 26 represents the time range extending up to one and a half hours too. In this special situation the currently adjusted time value and the time range are equal. The numeric display 28 also represents the currently adjusted time value of one and a half hours and indicates "1 h 30 min". The text display 30, the symbolic display 32, the marker 34 and the time display 36 are deactivated. The time value represented by the first display bar 24 is adjustable by the control element 16.

FIG 5 illustrates a schematic front view of the user interface 10 or the part of said user interface 10 in a further exemplary state according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG 5 also relates to the adjusting of the cooking time for the subsequent cooking process. The activated clock symbol 38 indicates that the first display bar 24 and the second display bar 26 represent the cooking time.

In this situation, the first display bar 24 represents the currently adjusted time value of one and three-fourth hours, while the second display bar 26 represents the time range extending up to one and three-fourth hours too. Compared to FIG 3 and FIG 4, the time range represented by the second display bar 26 has been enlarged in FIG 5. Thus, the scale of the second display bar 26 in FIG 5 differs from those in FIG 3 and FIG 4. The scale of the second display bar 26 is variable and adaptable to the current situation. If the user adjusts a time value beyond the time range currently shown by the second display bar 26, then the time range of the second display bar 26 is automatically enlarged.

Preferably, the display range 14 includes a third display bar 40 arranged beside the second display bar 26. The second display bar 26 and the third display bar 40 are arranged parallel to each other. The third display bar 40 represents a base unit for the time range represented by the second display bar 26. In this example, the third display bar 40 represents the time unit of one hour for the second display bar 26. The indication of the base unit by the third display bar 40 clarifies the scale of said second display bar 26.

FIG 6 illustrates a schematic front view of the user interface 10 or the part of said user interface 10 in a further exemplary state according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG 6 also relates to the adjusting of the cooking time for the subsequent cooking process. The activated clock symbol 38 indicates that the first display bar 24, the second display bar 26 and the third display bar 40 represent the cooking time.

In this situation, the first display bar 24 represents the currently adjusted time value of seven hours and forty minutes, while the second display bar 26 represents the time range extending up to eight hours. Compared to FIG 5, the time range represented by the second display bar 26 has been enlarged in FIG 6 again. Thus, the scale of the second display bar 26 in FIG 6 differs from that in FIG 5. The scale of the second display bar 26 has been adapted to the current situation. The third display bar 40 represents the time unit of one hour for the second display bar 26 and clarifies the enlarged scale of said second display bar 26. For example, the maximum timer range represented by the second display bar 26 may be twenty-four hours.

Preferably, the first display bar 24, the second display bar 26 and the third display bar 40 are represented by different colours and/or by different designs. This contributes to the clarity of the representation by the display range 14. Further, the responsive stop switch 20 and the start switch 22 may be indicated by different colours.

Although the current temperature value and the adjusted time value with the corresponding ranges are represented by the user interface 10 in the example mentioned above, the display range 14 of the inventive user interface 10 is provided for representing arbitrary parameters values.

The user interface according to the present invention is provided for an arbitrary domestic appliance, like a cooking oven, a microwave oven, a cooking hob, a dishwasher, a washing machine, a laundry dryer and a washer dryer.

Although an illustrative embodiment of the present invention has been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to that precise embodiment, and that various other changes and modifications may be affected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. All such changes and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

10

user interface

12

input range

14

display range

16

control element

18

on-off switch

20

stop switch

22

start switch

24

first display bar

26

second display bar

28

numeric display

30

text display

32

symbolic display

34

marker

36

time display

38

clock symbol

40

third display bar