[0001] The present invention relates to a household appliance with a user interface for
visualizing control information and for inputting commands for controlling the operation
of the household appliance.
[0002] In general terms, the household appliances to which the invention relates comprise:
- a housing which delimits a treatment seat adapted to receive and/or to support one
or more household products (linen, crockery, food products, furniture surfaces, fabrics)
in a treatment position to subject them to a desired treatment;
- one or more treatment devices arranged inside the housing which can be actuated to
perform one or more specific treatments in the treatment position;
- one or more treatment detector devices arranged inside the housing and configured
to detect one or more values of the treatment parameters of the treatment to which
the domestic product is subjected in the treatment position,
- optionally, one or more anomaly detectors arranged inside the housing and configured
to detect one or more operating anomalies of the household appliance,
- an electronic control system arranged in the housing and in signal connection with
the treatment device and with the treatment detector and configured to control the
treatment device in dependency of a treatment program and in dependency of the values
detected by the treatment detector,
- a user interface in signal connection with the electronic control system to allow
the user to select (parameters of) a treatment program of the domestic product and
for visualizing parameters of the selected and/or running treatment program.
[0003] In the household appliances of the prior art, the user interface is formed in one
or more fixed positions of the housing or of the treatment seat (refrigerator) and
comprises one or more buttons or knobs or capacitive touch sensors and, possibly,
visual indicators, e.g. warning lights or a liquid crystal display (TFT) or OLED.
US2012327201 A1 discloses a projected display, onto the surface of an appliance, of a user interface
that can be utilized to make selections regarding the operation of the appliance.
DE102012106181A1 discloses a household appliance having a display device for displaying appliance
information, where the display device has a projector for projecting the appliance
information on a projection area.
US2010182136A1 discloses a method of control of appliances, kitchen and home.
[0004] The user interfaces of the household appliances of the prior art were satisfactory
at a time in which the development of strategies and treatment parameters, OSDs, communication
data and electronic control went hand in hand with the development of processing apparatuses,
with the evolution of the design of the household appliance housings and with the
average lifetime of the appliances.
[0005] In the current state, the domestic product treatment strategies, the electronic control
and data communication technology, the amount of treatment data and parameters available
and potentially usable for controlling household appliances and the aesthetic design
of the household appliance housings are rapidly evolving and frequently, one either
conflicts or "lags behind" the other.
[0006] A reason for dissatisfaction of known household appliances is the impossibility of
providing user interfaces that are sufficiently large and extended to display large
amounts of treatment control information, without spatial interference with other
components of the household appliance.
[0007] A further reason for dissatisfaction with known household appliances is the conflict
between the need for flat and extended housing surfaces to position a liquid crystal
display (TFT) or OLED and the desire for an innovative design of the appliance with
curved surfaces and with freely definable colors and surface structures.
[0008] A further reason for dissatisfaction with known household appliances is the conflict
between the need to have very large openings and access doors or hatches, the relatively
small outer dimensions being the same, in order to facilitate the loading of the household
products in the household appliance and the need to provide, often on the same front
walls of the appliance, free spaces for installing the user interface.
[0009] A further reason for dissatisfaction with known household appliances is that, today,
a specific concept of user interface must be designed in close connection with a specific
project of the household appliance and its exterior design, making it difficult to
transfer a new concept of user interface to a preexisting household appliance, the
exterior design of which one wishes to keep or to another type of household appliance
having a different external shape.
[0010] Thus, it is the object of the present invention to provide a household appliance
with a user interface having features such as to avoid at least some of the drawbacks
of the prior art.
[0011] It is a further object of the invention to provide an appliance with a user interface
having features such as to be easily adaptable to household appliances with non-continuous
surfaces, e.g. in the presence of moving parts (hatch, door, detergent drawer) and/or
non-planar parts, and which can be easily applied and transferred between housings
with different aesthetic design, versatile with reference to display size, to the
information to be visualized and to the input commands to be allowed.
[0012] These and other objects are achieved by a household appliance with a user interface
according to claim 1. The dependent claims relate to advantageous and preferred embodiments.
[0013] According to an aspect of the invention, the display means of the user interface
comprise at least one video projector mounted onto the household appliance at its
outer wall and configured to visualize, by means of a light projecting process onto
a display area of the outer surface of the housing.
[0014] The visualization by means of light projection allows to make user interfaces with
a display field that is sufficiently large and extended for visualizing a large amount
of treatment control information, without any spatial interference with the various
components which form the outer surface of the household appliance.
[0015] Visualizing by means of light projection also allows a visualization on interrupted
surfaces or on surfaces consisting of areas of different structure and/or color, as
well as on non-planar surfaces and thus allows an innovative aesthetic design of the
household appliance with curved surfaces and with freely definable colors and surface
structures.
[0016] Visualizing by means of light projection also allows very large openings and access
doors or hatches in order to facilitate the loading of the domestic products to be
treated, without any need to provide additional spaces devoted exclusively to visualization
only, the visualization being possible, at least in part, on the same access doors
(e.g. in the case of an oven, a refrigerator or a laundry or dish washing/drying machine)
or even on the treatment seat (e.g. in the case of a cook top or an ironing board)
if the latter forms part of the outer surface of the housing.
[0017] The video projector can be at least partially concealed by the housing and its dimensions
do not depend on the size or direction of the performed light projection. This facilitates
the transfer of a user interface concept between household appliances with different
exterior designs.
[0018] According to a further aspect of the invention, the user command insertion means
comprise at least one command input sensor adapted to detect a positioning and/or
a movement of the user's hand at the display area, and the electronic control system
comprises association means which:
- associate the detected hand position and/or movement with command input fields visualized
by means of the video projector (e.g. buttons, knobs, virtual sliders) in the display
area, and
- generate corresponding command input signal.
[0019] The electronic control system is configured to set the treatment program parameters
in dependency of the generated command input signals.
[0020] Further advantageous aspects of the invention will be apparent from the following
description of some embodiments provided by way of non-limiting example with reference
to the accompanying figures, in which:
- figures 1 - 5 are perspective views of a washing machine according to an embodiment
of the invention,
- figure 6 is a front view of a cooking oven according to an embodiment of the invention,
- figures 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d are diagrammatic section views of a detail of the user interface
of the household appliance according to embodiments,
- figures 8a, 8b are section views of a detail of the housing of the household appliance
at a display area according to embodiments,
- figure 8c is a front view of a detail of the housing of the household appliance at
a display area according to an embodiment,
- figure 9 is a diagrammatic view of a washing machine according to an embodiment;
- figure 10 is a diagrammatic view of a tumble dryer according to a further embodiment
of the invention,
- figure 11 is a diagrammatic view of a washing and drying machine according to a further
embodiment of the invention;
- figure 12 is a diagrammatic view of a dishwasher according to an embodiment;
- figure 13 is a diagrammatic view of a domestic cooking oven according to an embodiment,
- figure 14 is a diagrammatic view of the functional groups of a domestic microwave
oven according to an embodiment.
- figure 15 is a diagrammatic view of the functional groups of an electric or induction
cook top according to an embodiment,
- figure 16 is a diagrammatic view of the functional groups of a gas cook top according
to an embodiment,
- figure 17 is a diagrammatic view of the functional groups of a refrigerator according
to an embodiment,
- figure 18 is a diagrammatic view of the functional groups of a freezer according to
an embodiment,
- figure 19 is a diagrammatic view of the functional groups of a vacuum cleaner according
to an embodiment,
- figure 20 is a diagrammatic view of the functional groups of an ironing system according
to an embodiment.
[0021] With reference to the figures, a household appliance 1 comprises:
- a housing 2 with an outer wall 3 forming an outer surface 4 of the household appliance
1,
- a treatment seat 5 adapted to receive and/or support domestic products in a treatment
position 6,
- at least one treatment device 7 arranged inside the housing 2 which can be operated
to perform a treatment at the treatment position 6 and subjecting the domestic product
to said treatment,
- at least one treatment detector 8 arranged at least partially inside the housing 2
and configured to detect a value of a treatment parameter of the treatment performed
by the treatment device 7,
- optionally, at least one anomaly detector 9 arranged at least partially inside the
housing 2 and configured to detect a value indicative of an operating anomaly of the
household appliance 1,
- an electronic control system 10 arranged in the housing 2 and in signal connection
with the treatment device 7 and with the treatment detector 8 and configured to command
the treatment device 7 in dependency of a treatment program and in dependency of the
value detected by the treatment detector 8,
- a user interface 11 in signal connection with the electronic control system 10, said
user interface 11 comprising:
- command insertion means 12 for inputting commands (by a user) for selecting parameters
of the treatment program and for inputting a command for executing the treatment program,
and
- display means 13 which visualize the selectable parameters of the treatment program
and/or visualize treatment parameters during the execution of the treatment program.
[0022] According to an aspect of the invention, the display means 13 comprise at least one
video projector 14 mounted onto the household appliance 1 at the outer wall 3 and
configured to visualize, by means of a light projecting process onto a display area
15 of the outer surface 4 of the housing 2.
[0023] According to a further aspect of the invention, the user command insertion means
12 comprise at least one command input sensor 16 adapted to detect a positioning and/or
a movement of the user's hand at the display area 15, and generate a corresponding
hand position and/or movement signal. The electronic control system 10 and/or the
user interface 19 comprises an interpretation and association module which receives
and processes the hand position and/or movement signal and generates a user command
signal in dependency of which the electronic control system 10 sets the treatment
program parameters and/or controls the display, by means of the video projector 14.
Detailed description of the display area 15 of the outer surface 4
[0024] According to an embodiment, in the areas of the outer surface 4 provided to implement
the visualization by projecting of light, the outer surface 4 is colored and treated
so as to have a higher light reflectivity with respect to an area which is not intended
for visualization.
[0025] According to a further embodiment, in the display area 15, the outer surface 4 may
be either continuous or discontinuous, e.g. formed by parts of the appliance 1 connected
to one another without mutual continuity of the outer surface and/or moving parts.
[0026] According to an embodiment, in the areas of the outer surface 4 intended for implementing
the visualization by projecting light, the outer surface 4 may be planar or non-planar,
e.g. curved.
[0027] According to an embodiment, the household appliance 1 comprises a door 18 for closing
the treatment seat 5 during the execution of the treatment program and the display
area 15 may extend at least also on the part of the outer surface 4 formed by the
door 18.
[0028] According to an embodiment, the treatment seat 5 is exposed directly to the outside
of the household appliance 1 and forms at least part of the outer surface 4, and the
display area 15 extends at least also on the part of the outer surface 4 formed by
the treatment seat 5.
[0029] According to an embodiment, the housing 2 of the appliance 1 forms an auxiliary access
opening for an accessory (e.g. a detergent drawer, a bag of powder, a filter, a condensation
collection drawer) of the one or more treatment devices 7, which can be closed by
an auxiliary cover 19 during the execution of the treatment program, and the display
area 15 can extend at least also on the part of the outer surface 4 formed by the
auxiliary cover 19.
Detailed description of the video projector 14
[0030] According to an embodiment, the household appliance 1 comprises a single video projector
14.
[0031] According to a further embodiment, the household appliance 1 comprises a plurality
of said video projectors 14 configured to project light onto one same display area
15 and/or onto a plurality of said display areas 15 which are distinct and at a distance
or adjacent to each other.
[0032] The individual video projectors 14 may be positioned on two opposite or different
sides of the display area 15 and project in opposite directions or in different directions,
in order to avoid the appearance of shadows when approaching of the user's hand to
the display area 15.
[0033] In the event of multiple light projections on the same display area, the video projectors
14 are configured and controlled by the electronic control system 10 so that the light
wavelengths and/or the lighting frequency are compatible and do not imply destructive
interferences of the projected light.
[0034] According to an embodiment, the electronic control system 10 or the video projector
14 comprises anti-distortion means configured to calculate and generate a pre-counter-distorted
image to be projected, e.g. by means of rectangle-to-trapezium pre-counter-distortion,
in the opposite direction with respect to an inclined projection, e.g. from rectangle
to trapezium, of the image projected onto the outer surface 4 because of the light
cone of the video projector 14 and of the inclination of the projection axis with
respect to the outer surface 4 in the display area 15.
[0035] The pre-counter-distortion of the image occurs in dependency of the projection cone
angle and of the inclination angle of the projection axis of the video projector 14
with respect to the outer surface 4 in the display area 15, so as to compensate the
projection distortion. In this manner, it is possible, for example, to obtain a projected
image with a rectangular or circular or oval contour, symmetrical with respect to
two perpendicular symmetry axes.
[0036] According to embodiments, the one or more video projectors 14 may comprise one or
more of:
- LCD video projector (liquid crystal display video projector)
- DLP video projector (micro-mirror video projector)
- LCoS video projector (Liquid Crystal on Silicon)
- D-ILA Video projector (Digital Direct Drive - Image Light Amplifier)
- SXRD video projector (Silicon X-tal Reflective Display)
- LP video projector (laser video projector), e.g. monochromatic,
- DLP video projector (Digital Light Processing)
[0037] With particular advantage, in order not to interfere with the aesthetic design of
the housing 1, the one or more video projectors 14 are configured as micro or pico
projectors.
[0038] According to an embodiment, the video projector 14 is positioned entirely inside
the housing 2 on an inner side 20 of the outer wall 3 and performs the light projection
through a window opening 21 formed in the outer wall 3. The window opening 21 may
be a through opening or protected by a protective wall 22 which is transparent and/or
which can be opened and closed by means of a protective cover 23 and/or by means of
a shutter 24. This allows to conceal and protect the video projector 14.
[0039] According to an embodiment, the video projector 14 comprises an inner part 25 located
entirely inside the housing 2, i.e. on an inner side 20 of the outer wall 3, and an
outer part 26 positioned completely outside the housing 2, i.e. on an outer side of
the outer wall 3, wherein the volume of the inner part 25 is greater than the volume
of the outer part 26. This reduces the visual impact of the video projector on the
aesthetic appearance of the household appliance.
[0040] According to an embodiment, the video projector 14 is supported in a concealable
and movable manner between a rest position inside the housing 2 and a work position,
in which the video projector 14 protrudes at least partially outside the housing 2.
[0041] According to an embodiment, the position and/or orientation of the video projector
14 are adjustable, e.g. by means of the electronic control system 10.
[0042] Similarly, the position of the display area 15, or in other words the position of
the display, is adjustable, e.g. by means of the electronic control system 10.
[0043] The appliance 1 or the video projector may comprise a sharpness detector and/or a
focal length detector, e.g. an optical sensor, and be configured for autofocus in
dependency of a sharpness or focal length signal generated by the sharpness or focal
length detector.
[0044] The control system 10 may also be configured to visualize, by means of the video
projector 14, alarms or warnings directly at a component (e.g. door 18, auxiliary
door 19, detergent drawer, filter holder) to which the alarm or warning relates, preferably
in response to anomaly signals supplied by the anomaly detector 9 or in response to
command insertion signals 16 supplied by the command insertion sensor 16, wherein
the component or quantity to detect/monitor falls within the scope of detection of
such detectors/sensors 9, 16.
[0045] The warning or alarm visualization may comprise, for example, one or more of:
- a "component displaced" warning, e.g. door open if the door 19, 19 is not properly
closed or detergent drawer extracted if the detergent drawer is not fully inserted,
- a "missing component or substance" or "insert component or substance" warning, e.g.
"replace filter" if a filter is missing or needs to be replaced, or "filling detergent"
if a level of the treatment substance is below a minimum level.
[0046] According to a further embodiment, the user interface 19 or the video projector 14
can comprise an audio interface 51 controlled by the electronic control system 10
to emit sound alerts (e.g. sounds, voice) in addition to the visualization operations
of the video projector 14 and, possibly, so as to clarify acoustically the displayed
information.
[0047] The features described with reference to a video projector 14 apply to at least one,
some or all of the video projectors 14 in the case of a plurality of projectors 14.
Detailed description of the command insertion sensor 16
[0048] According to an embodiment, the command insertion sensor 16 comprises a proximity
or touch sensor, e.g. capacitive, applied to the outer wall 3 in the display area
15. The touch sensor may comprise a film or a support panel on which an array of conductor(s)
of the capacitors is formed, e.g. arranged according to Cartesian coordinates.
[0049] According to a further embodiment, the command insertion sensor 16 comprise one or
more radar interaction sensors arranged either at or near the display area 15 and
configured to recognize the position and movement of the user's hand in the immediate
vicinity of the display area 15, e.g. to recognize a plurality of movements of the
index finger or of the index finger and thumb of the user's hand, e.g. the so-called
slider dial motions, rotary dial motions, zoom motions and pan motions.
[0050] According to a further embodiment, the command insertion sensor 16 comprises one
or more optical interaction sensors arranged near the display area 15 and configured
to recognize the position and movement of the user's hand in the immediate vicinity
of the display area 15, e.g. to recognize a plurality of movements of the index finger
or of the index finger and thumb of the user's hand, e.g. the so-called slider dial
motions, rotary dial motions, zoom motions and pan motions.
[0051] The optical interaction sensor may comprise, for example, a video camera and an interpretation
software for interpreting the images recorded by the camera.
[0052] According to a further embodiment, the command insertion sensors 16 comprise one
or more infrared light sources and corresponding optical sensors configured to recognize
the position and movement of the user's hand in the immediate vicinity of the display
area 15, e.g. to recognize a plurality of movements of the index finger or of the
index finger and thumb of the user's hand, e.g. the so-called slider dial motions,
rotary dial motions, zoom motions and pan motions.
[0053] According to the invention, the same command insertion sensor 16 is further configured
to monitor and/or verify the position and/or movements (e.g. vibrations) of moving
or extractable parts (door 18, auxiliary cover 19, detergent drawer) which fall within
its field or scope of detection.
[0054] According to a further embodiment, the command insertion means 12 may comprise an
audio sensor or microphone adapted to detect audio user commands (in particular, voice
commands) and to generate a corresponding voice signal. The electronic control system
10:
- processes the voice signal and generates a corresponding user command signal,
- sets the parameters of the treatment program in dependency of the generated user command
signal,
- controls the display, by means of the video projector 14, in dependency of the generated
user command signal.
[0055] The features described with reference to a command insertion sensor 16 apply to at
least one, some or all of the command insertion sensors 16 in the case of a plurality
of said command insertion sensors.
Description of processing and interpretation of the user commands
[0056] According to an embodiment, the interpretation and association module associates,
e.g. by comparison of position, the detected position and/or the movement of the hand
in one or more command input fields 17 visualized by means of the video projector
14 in the display area 15, and generates the user command signal in dependency of
such association.
[0057] According to a further embodiment, the interpretation and association module interprets
detected single positioning (touches) of the hand or finger associated with individual
visualized command input fields 17 as parameter selection movements, e.g. from a plurality
of different treatment parameters, and generates the user command signal in dependency
of such interpretation.
[0058] According to a further embodiment, the interpretation and association module interprets
detected continual movement (sliding) of the hand or finger associated with individual
visualized command input fields 17 as parameter value adjustment movements (slider
dial motions) and generates the user command signal in dependency of such interpretation.
[0059] According to a yet further embodiment, the interpretation and association module
interprets detected continual and relative movements (relative sliding) of multiple
detected fingers but not necessarily associated with given command input fields 17
as visualization adjustment and/or selection movements and generates the user command
signal in dependency of such interpretation.
[0060] Examples of movements and adjustment and/or visualization selection commands include
zooming, panning, scrolling between multiple different screens, moving in the entire
display area 15, enlarging/reducing the entire display area 15.
[0061] According to an embodiment, the steps of interpreting the movements of the user's
fingers may comprise steps of comparing characteristic parameters of the corresponding
position and/or hand movement signals with reference parameters indicative of a plurality
of predefined movements.
[0062] According to a further embodiment, the steps of interpreting the movements of the
user's fingers may comprise steps of calculating vector paths performed by the fingers.
[0063] The electronic control system 10 performs, by means of the video projector 14, a
confirmation visualization of a user's command signal generated as a function of the
aforesaid hand positioning and/or movement.
[0064] According to embodiments, confirmation visualization of the user's inputted command
may comprise one or more of the following:
- a visualization, possibly highlighted, of an option or of a treatment program parameter
to confirm the selection of the option or parameter,
- a variation of the treatment parameter selection menu,
- a visualization of a written alert, e.g. "start of treatment program" or "interruption
of treatment program" or "household appliance off",
- a change in the display characteristics.
[0065] According to an embodiment, in addition to the recognition of the position of the
user's hand or finger on the display area 15 and the association of the hand or finger
position with a corresponding visualized command input field 17, the one or more insertion
command sensors 16 may also be configured to detect and recognize a plurality of movements
of the index finger or of the index finger and thumb of the user's hand, e.g. the
so-called slider dial motions, rotary or arc dial motions, as well as zoom in/out
motions, video pan motions, the latter not necessarily specifically referred to a
visualized command input field 17, but corresponding to the gestures of the touchscreen
controls known from the touchscreen tablet computers.
[0066] According to embodiments, the command input fields 17 may be visualized as images
of one or more buttons, knobs, sliders, scales of values, or simple areas or fields,
all possibly identified by a corresponding symbol, which represents e.g. a treatment
parameter and/or one or more selectable values of a treatment parameter, and/or navigation
command symbols for navigating between different command input menues, and/or edit
or customization command symbols, such as zoom and/or brightness and/or language and/or
shape of the display area 15 and/or position/displacement of the display area 15.
[0067] According to an embodiment, the electronic control system 10 of the household appliance
1 can be connected in a communication network, e.g. via Wi-Fi or using Bluetooth,
with an external electronic device 52, e.g. a smart phone or tablet computer, and
adapted to be controllable, e.g. configurable or upgradeable, by means of the external
electronic device 52.
[0068] In this case, the electronic control system 10 can be configured, by means of the
video projector 14 and the command insertion sensor 16, to mirror a user interface
with a control program present on the external device 52 or on a remote server and
accessible by means of the external device 52.
Detailed description of embodiments of the treatment devices 7
[0069] According to embodiments, the treatment devices 7 of the household appliance 1 may
comprise one or more of the following:
- a hydraulic filling and emptying system 27 and/or water circulation system to wet
the domestic products in the treatment position,
- a ventilation system 28 and/or air circulation for aerating the domestic products
in the treatment position,
- a heating system 29 for heating the domestic products and/or for heating the water
of the hydraulic system and/or for heating the air in the ventilation system,
- a dehumidification system 30 for drying the household products and/or for dehumidifying
the air ventilation system 28 (e.g. by means of condensation),
- a supply system 31 for delivering one or more chemical treatment substances directly
on the domestic product and/or in the water in the hydraulic system 27 and/or in the
air of the ventilation system 28,
- a movement system 29a or mechanical agitation system to move the domestic product
and/or the treatment seat 5, e.g. with the purpose of dehydrating by centrifugal effect
or varying exposure of the domestic product to the treatment device 7 or agitation
and mixing of the household product,
- a microwave generator 30a for generating microwaves in the treatment position 6,
- a steam generator 31a for generating steam in the treatment position 6,
- a generator (e.g. an induction coil) 32 of a variable electromagnetic field adapted
to generate an induced electromotive force (and thus an induction heating) in electrically
conductive pots in the treatment position 6,
- a gas burner 33 adapted to heat pots or dishes in the treatment position 6,
- a cooling system 34 and/or freezing system adapted to cool and/or freeze domestic
products in the treatment position 6.
Detailed description of embodiments of the treatment detectors 8
[0070] According to embodiments, the treatment detectors 8 may comprise one or more of the
following:
- a water pressure sensor 35,
- a water level sensor 36,
- a water temperature sensor 37,
- an air pressure sensor 38,
- a treatment seat temperature sensor 39,
- a water turbidity sensor 40,
- an electric quantity sensor 41 of an electric motor of the movement system 29 and/or
mechanical agitation system,
- a presence sensor 42 of domestic products in the treatment position 6,
- a level sensor 43 or a presence sensor of a treatment chemical substance in the treatment
substance delivery system,
- a position sensor 44 of movable parts of the appliance 1 (e.g. door 18, auxiliary
door 19, detergent drawer 45, filter 46, filter holder 47, dust bag 48),
- a flame presence sensor 49,
- a camera 50 connected to or in the housing 2 and directed towards the treatment position
6 for monitoring the domestic product during the treatment.
[0071] According to an embodiment, the video projector 14 may visualize images detected
by the video camera 50.
Detailed description of embodiments of the anomaly detectors 9
[0072] According to embodiments, the anomaly detectors 9 are also in signal connection with
the electronic control system 10 and may comprise one or more temperature sensors,
water presence sensors, smoke presence sensors, water absence sensors, position/presence
sensors of movable or detachable parts of the household appliance (e.g. door 18, auxiliary
door 19, detergent drawer 45, filter 46, the filter holder 47, dust bag 48).
[0073] According to embodiments, the electronic control system 10 controls one or more treatment
devices 7 and/or controls the display means 13 also in dependency of the anomaly signals
generated by anomaly detectors 9.
Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the household appliance 1
[0074] The household appliance 1 is, for example, either:
- a washing machine 1.1 (figures 1-5, 9, 11),
- a tumble dryer 1.2 (figure 10),
- a clothes washing and drying machine 1.3 (figure 11),
- a dishwasher 1.4 (figure 12),
- a domestic cooking oven 1.5 (figure 13),
- a microwave oven 1.6 (figure 14),
- a gas cook top 1.7 (figure 16) and/or a resistive cook top 1.8 (figure 15), and/or an inductive cook top 1.9 (figure 15),
- a refrigerator 1.10 (figure 17),
- a freezer 1.10 (figure 18),
- a vacuum cleaner 1.11 (figure 19),
- an ironing apparatus 1.12 (figure 20).
[0075] According to embodiments, the household products which are treated by means of the
household appliance 1 may comprise one or more of either:
- linen to be washed and/or dried and/or ironed,
- dishes to be washed,
- food products to be heated and/or cooked and/or defrosted and/or frozen and/or cooled,
- furniture surfaces to be dusted and/or washed,
- fabrics to be ironed or sewn.
[0076] The washing machine 1.1 (figure 1-5, 9, 11) comprises a laundry basket or drum which
forms the treatment seat 5 and which can be closed by means of a door 18, as well
as a hydraulic system 27, a water heating system 29, a dispensing system 31 and a
moving system 29a.
[0077] The tumble dryer 1.2 (figure 10) comprises a laundry basket or drum which forms the
treatment seat 5 and which can be closed by a door 18, as well as a ventilation system
28, an air heating system 29, a dehumidification system 30 and an actuating/moving
system 29a.
[0078] The washing and drying machine 1.3 (figure 11) comprises a laundry basket or drum
which forms the treatment seat 5 and which can be closed by a door 18, as well as
a hydraulic system 27, a water heating system 29, a dispensing system 31, movement
system 29a, a ventilation system 28, an air heating system 29 and a dehumidification
system 30.
[0079] The dishwasher 1.4 (
figure 12) comprises a housing cavity which forms the treatment seat 5 and which can be closed
by a door 18, as well as a hydraulic system 27, a water heating system 29, a dispensing
system 31 and, optionally, a dehumidification system 30.
[0080] The domestic cooking oven 1.5 (
figure 13) comprises a cooking cavity which forms the treatment seat 5 and which can be closed
by a door 18, as well as a ventilation system 28, a heating system 29 for heating
the food products, optionally a movement system 29a (e.g. for turning grilled meat),
optionally a steam generator 31a for generating steam in the treatment position 6,
optionally a gas burner 33 adapted to heat dishes in the treatment position 6.
[0081] The microwave oven 1.6 (
figure 14) comprises a cooking cavity which forms the treatment seat 5 and which can be closed
by a door 18, as well as a microwave generator 30a for generating microwaves in the
treatment position 6, a movement system 29a and optionally a ventilation system 28.
[0082] The resistive cook top 1.8 (
figure 15) comprises a pot supporting structure which forms the treatment seat 5, as well as
a resistive heating system 29 for heating pots or dishes in the treatment position
6.
[0083] The inductive cook top 1.9 (
figure 15) comprises a pot supporting structure which forms the treatment seat 5, as well as
a generator (e.g. induction coil) 32 of a variable electromagnetic field in the treatment
position 6.
[0084] The gas cook top 1.7 (
figure 16) comprises a pot supporting structure which forms the treatment seat 5, as well as
a gas burner 33 adapted to heat pots or dishes in the treatment position 6.
[0085] The refrigerator 1.10 (
figure 17) comprises a refrigeration cavity which forms the treatment seat 5 and which can
be closed by a door 18, as well as a cooling system 34 and/or freezing system adapted
to cool and/or freeze domestic products in the treatment position 6 and, optionally,
a ventilation system 28 and/or air circulation system for aerating the domestic products
in the treatment position 6.
[0086] The freezer 1.11 (
figure 18) comprises a freezing cavity which forms the treatment seat 5 and which can be closed
by a door 18, as well as a freezing system 34 adapted to freeze the domestic products
in the treatment position 6.
[0087] The vacuum cleaner 1.12 (
figure 19) comprises a suction mouth for a furnishing surface which forms the treatment seat
5, as well as a ventilation system 28, in particular a suction system, of air from
the furniture surface in the treatment position 6 and, optionally, a movement system
29a or mechanical agitation system to move the treatment seat 5.
[0088] The ironing apparatus 1.13 (
figure 20) comprises a heatable plate which forms the treatment seat 5, as well as a heating
system 29 for heating the heatable plate and a steam generator 31a for generating
steam in the treatment position 6.
[0089] Each of the household appliances 1, 1.1 ... 1.12 described in greater detail may
selectively comprise one or more treatment detectors 8 and selectively one or more
anomaly detectors 9, together with their signal connections to the electronic control
system 10, described above and not repeated here for the sake of brevity.
[0090] Obviously, those skilled in art may make further changes and variations to the household
appliance 1 according to the present invention, all contained within the scope of
protection of the invention as defined in the following claims, in order to meet contingent
needs and specifications.
1. A household appliance (1) comprising:
- a housing (2) with an outer wall (3) forming an outer surface (4) of the household
appliance (1),
- a treatment seat (5) formed in or at the housing (2) and adapted to accommodate
or support domestic products in a treatment position (6),
- at least one treatment device (7) arranged inside the housing (2) and actuatable
for carrying out a treatment at the treatment position (6) and subjecting the domestic
product to said treatment,
- at least one treatment detector (8) arranged at least partially inside the housing
(2) and configured to detect a value of a treatment parameter of the treatment performed
by the treatment device (7).
- optionally, at least one anomaly detector (9) arranged at least partially inside
the housing (2) and configured to detect a magnitude indicative of an operating anomaly
of the household appliance (1),
- an electronic control system (10) arranged in the housing (2) and in signal connection
with the treatment device (7) and with the treatment detector (8) and configured to
control the treatment device (7) according to a treatment program and according to
the value detected by the treatment detector (8),
- a user interface (11) in signal connection with the electronic control system (10),
said user interface (11) comprising:
- command insertion means (12) for inputting commands for selecting the parameters
of the treatment program and for inputting a command for executing the treatment program,
and
- display means (13) which visualize the selectable parameters of the treatment program
and visualize the treatment parameters during the execution of the program,
wherein the display means (13) comprise at least one video projector (14) mounted
to the household appliance (1) at the outer wall (3) and configured to visualize,
by means of a light projection process, onto a display area (15) of the outer surface
(4) of the housing (2),
and in that the command insertion means (12) comprise at least one command input sensor
(16) adapted to detect a movement of the user's hand at the display area (15) and
to generate a corresponding hand movement signal,
wherein the electronic control system (10):
- processes the hand movement signal and generates a user command signal,
- sets the treatment program parameters according to the generated user command signal,
- commands the display by means of the video projector (14) according to the generated
user command signal,
characterized in that the at least one command input sensor (16) is further configured to monitor the position
or movements of movable parts (18, 19) of the household appliance (1) arranged in
the detection field thereof.
2. A household appliance (1) according to claim 1, wherein the command input sensor (16)
comprises one or more proximity or touch sensors applied to the outer wall (3) in
the display area (15).
3. A household appliance (1) according to claim 1, wherein the command input sensor (16)
comprises one or more radar interaction sensors arranged at the display area (15)
and configured to recognize the position and movement of the user's hand in the immediate
vicinity of the display area (15).
4. A household appliance (1) according to claim 1, wherein the command input sensor (16)
comprises one or more infrared interaction sensors arranged at the display area (15)
and configured to recognize the position and movement of the user's hand in the immediate
vicinity of the display area (15).
5. A household appliance (1) according to claim 1, wherein the command input sensor (16)
comprises a video camera and software for interpreting the images recorded by the
video camera.
6. A household appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the
electronic control system (10) associates the detected hand movement with the position
of one or more command input fields (17) displayed by the video projector (14) in
the display area (15), and generates said user command signal in dependency of said
association.
7. A household appliance (1) according to claim 6, wherein the electronic control system
(10) interprets:
- individual positionings of the finger that have been detected and associated with
individual command input fields (17) as parameter selection movements,
- continuous movements of the finger that have been detected and associated with a
series of command input fields (17) adjacent to one another as movements for setting
parameter values,
- continuous and relative movements of several fingers, detected in the display area
(15) but not associated with certain command input fields (17), as movements for setting
the display.
8. A household appliance (1) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the electronic control
system (10) interprets the movements of the user's fingers in the display area (15)
by comparing characteristic parameters of the corresponding hand movement signals
with the indicative reference parameters for a plurality of preset movements.
9. A household appliance (1) according to one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the electronic
control system (10) interprets the movements of the user's fingers in the display
area (15) by calculating vector paths performed by the user's fingers.
10. A household appliance (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the electronic
control system (10) performs, by means of the video projector (14), a confirmation
visualization of the generated user command signal.
11. A household appliance (1) according to claim 6, wherein the command input fields (17)
are displayed as:
- areas delimited and identified by a symbol representing a treatment parameter, and/or
- one or more selectable values of a treatment parameter and/or
- command symbols for navigating between different command entering menus, and/or
- symbols of the commands for customizing the projected display.
12. A household appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the
command insertion means (12) comprise a microphone adapted to detect voice user commands
and to generate a corresponding voice signal, wherein the electronic control system
(10):
- processes the voice signal and generates a corresponding user command signal,
- sets the treatment program parameters according to the generated user command signal,
- commands the display by means of the video projector (14) according to the generated
user command signal.
13. A household appliance (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the
electronic control system (10) may be connected in wireless communication to an external
electronic device (52), in particular a smartphone or a tablet, and is adapted to
be controllable and configurable by means of the external electronic device (52).
14. A household appliance (1) according to claim 13, wherein the electronic control system
(10) is configured to mirror, by means of the video projector (14) and the command
input sensor (16), a user interface of a control program present on the external device
(52) or on a remote server and accessible by means of the external device (52).
1. Haushaltsgerät (1), umfassend:
- ein Gehäuse (2) mit einer äußeren Wand (3), welche eine äußere Fläche (4) des Haushaltsgeräts
(1) bildet,
- einen Behandlungssitz (5), welcher in oder an dem Gehäuse (2) gebildet ist und dazu
eingerichtet ist, häusliche Produkte in einer Behandlungsposition (6) aufzunehmen
oder zu haltern,
- wenigstens eine Behandlungsvorrichtung (7), welche innerhalb des Gehäuses (2) angeordnet
ist und dazu betätigbar ist, an der Behandlungsposition (6) eine Behandlung auszuführen
und das häusliche Produkt der Behandlung auszusetzen,
- wenigstens eine Behandlung-Erfassungseinrichtung (8), welche wenigstens teilweise
innerhalb des Gehäuses (2) angeordnet ist und dazu eingerichtet ist, einen Wert eines
Behandlungsparameters der Behandlung zu erfassen, die durch die Behandlungsvorrichtung
(7) durchgeführt wird,
- optional wenigstens eine Anomalie-Erfassungseinrichtung (9), welche wenigstens teilweise
innerhalb des Gehäuses (2) angeordnet ist und dazu eingerichtet ist, eine Größe zu
erfassen, welche eine Betrieb-Anomalie des Haushaltsgeräts (1) anzeigt,
- ein elektronisches Steuerungssystem (10), welches in dem Gehäuse (2) angeordnet
ist und mit der Behandlungsvorrichtung (7) und mit der Behandlung-Erfassungseinrichtung
(8) in Signalverbindung steht und dazu eingerichtet ist, die Behandlungsvorrichtung
(7) gemäß einem Behandlungsprogramm und gemäß dem durch zu steuern, welcher durch
die Behandlung-Erfassungsvorrichtung (8) erfasst wird,
- eine Benutzer-Schnittstelle (11), welche in Signalverbindung mit dem elektronischen
Steuerungssystem (10) steht, wobei die Benutzer-Schnittstelle (11) umfasst:
- Befehl-Einbringungsmittel (12) zum Eingeben von Befehlen zum Auswählen der Parameter
des Behandlungsprogramms und zum Eingeben eines Befehls zum Ausführen des Behandlungsprogramms,
und
- Anzeigemittel (13), welche die auswählbaren Parameter des Behandlungsprogramms visualisieren
und die Behandlungsparameter während der Ausführung des Programms visualisieren,
wobei die Anzeigemittel (13) wenigstens einen Video-Projektor (14) umfassen, welcher
an der äußeren Wand (3) an dem Haushaltsgerät (1) montiert ist und dazu eingerichtet
ist, mittels eines Lichtprojektionsverfahrens auf einen Anzeigebereich (15) der äußeren
Fläche (4) des Gehäuses (2) zu visualisieren,
und wobei die Befehl-Einbringungsmittel (12) wenigstens einen Befehl-Eingabesensor
(16) umfassen, welcher dazu eingerichtet ist, eine Bewegung der Hand eines Benutzers
an dem Anzeigebereich (15) zu erfassen und ein entsprechendes Handbewegung-Signal
zu erzeugen,
wobei das elektronische Steuerungssystem (10):
- das Handbewegung-Signal verarbeitet und ein Benutzerbefehl-Signal erzeugt,
- die Behandlungsprogramm-Parameter gemäß dem erzeugten Benutzerbefehl-Signal einstellt,
- die Anzeige mittels des Video-Projektors (14) gemäß dem erzeugten Benutzerbefehl-Signal
befehligt,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der wenigstens eine Befehl-Eingabesensor (16) ferner dazu eingerichtet ist, die Position
oder die Bewegungen bewegbarer Teile (18, 19) des Haushaltsgeräts (1) zu überwachen,
welche in dem Erfassungsfeld davon angeordnet sind.
2. Haushaltsgerät (1) nach Anspruch 1, wobei der Befehl-Eingabesensor (16) einen oder
mehrere Näherungs- oder Berührungssensoren umfasst, welche in dem Anzeigebereich (15)
an der äußeren Wand (3) angebracht sind.
3. Haushaltsgerät (1) nach Anspruch 1, wobei der Befehl-Eingabesensor (16) einen oder
mehrere Radar-Interaktion-Sensoren umfasst, welche an dem Anzeigebereich (15) angeordnet
sind und dazu eingerichtet sind, die Position und die Bewegung der Hand des Benutzers
in der unmittelbaren Nähe des Anzeigebereichs (15) zu erkennen.
4. Haushaltsgerät (1) nach Anspruch 1, wobei der Befehl-Eingabesensor (16) einen oder
mehrere Infrarot-Interaktion-Sensoren umfasst, welche an dem Anzeigebereich (15) angeordnet
sind und dazu eingerichtet sind, die Position und die Bewegung der Hand des Benutzers
in der unmittelbaren Nähe des Anzeigebereichs (15) zu erkennen.
5. Haushaltsgerät (1) nach Anspruch 1, wobei der Befehl-Eingabesensor (16) eine Videokamera
und Software zum Interpretieren der Bilder umfasst, welche durch die Videokamera aufgezeichnet
werden.
6. Haushaltsgerät (1) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei das elektronische
Steuerungssystem (10) die erfasste Handbewegung der Position einer oder mehrerer Befehl-Eingabefelder
(17) zuordnet, welche in dem Anzeigebereich (15) durch den Video-Projektor (14) angezeigt
werden, und das Benutzerbefehl-Signal in Abhängigkeit der Zuordnung erzeugt.
7. Haushaltsgerät (1) nach Anspruch 6, wobei das elektronische Steuerungssystem (10)
interpretiert:
- individuelle Positionierungen des Fingers, die erfasst und individuellen Befehl-Eingabefeldern
(17) zugeordnet worden sind, als Parameterauswahl-Bewegungen,
- kontinuierliche Bewegungen des Fingers, die erfasst und einer Reihe von einander
benachbarten Befehl-Eingabefeldern (17) zugeordnet worden sind, als Bewegungen zum
Einstellen von Parameterwerten,
- kontinuierliche und relative Bewegungen einiger Finger, welche in dem Anzeigebereich
(15) erfasst, jedoch nicht bestimmten Befehl-Eingabefeldern (17) zugeordnet werden,
als Bewegungen zum Einstellen der Anzeige.
8. Haushaltsgerät (1) nach Anspruch 6 oder 7, wobei das elektronische Steuerungssystem
(10) die Bewegungen der Finger des Benutzers in dem Anzeigebereich (15) interpretiert,
indem es charakteristische Parameter der entsprechenden Handbewegung-Signale mit den
anzeigenden Referenzparametern für eine Mehrzahl voreingestellter Bewegungen vergleicht.
9. Haushaltsgerät (1) nach einem der Ansprüche 6 bis 8, wobei das elektronische Steuerungssystem
(10) die Bewegungen der Finger des Benutzers in dem Anzeigebereich (15) interpretiert,
indem es Vektorpfade berechnet, welche durch die Finger des Benutzers durchgeführt
werden.
10. Haushaltsgerät (1) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei das elektronische
Steuerungssystem (10) mittels des Video-Projektors (14) eine Bestätigung-Visualisierung
des erzeugten Benutzerbefehl-Signals durchführt.
11. Haushaltsgerät (1) nach Anspruch 6, wobei die Befehl-Eingabefelder (17) angezeigt
werden als:
- Bereiche, welche durch ein Symbol begrenzt und identifiziert sind, welches einen
Behandlungsparameter repräsentiert, und/oder
- ein oder mehrere auswählbare Werte eines Behandlungsparameters und/oder
- Befehlssymbole zum Navigieren zwischen verschiedenen Befehl-Eingabemenüs, und/oder
- Symbole der Befehle zum Anpassen der projizierten Anzeige.
12. Haushaltsgerät (1) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Befehl-Einbringungsmittel
(12) ein Mikrofon umfassen, welches dazu eingerichtet ist, Sprachbefehle eines Benutzers
zu erfassen und ein entsprechendes Sprachsignal zu erzeugen, wobei das elektronische
Steuerungssystem (10):
- das Sprachsignal verarbeitet und ein entsprechendes Benutzerbefehl-Signal erzeugt,
- die Behandlungsprogramm-Parameter gemäß dem erzeugten Benutzerbefehl Signal einstellt,
- die Anzeige mittels des Video-Projektors (14) gemäß dem erzeugten Benutzerbefehl-Signal
befehligt.
13. Haushaltsgerät (1) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei das elektronische
Steuerungssystem (10) in drahtloser Kommunikation mit einer externen elektronischen
Vorrichtung (52), insbesondere einem Smartphone oder einem Tablet, verbunden sein
kann und dazu eingerichtet ist mittels der externen elektronischen Vorrichtung (52)
steuerbar und konfigurierbar zu sein.
14. Haushaltsgerät (1) nach Anspruch 13, wobei das elektronische Steuerungssystem (10)
dazu eingerichtet ist, mittels des Video-Projektors (14) und des Befehl-Eingabesensors
(16) eine Benutzerschnittstelle eines Steuerungsprogramms zu spiegeln, welches auf
der externen Vorrichtung (52) oder einem Remote-Server vorhanden ist und auf welches
mittels der externen Vorrichtung (52) zugegriffen werden kann.
1. Appareil ménager (1) comprenant :
- un logement (2) avec une paroi externe (3) formant une surface externe (4) de l'appareil
ménager (1),
- un siège de traitement (5) formé dans le logement (2) ou au niveau de celui-ci et
adapté pour loger ou supporter des produits domestiques dans une position de traitement
(6),
- au moins un dispositif de traitement (7) agencé à l'intérieur du logement (2) et
pouvant être actionné pour effectuer un traitement au niveau de la position de traitement
(6) et soumettre ledit produit domestique audit traitement,
- au moins un détecteur de traitement (8) agencé au moins partiellement à l'intérieur
du logement (2) et configuré pour détecter une valeur d'un paramètre de traitement
du traitement effectué par le dispositif de traitement (7),
- éventuellement, au moins un détecteur d'anomalie (9) agencé au moins partiellement
à l'intérieur du logement (2) et configuré pour détecter une grandeur indiquant une
anomalie de fonctionnement de l'appareil ménager (1),
- un système de contrôle électronique (10) agencé dans le logement (2) et en connexion
par signal avec le dispositif de traitement (7) et avec le détecteur de traitement
(8) et configuré pour contrôler le dispositif de traitement (7) en fonction d'un programme
de traitement et en fonction de la valeur détectée par le détecteur de traitement
(8),
- une interface utilisateur (11) en connexion par signal avec le système de contrôle
électronique (10), ladite interface utilisateur (11) comprenant :
- des moyens d'insertion de commande (12) pour entrer des commandes pour sélectionner
les paramètres du programme de traitement et pour entrer une commande pour exécuter
le programme de traitement, et
- des moyens d'affichage (13) qui visualisent les paramètres sélectionnables du programme
de traitement et visualisent les paramètres de traitement pendant l'exécution du programme,
dans lequel les moyens d'affichage (13) comprennent au moins un projecteur vidéo (14)
monté sur l'appareil ménager (1) au niveau de la paroi externe (3) et configuré pour
assurer la visualisation, au moyen d'un processus de projection de lumière, sur une
zone d'affichage (15) de la surface externe (4) du logement (2),
et en ce que les moyens d'insertion de commande (12) comprennent au moins un capteur
d'entrée de commande (16) adapté pour détecter un mouvement de la main de l'utilisateur
au niveau de la zone d'affichage (15) et pour générer un signal de mouvement de main
correspondant,
dans lequel le système de contrôle électronique (10) :
- traite le signal de mouvement de la main et génère un signal de commande d'utilisateur,
- définit les paramètres du programme de traitement en fonction du signal de commande
d'utilisateur généré,
- commande l'affichage au moyen du projecteur vidéo (14) en fonction du signal de
commande d'utilisateur généré,
caractérisé en ce que l'au moins un capteur d'entrée de commande (16) est en outre configuré pour surveiller
la position ou les mouvements de parties mobiles (18, 19) de l'appareil ménager (1)
agencées dans le champ de détection de celui-ci.
2. Appareil ménager (1) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le capteur d'entrée de
commande (16) comprend un ou plusieurs capteurs de proximité ou tactiles appliqués
sur la paroi externe (3) dans la zone d'affichage (15).
3. Appareil ménager (1) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le capteur d'entrée de
commande (16) comprend un ou plusieurs capteurs d'interaction radar agencés au niveau
de la zone d'affichage (15) et configurés pour reconnaître la position et le mouvement
de la main de l'utilisateur au voisinage immédiat de la zone d'affichage (15).
4. Appareil ménager (1) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le capteur d'entrée de
commande (16) comprend un ou plusieurs capteurs d'interaction à infrarouge agencés
au niveau de la zone d'affichage (15) et configurés pour reconnaître la position et
le mouvement de la main de l'utilisateur au voisinage immédiat de la zone d'affichage
(15).
5. Appareil ménager (1) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le capteur d'entrée de
commande (16) comprend une caméra vidéo et un logiciel pour interpréter les images
enregistrées par la caméra vidéo.
6. Appareil ménager (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel
le système de contrôle électronique (10) associe le mouvement de main détecté à la
position d'un ou de plusieurs champs d'entrée de commande (17) affichés par le projecteur
vidéo (14) dans la zone d'affichage (15), et génère ledit signal de commande d'utilisateur
en dépendance de ladite association.
7. Appareil ménager (1) selon la revendication 6, dans lequel le système de contrôle
électronique (10) interprète :
- des positionnements individuels du doigt qui ont été détectés et associés à des
champs d'entrée de commande individuels (17) en tant que mouvements de sélection de
paramètres,
- des mouvements continus du doigt qui ont été détectés et associés à une série de
champs d'entrée de commande (17) adjacents les uns des autres en tant que mouvements
pour définir des valeurs de paramètres,
- des mouvements continus et relatifs de plusieurs doigts, détectés dans la zone d'affichage
(15) mais non associés à certains champs d'entrée de commande (17), en tant que mouvements
pour définir l'affichage.
8. Appareil ménager (1) selon la revendication 6 ou 7, dans lequel le système de contrôle
électronique (10) interprète les mouvements des doigts de l'utilisateur dans la zone
d'affichage (15) en comparant des paramètres caractéristiques des signaux de mouvement
de main correspondants avec les paramètres de référence indicatifs pour une pluralité
de mouvements prédéfinis.
9. Appareil ménager (1) selon l'une des revendications 6 à 8, dans lequel le système
de contrôle électronique (10) interprète les mouvements des doigts de l'utilisateur
dans la zone d'affichage (15) en calculant des trajets vectoriels effectués par les
doigts de l'utilisateur.
10. Appareil ménager (1) selon l'une des revendications précédentes, dans lequel le système
de contrôle électronique (10) effectue, au moyen du projecteur vidéo (14), une visualisation
de confirmation du signal de commande d'utilisateur généré.
11. Appareil ménager (1) selon la revendication 6, dans lequel les champs d'entrée de
commande (17) sont affichés sous forme de :
- zones délimitées et identifiées par un symbole représentant un paramètre de traitement,
et/ou
- une ou plusieurs valeurs sélectionnables d'un paramètre de traitement et/ou
- des symboles de commande pour naviguer entre différents menus d'entrée de commande,
et/ou
- des symboles des commandes pour personnaliser l'affichage projeté.
12. Appareil ménager (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel
les moyens d'insertion de commande (12) comprennent un microphone adapté pour détecter
des commandes d'utilisateur vocales et pour générer un signal vocal correspondant,
dans lequel le système de contrôle électronique (10) :
- traite le signal vocal et génère un signal de commande d'utilisateur correspondant,
- définit les paramètres de programme de traitement en fonction du signal de commande
d'utilisateur généré,
- commande l'affichage au moyen du projecteur vidéo (14) en fonction du signal de
commande d'utilisateur généré.
13. Appareil ménager (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel
le système de contrôle électronique (10) peut être connecté par communication sans
fil à un dispositif électronique externe (52), en particulier un téléphone intelligent
ou une tablette, et est adapté pour pouvoir être contrôlé et configuré au moyen du
dispositif électronique externe (52).
14. Appareil ménager (1) selon la revendication 13, dans lequel le système de contrôle
électronique (10) est configuré pour refléter, au moyen du projecteur vidéo (14) et
du capteur d'entrée de commande (16), une interface utilisateur d'un programme de
contrôle présent sur le dispositif externe (52) ou sur un serveur distant et accessible
au moyen du dispositif externe (52).