DE8502475U1 - Household appliance with a data input and output device - Google Patents

Description

EBHZ-84/.74 - 3 - 24.1.1985

LI cent!a
Patent- Verwaltungs-QmbH

Prankfurt/Main

Household appliance with a data input and output device

The invention relates to a household appliance according to the preamble of claim 1.

It is common practice in household appliances to use keyboards or rotary switches that are operated manually to enter data for the execution of predefined program steps. Display disks, illuminated display elements or acoustic signal generators are used as data output devices.

The invention is based on the object of taking measures in a household appliance according to the preamble of claim 1, by means of which an improved dialogue between the operator and the machine is made possible.

This object is achieved according to the invention by the characterizing features of claim 1.

By using language devices, it is possible for the machine to give acoustic indications in plain text

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EBHZ-84/74

24.1.1985

which data is still required for a meaningful program flow or which requirements must be met on the input devices or which options are available. Direct information on key operations or operating requirements that have not yet been met can also be given. The required data can also be entered using a voice input device that uses a microphone.

Voice output and/or voice input devices can preferably be provided on a control panel of the device in order to enable a direct dialogue with the operator. A microcomputer is preferably used for control, which is controlled by peripheral data transmitters and is in dialogue with a voice modulator and/or voice demodulator. This means that, depending on the peripheral data transmitters, voice signals can be sent to a loudspeaker in cooperation with a vocabulary memory, which passes on the required instructions to the operator.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings of an exemplary embodiment.

It shows:

Figure 1 shows a household appliance in perspective view with a voice output and voice input unit provided in a control panel, Figure 2 shows a sectional view through the control panel in the area of the

Voice output and voice input unit,

Figure 3 shows a circuit diagram for a voice output and voice input unit and

Figure 4 is a flow chart for the speech output of the circuit arrangement according to Figure 3.

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EBHZ-84/74 - 5 - 24.1.1985

In a household appliance, for example a dishwasher, a door 2 that can be opened forwards is provided on the front of an appliance housing 1, the upper section of which has a control panel 3 that extends horizontally. The control panel 3 is provided with a decorative insert 4. For the manual input of operating data, there is a push-button arrangement S in the control panel 3, while for the acoustic output and input of data, a voice output and voice input unit 6 is embedded in the control panel 3. The voice unit 6 has a loudspeaker 7 that is arranged behind a protective grille 8. In the horizontal direction next to the loudspeaker 7 there is a potentiometer 9 for adjusting the volume, which can be individually adjusted using a rotary knob 10 that is set outwards on the front. Next to the loudspeaker 7 there are also optical display elements 11, e.g. in the form of light-emitting diodes. Furthermore, the language unit 6 contains a

Microphone 12 for the acoustic input of voice data. The mechanical

A circuit board 13, which also provides the electrical connection to these elements, holds the volume control 9, the loudspeaker 7, the display elements and the microphone 12.

The electrical control circuit of the speech unit 6 has, according to Figure 3

a microcomputer 14, to which peripheral data transmitters, for example a manually operated keyboard 5, sensors 17 and the microphone 12, transmit control signals via a bus line 15. The microphone 12 is preferably assigned a key on the keyboard 5 or a sensor 17, which is to be operated before data is entered via the microphone 12 in order to avoid incorrect control due to conversations and the like. If data is offered to the microcomputer 14 via the peripheral data transmitters, then a check is carried out to determine whether all operating requirements are met. If this is not the case, then the microcomputer enters into dialogue with a speech modulator and demodulator 18, which is in dialogue with a vocabulary memory 19 and acoustically carries out the corresponding data output via the loudspeaker 7. Instructions are given to the operator

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EBHZ-84V74 - 6 - 24.1.1985

or instructions for further or modified data entry via the peripheral

\ Data transmitters 5, 17, 12 are given. If the data required for a dishwashing program are correctly entered into the microcomputer 14, it passes control signals via another bus line 20 to the display elements 21 for acknowledgement. The microcomputer 14 simultaneously controls the

Schiliter 22, which is conducive to the execution of the grinding pulp

The sensors 17 are assigned to functional parts of the household appliance which, in particular, allow the operator to influence them. These include, for example, program switches which can be manually set to an initial position, water valves which must be opened manually before the dishwasher is put into operation, a monitoring contact for the appliance door 2 which must be closed before it is put into operation, a water softening system in which there must be a sufficient supply of salt for the regeneration process, and storage containers from which detergent or rinsing agent is added to the rinsing liquid during the program.

According to the flow chart for the voice output in Figure 4, after the dishwasher is connected to the electrical network, a test program is first run through and then a query is made as to whether a program is already running. If this is not the case, the system switches to voice output* and the operator is informed by voice output of the subsequent required inputs. It is then checked whether there is sufficient rinse aid and, if necessary, a message is given to refill it. The salt supply in the water softening system is then checked and a corresponding prompt is again issued if there is too little salt. After intermediate steps have been completed, it is also asked whether the door 2 is closed and the water tap is open. If these tests are completed negatively, a corresponding prompt is given over the loudspeaker 7, which is repeated after a certain time delay if necessary. If the end of the program is detected, then

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EBHZ-84/74 - 7 - 24.1.1985

here a corresponding text output that prompts you to turn off the power switch, to close the water tap, to refill salt or hair conditioner if corresponding signals occur via the assigned sensors during the program.

Claims (1)

License Patent Administration GmbH Frankfurt am Main Expectations 1. Household appliance, in particular dishwasher, washing machine, dryer, refrigerator or freezer and the like, with a data input device and a data output device, characterized in that a voice output unit and/or voice input unit is provided, to which a voice module is assigned. 2. Household appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that the voice output and/or voice input device is provided on a control panel (3). 3. Household appliance according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the voice module is arranged within the appliance housing (1). 4. Household appliance according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that peripheral data transmitters (5, 12, 17) are provided. 5. Household appliance according to claim 4, characterized in that the data transmitters are a microphone (C2) and/or sensors (17) and/or a keyboard (5). 6. Household appliance according to claim 6, characterized in that sensors (17) are assigned to functional parts such as a program switch, water valves, a monitoring contact of an appliance door (2), a water softening system, storage containers for washing and dishwashing detergent and the like. ."·. .".&Lgr;3.12.88 ?. Household appliance according to claim 1 or one of the following, characterized in that a loudspeaker (7) is arranged behind the control panel (3). 8. Household appliance according to claim 2 or one of the following, characterized in that in the seat cover (3) next to each other a
Control knob (10J for a potentiometer (9), a grille iö) in front of the loudspeaker (7) arranged behind it, the optical display elements (11,21) and the microphone (12) are arranged. · f 1