WO2009138359A2

WO2009138359A2 - Household appliance comprising an image capturing device

Info

Publication number: WO2009138359A2
Application number: PCT/EP2009/055542
Authority: WO
Inventors: Horst Jürgen Duschek
Original assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH
Priority date: 2008-05-13
Filing date: 2009-05-07
Publication date: 2009-11-19
Also published as: WO2009138359A3

Abstract

The invention relates to a household appliance comprising an image capturing device (12, 14), in particular internal an image capturing device (12, 14). The invention also relates to a method for detecting the internal state or operational state of said type of household appliance in addition to a method for reducing thermally induced energy losses in a household appliance that is to be opened or closed, in particular a cooling device or a heating device, comprising a chamber in which a thermodynamic system can be housed.

Description

Household appliance with image capture device

TECHNICAL AREA

The present invention relates to a novel household appliance, a method for detecting an internal state, in particular internal operating state of a household appliance, a method for reducing thermally induced energy losses in a household appliance to be opened and closed and a kitchen furniture with a household appliance.

STATE OF THE ART

Domestic appliances are known in various forms, e.g. in the form of a washing machine, a cooking appliance, a cooker, including a microwave oven, a stove, a refrigerator, in particular a refrigerator and / or freezer, a freezer, a wine refrigerator, a dryer, a washer-dryer, a dishwasher, an extractor hood, one Vacuum cleaner, a coffee machine or a coffee machine, a toaster, a juicer, etc. There are efforts to improve the interface or user interface between such household appliances and a user. In particular, it is desirable to simplify the use of such household appliances and also to enable or facilitate infirm or handicapped persons. Furthermore, it is desirable to reduce the power consumption of household appliances as much as possible.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

The invention is based on the object or the technical problem of creating a household appliance with a novel user-device interface, which allows an improved interaction between the device and the user, and in particular the energy consumption of the household appliance in interactive operation with the user to reduce. The aforementioned object is achieved according to a first aspect by an inventive household appliance having the features of claim 1.

This household appliance, in particular a washing machine, a cooking appliance, a stove, including microwave oven, an oven, a refrigerator, in particular a refrigerator and / or freezer, a freezer, a wine refrigerator, a dryer, a washer dryer, a dishwasher, a cooker hood , a vacuum cleaner, a coffee maker, a toaster, a juicer, or the like, is provided with an image capturing apparatus, particularly an internal image capturing apparatus.

The image capture device preferably forms an integral part of the household appliance or a structural unit with the same. The image capture device is preferably arranged in the interior of the household appliance or in an interior of a subcomponent thereof. The image capture device may be a fixed or movably mounted image capture device. Furthermore, the image capture device is preferably designed to capture moving images, but it may also be designed to capture static images or so-called still images. Likewise, in the context of the invention, mixed forms of these image acquisition devices are possible. It is preferred that the image capture device comprises a camera, in particular a digital camera. The camera may be a color camera, a black-and-white camera, an infrared camera or a thermal imaging camera and a combination of at least two of the aforementioned camera types.

Due to the inventively provided image-capturing device, it is possible a still image and / or a moving image of the interior of the household appliance, an internal operating state of the household appliance, a

Contents of the household appliance and the like capture more. It is therefore possible to look into the household appliance without having to open the household appliance for this purpose. This facilitates and simplifies the operation of the household appliance in Case of checking an internal operating state or a content of the household appliance and also facilitates operation and control of the household appliance, especially if it is in an unfavorable for the user ergonomic position or installation position (eg in a kitchen furniture or the like). For example, flocks are often installed in a low, near-floor position in kitchen furniture, which in conventional stoves requires a user to bend over, to look into the stove and control the contents of the oven, or even the stove to open. By contrast, with the solution according to the invention, it is not necessary for the user to stoop in order to have a look into the stove, since this can be done via the image capture device. The image of the interior or of the contents of the oven detected by the image acquisition device can then be displayed, as will be explained in more detail below, with the aid of an image display device which can be positioned almost anywhere on the domestic appliance or at another location. This is particularly advantageous for frail or disabled persons who, for example, can not bend over or move to other positions corresponding to the spatial arrangement of the household appliance. Although the aforementioned advantages have been explained with reference to a cooker, they are, of course, analogous to other types of domestic appliances such as those mentioned above.

Due to the solution according to the invention furthermore thermally induced energy losses can be avoided or reduced during operation or interactive user operation of the household appliance, as they usually occur in that the relevant household appliance for checking the

Operating state or its contents are opened and then closed again. In particular, in the case of refrigerators, such as refrigerators and / or freezers, or freezers, and in the case of cooking appliances or stoves and ovens, it is possible due to the inventive solution to check the content or the internal operating state of these appliances, without in this case, the household appliance, eg via a door, to open. For the internal operating state or the content of the household appliance can in turn detected without opening the household appliance by means of the image capture device and how will be described in more detail below, be displayed to the user by means of an image display device. Thus, no cold or heat losses, as they would normally occur when you open the home appliance and then closes again, and it is in this case therefore no additional energy for aftercooling or reheating of the relevant household appliance required. Thus, a considerable energy savings can be achieved. The energy required to operate the image acquisition and image display device is comparatively extremely low, so that the energy balance of a household appliance according to the invention is improved compared to a conventional household appliance. Since the domestic appliance, as I said, can remain closed, and does not change the internal temperature of the household appliance or the relevant thermodynamic system, which contains it. In this way, larger temperature fluctuations in the thermodynamic system can be avoided. This is particularly advantageous if in the relevant household appliance (here: eg a refrigerator) particularly sensitive food or luxury foods are kept. Also in the case of cooking appliances, stoves or ovens, there is the advantage of keeping constant the internal temperature of the household appliance or the thermodynamic system therein, which is eg when cooking, cooking or baking arranged in the household foodstuffs advantage and leads to improved results ,

Thus, the solution according to the invention provides an improved interface between the household appliance and the user. Furthermore, it is possible, as already mentioned, an internal state or operating state of

Household appliance easier to detect, evaluate as needed and provide for other functions or controls of the household appliance internally or externally. Furthermore, by the solution according to the invention thermally induced energy losses can be reduced in a household appliance to be opened and closed.

In addition, the solution according to the invention allows the construction of the household appliance or the construction of important detail areas of the To simplify household appliances and make it more effective. For example, many household appliances such as washing machines or ovens, a transparent door or a transparent window, which allow a user to look from the outside into the interior of the household appliance. However, due to the required transparency of said components and the required connections and seals to adjacent components, these designs are often very complex and expensive. In addition, transparent, window-like areas of household appliances usually can not ensure the desired good thermal insulation properties. This means that there are significant thermal losses in these areas of the household appliance (eg refrigerators or stoves). In the solution according to the invention can be completely dispensed with transparent window or transparent door areas in household appliances, and it is possible to replace these areas by opaque or completely closed and / or thermally well insulated components or areas. This also makes it possible to make the respective doors or flaps and corresponding front areas of the household appliance and thus also the appearance of these areas more freely. In particular, door and flap constructions of the relevant domestic appliances can therefore be simplified and made more cost-effective. The user has due to the inventively provided image acquisition device, which, as will be explained in more detail, is preferably coupled to a suitable image display device, yet the possibility of the interior of the household appliance or its contents and / or its internal operating state by means of the image capture device capture and see with the help of the image display device.

The solution according to the invention is structurally simple and inexpensive to implement, since in particular digital image capture devices and associated electronic components are becoming more cost-effective and due to their low construction volume in a variety of sub-areas or

Subcomponents of the household appliance can be integrated. Moreover, it is possible to use the image capture device with image display devices that already exist but have been used for other purposes (such as displays that are only used for other purposes) to represent a general Bethebszustand the household appliance schematically or abstracted). Thus, in each case, multifunctional and / or multimedia components can be realized.

In addition, with the aid of the image acquisition device provided according to the invention, internal operating sequences of the household appliance can be monitored and, for example, monitored. also any malfunction of the device can be detected. Moreover, with the image sensing device, it is possible to detect the state, the composition, the temperature or the temperature distribution and the like of contents or resources of the household appliance and to make available for further internal or external evaluation. Internal evaluation here means that the detected data or parameters e.g. an internal analysis device and / or an internal data processing device of the household appliance are supplied. External analysis here means that the acquired data or parameters e.g. be fed via an interface of the household appliance of an external analysis device and / or an external data processing device.

Further preferred and advantageous design features of the household appliance according to the invention are the subject of the dependent claims 2 to 17, which find their support in the following description and the drawings.

According to a preferred embodiment of the household appliance according to the invention, the viewing direction of the image capture device is directed into the interior of the household appliance or into the interior of a subcomponent thereof. In this way, internal Bethebszustände and contents and internal processes or operations of the home appliance can be particularly simple and effective capture.

According to another preferred embodiment of the household appliance according to the invention, however, the viewing direction of the image capture device may also be directed away from the household appliance to an external environment thereof, or be movable in this direction. Thus, by means of the image capture device of the household appliance and external processes can be optically detected and analyzed if necessary and / or otherwise further processed and made available.

Preferably, the image capture device is adapted and arranged to capture an image of a content of the household appliance. Thus, it is possible to detect its content without opening the household appliance, display it in an image display device if necessary and / or otherwise evaluate it.

In yet another preferred embodiment variant of the household appliance according to the invention, the image capture device is adapted and arranged to capture an image of an operating state of the household appliance. Thus, the operating state can be detected without opening the household appliance and also during operation of the household appliance without switching off or interrupting the operation of the household appliance, displayed as needed and / or evaluated elsewhere.

According to the invention, it is further preferred that the image capture device is adapted and arranged to capture an image of a resource of the household appliance. Such a resource may be e.g. in the case of a washing machine to act a detergent, water or wash or the like. In the case of a coffee machine, the resource may be e.g. to handle coffee powder and / or water. These examples are not exhaustive. The respective equipment depends on the type of household appliance. With the aid of an image of the resource detected by the image capture device, it is possible, e.g. analyze its condition and / or display it in an image display device and if necessary manipulate the resource via a suitable manipulation device.

Moreover, it is provided in at least one preferred embodiment of the household appliance according to the invention that the

Image capture device adapted and arranged to form an image of a To capture functional element of the household appliance. Such a functional element may be, for example, a motor, a pump, a door lock, a bearing element, a transmission element, an electronic or electrical component, or the like. Thus, it is possible to capture an image of this functional element, without opening the home appliance, off or interrupt the ongoing operation of the household appliance. The image of the functional element can be displayed in an image display device and / or provided for evaluation to an internal and / or external analysis system of the household appliance.

According to a further preferred and advantageous embodiment of the household appliance according to the invention, this has a housing, and the image sensing device is arranged on or in the housing. This not only makes it possible to mount the image capture device in a simple manner to the household appliance, but also makes it possible to pre-assemble the housing and image capture device as an assembly, which simplifies the manufacture of the household appliance and the integration of the image capture device in the household appliance.

In particular, it is preferred that the household appliance or its housing has a door and the image capture device is arranged on the door. For the purposes of the invention, a door should not only be understood to mean a door as such, but also a flap, a hatch, a cover, a closure element, a closable compartment, or the like. This solution not only makes it possible to arrange the image sensing device in a simple manner, but in particular also allows an arrangement with a viewing direction directed from the door into the interior of the household appliance. This then essentially corresponds to a line of sight that a user has or would have when standing in front of an open door and looking into the interior of the household appliance; or that a user has or would have when standing in front of a transparent windowed door or a transparent door and looking inside the household appliance. By means of the image capture device and one of these image display device preferably assigned to the user can therefore an image of the interior or an internal state / operating state or an internal functional element of the household appliance is made available, which substantially corresponds to a generated by natural visual perception of a user image. However, the invention is not limited to the detection of natural images in the said arrangement, but can optionally or additionally also other images, such as a heat distribution within the household appliance or the like, optically detect.

As already mentioned above, the household appliance according to the invention is preferably equipped with an image display device for displaying images acquired by the image acquisition device, in particular real images. In the case of several domestic appliances according to the invention, these can also be assigned at least one common image display device. The image display device preferably has a screen, in particular a flat screen, in particular a color screen. The image display device is preferably attachable to a housing or door of the household appliance or other suitable portions thereof. In the other parts mentioned, it can be e.g. is a pull-out or fold-out element of a housing of the household appliance, but the invention is not limited thereto. The image display device can furthermore be a display which is already provided on the household appliance for other purposes (eg for the conventional schematic or abstract representation of operating states), in which case such a conventional display receives new, multifunctional solutions within the scope of the inventive solution Properties.

Although, as mentioned above, the image display device is particularly useful for displaying real images captured by the image capture device, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the image display device is adapted to display virtual images generated by a data processing device. These virtual images may be, for example, images of control elements, such as Buttons, switches, sliders or the like, which are displayed in the image display device and displayed to the user, for example on touch-sensitive areas (touch screen) of the image display device and made available. A superposition of real images of the image capture device and such virtual images is also provided according to the invention, which can be realized with the aid of a suitable data processing device and corresponding hardware and / or software provided programs.

Preferably, the image display device is attachable to a door of the household appliance or arranged there. Representations of the (real) images captured by the image capture device in the image display device therefore essentially correspond to a view or image that a user viewing the household appliance through the open door or through a closed transparent door of the household appliance would receive. Even with a completely opaque door, as it is provided according to the invention in at least one embodiment of the household appliance, a user can therefore be the impression of an open or transparent door and a look suggested by such a door, but without the above-described technical disadvantages of conventional transparent doors or doors with transparent areas or windows to accept.

Yet another preferred advantageous embodiment of the household appliance according to the invention provides that the image display device has a touch-sensitive control element (touch control) or a corresponding touch-sensitive control region. In this way, the image display device can not only be used to display the (real) images captured by the image capture device, but can also be used as an operating and / or control device for the

Domestic appliance and / or its sub-components, including the image capture device and the image display device itself, act. Moreover, the household appliance according to the invention preferably has a control element for activating and / or deactivating at least the image capture device, but in particular the image capture device and the image display device (or an image display mode thereof). Such an operating element can be a separate operating element, which is arranged, for example, outside the image display device on the domestic appliance, or else a control element integrated into the image display device or a subregion thereof. The operating element may be, for example, a switch arranged on the domestic appliance or, for example, also a touch-sensitive partial area of the image display device. By pressing the control element, the image capture device (or can in particular the

Image capture device and the image display device) are activated and / or deactivated. In this way, the image capture device and / or the image display device can be operated particularly energy-saving, i. they are only active when the user actually needs them. As an operating element, e.g. Also, a sensor can be used, which detects whether a user, e.g. in front of the appliance or in its immediate vicinity. Such a sensor may be e.g. to act a heat detector, a proximity sensor, or the like. Such a sensor automatically turns on the image capture device (but especially the image capture device and the image display device) as soon as the user is recognized. If the user moves away again, the corresponding components can then be automatically switched off again.

The operating element is suitably functionally coupled to the image display device and adapted to activate and / or deactivate both the image capture device and the image display device used to display an image captured by the image capture device.

In a further preferred and advantageous embodiment variant of the household appliance according to the invention, the latter comprises an image transmission device, which is functionally coupled to the image capture device and the image display device, for the purpose of transmitting image data Image capture device and / or the image display device. The transmission preferably takes place from the image capture device to the image display device or from the image capture device to an intermediate device and then to the image display device. However, it is also possible to transmit image data from the image display device with the image transmission device, for example to a second display. The image transmission device is preferably a wireless or an image transmission device coupled to a data line. Likewise, a hybrid form or combination of the two aforementioned types of image transfer devices is possible. The image transmission device may also be a data processing device to which the image capture device and the image display device are connected or connectable. Furthermore, the image transmission device can also be configured as a signal transmission device in order to transmit, for example, control signals to and from the image acquisition device or further system of the household appliance. In particular, the image transmission device makes it possible to also transmit the image data from the image capture device to a position of the image display device remote from the image capture device. This remote position can be located both on the household appliance itself and outside the household appliance. In the latter case, the image display device may thus be arranged for example on a kitchen furniture or a kitchen furniture group in which the household appliance in question is arranged; or the image display device may include a mobile user-portable monitor (eg, the mobile phone monitor) to which the image data is transferable.

A further embodiment variant according to the invention provides that the household appliance is provided with a lighting device for illuminating an image-capturing region of the image-capturing device. The lighting device can be integrated in the image-capturing device or arranged on it or else be positioned separately from it. With the aid of the lighting device, an interior of the household appliance, ie the region of the interior area, which is detected by the image capture device, be illuminated. This variant is particularly recommended if the image capture device is arranged in a darkened area of the household appliance and / or the viewing direction of the image capture device is aligned in a completely darkened or hermetically sealed dark area of the household appliance and / or the image capture device has no residual light amplifier and / or only designed to detect light in the visible range. The lighting device is preferably constructed such that it can be activated or deactivated together with the image capture device.

The problem underlying the invention is achieved according to a second aspect by a method according to the invention with the features of claim 18. This method for detecting an internal state, in particular an internal operating state, of a household appliance comprises the following steps:

a) providing a part of the household appliance, in particular a component thereof, forming image-capturing device on the household appliance itself, and b) optically detecting the state, in particular an internal state, of the household appliance by means of this image capture device.

In this method, therefore, an image capture device is used, which forms a preferably structural unit with the household appliance or is integrated into the household appliance. With the method according to the invention are in

Essentially the same advantages can be achieved, which have already been explained above in connection with the household appliance according to the invention.

The problem underlying the invention is achieved according to a third aspect by an inventive method having the features of claim 19. This method for reducing thermally induced energy losses in a household appliance to be opened and closed, in particular a refrigerator or a heating appliance, having a cavity in which a thermodynamic system can be received, comprises the following steps:

a) providing a part of the household appliance, in particular a component thereof, forming image acquisition device on the household appliance itself;

b) providing an image display device at an external area of the household appliance;

c) optically detecting an internal state of the household appliance in the cavity by means of the image sensing device in a closed state of the household appliance; and

d) optical representation of captured by the image capture device image data of the internal state of the household appliance in the cavity by means of the image display device in the closed state of the household appliance.

The thermodynamic system accommodated in the cavity in the case of heating appliances or refrigerators (such as refrigerators and / or freezers or ovens or the like) is e.g. a gas (for example air) which is taken up in the interior of the domestic appliance and which is cooled or heated, and foodstuffs or stimulants which are arranged in the cavity of the domestic appliance and which are to be cooled, frozen or heated by the corresponding appliance. In the household appliance according to the invention used in the context of the method according to the invention forms expediently a housing of the household appliance, or a

Part of the household appliance, which / which encloses the cavity, the system limit for the recordable in the cavity, thermodynamic system. The term "external area" in step b) is understood to mean that subareas The image display device may also protrude into the interior of the household appliance and be embedded in the housing, but at least that portion of the image display device on which the image is displayed (ie, for example, the pure display) in any case from the outside of the household appliance well recognizable.

Essentially the same advantages can be achieved with the method according to the invention as have already been explained above in connection with the household appliance according to the invention. Since it is not necessary in the method according to the invention to open the domestic appliance in order to optically detect an internal state of the domestic appliance in the cavity, with regard to the thermodynamic system that can be accommodated in the cavity, a substantially closed system or a largely adiabatic system can be used System are maintained, which avoids thermally induced energy losses.

The object underlying the invention is achieved according to a fourth aspect by an inventive kitchen furniture with the features of claim 20. This kitchen furniture has at least one household appliance according to one of claims 1 to 17. With the kitchen furniture according to the invention substantially the same advantages can be achieved, which have already been explained above in connection with the household appliance according to the invention and the method according to the invention.

Preferred embodiments of the invention with additional design details and other advantages are described and explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

It shows:

Fig. 1 is a schematic sectional view through an inventive

Household appliance according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic block diagram of components of the household appliance according to the invention of FIG. 1 with further details; FIG.

Fig. 3 is a schematic sectional view through an inventive

Household appliance according to a second embodiment;

Fig. 4 is a schematic sectional view through an inventive

Household appliance according to a third embodiment; and

Fig. 5 is a schematic frontal view of a group of inventive kitchen furniture with several household appliances according to the invention.

PRESENTATION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

1 is a schematic sectional view through an inventive household appliance 2 according to a first embodiment. In this

Household appliance 2 is a washing machine. FIG. 2 shows a schematic block diagram of essential components of the household appliance 2 of FIG. 1 with further details. The washing machine 2 is designed as a front loader and includes, inter alia, a tub 4 and a rotatably disposed within the tub 4 drum 6. The drum 6 is loadable via a front load opening 8, which is closed by a door 10, with laundry. In conventional washing machines, the door is usually as a transparent porthole or a transparent flap designed. In the inventive washing machine 2 according to the present example, however, the door 10 is made completely opaque or has opaque front areas. In addition, the washing machine 2 is provided with two internal image capturing devices each having a digital color image camera 12, 14 for capturing still images and moving images.

As can be seen in particular from FIG. 1, the first camera 12 is arranged on the inner side 10 a of the door 10. The second camera 14 is arranged in this case on a non-movable housing part 16 a of a housing 16 of the washing machine 2. The housing part 16a is opposite to a removable detergent container 18, in which a detergent or a washing solution can be filled. In Fig. 1, this detergent container 18 is not shown, but it is indicated schematically in Fig. 2. The viewing direction of the first camera 12 is directed into the interior of the washing machine 2, more precisely through the loading opening 8 into the interior of the drum 6. The viewing direction of the second camera 14 is directed into the interior of the detergent container 18.

The first camera 12 is thus adapted and arranged to capture an image of the contents of the drum 6 and the operating state and a resource in the region of the drum 6. With the camera 12, not only an image of the content or the loading condition of the drum 6 can thus be generated, but it can also be detected by means of the camera 12, whether the tub 4 is filled with water, whether detergent is in the water, whether the Drum 6 is loaded with laundry, if, for example the drum 6 rotates, whether parts of the drum 6 are damaged, etc.

The second camera 14 in turn is adapted and arranged to capture an image of a content, an operating condition and a resource of the detergent container 18. In the case of the equipment of

Detergent container 18 can be, for example, detergent filled in container 18 and water introduced into container 18. The detected operating state, in turn, may be, for example, the loading state of the container 18 with detergent and / or the process of introducing water into the container 18.

Both cameras 12, 14 are waterproof and encapsulated detergent or alkali-proof. As can be seen from FIG. 2, each camera 12, 14 is assigned a lighting device 20, 22. The first lighting device 20 is arranged in this case on the inner side 10a of the door 10 and illuminates the inside of the drum 6. The second lighting device 22 is disposed on the housing part 16a and illuminates into the interior of the detergent container 18. The lighting devices 20, 22 are also waterproof and encapsulated in a lye or detergent-proof way. The lighting devices 20, 22 may be e.g. LEDs or conventional incandescent lamps or the like.

The washing machine according to the invention also has an image display device 24 for displaying the images captured by the two cameras 12, 14. This image display device 24 includes a color flat panel 26 or any other suitable display. The flat screen 26 is arranged in this example on an upper front part 28 of the washing machine 2. In principle, however, the flat screen 26 may be disposed at any other suitable location of the washing machine 2, e.g. also on pull-out or fold-out elements or the like. The image display device 24 with its flat screen 26 is adapted to display both the (real) images captured by the cameras 12, 14 and virtual images generated by a data processing device 30. Of the

Flat panel display 26 is designed as a so-called "touch screen" and has touch-sensitive areas that can serve as touch-sensitive control elements for controlling the cameras 12, 14 of the image capture device, the image display device 24 and the washing machine 2 itself. These touch-sensitive control elements are in the form of those of the

Data processing device 30 generated virtual images, such as the image of a switch, push button, slider, etc., representable. In the present case are for the touch-sensitive flat panel 26 is provided a plurality of such controls.

Thus, the flat screen 26 comprises a control element 32 for activating and deactivating the two cameras 12, 14. The control element 32 is formed in this case as a changeover switch, which has a neutral position and a first and second switch position. The two switch positions serve to select between a first display mode for displaying images of the first camera 12 and a second display mode for displaying images of the second camera. In the neutral position, both cameras 12, 14 are switched off. The changeover switch 32 may be designed so that it automatically returns to the neutral position when releasing a respective switch position. This can e.g. be realized by biasing elements. In this example, the operating element or the changeover switch 32 additionally serves for activating and deactivating the first and second lighting devices 20, 22. When activating and deactivating the respective camera 12, 14 by means of the changeover switch 32, the respectively associated one is also simultaneously assigned in this example Lighting device 20, 22 is activated or deactivated.

Furthermore, the flat panel display 26 includes further controls 34 for controlling general washing machine functions, such as e.g. Switching the washing machine 2 on and off, selecting a washing program, a washing temperature, etc. In the present case, the operating elements 34 are likewise integrated in the image display device 24. However, in particular for the control of the image capture device 24 and the image display modes of its flat screen 26, which is associated with the cameras 12, 14, could in principle be provided 26 separate controls from the image display device 24 and its flat screen.

As shown in the schematic block diagram of FIG. 2, the two cameras 12, 14 each have a data and signal line 36, 38 with the data processing device 30 and via this via a further data and signal line 40 with the image display device or the Flat screen 26 connected. The data processing device 30 serves in this example as an image transmission device coupled to the cameras 12, 14 for transmitting the image data of the cameras 12, 14 to the flat screen 26 and for controlling the cameras 12, 14 and the lighting devices 20, 22 by means of the control element 32 In this case, this image transmission device is coupled to the cameras 12, 14 and the illumination devices 20, 22 via data and signal lines 36, 38, 40, in principle a wireless image transmission device could also be used. The lines 36, 38 and 40 are also used in this case to supply power to the components connected thereto.

In Fig. 2 are general washing machine components, which are controllable by means of the control elements 34, indicated schematically by a block with the reference numeral 42. These washing machine components 42 are also functionally connected by at least one data or signal line 44 to the data processing device 30 and the touch-sensitive flat screen 26 functioning as an operating system and its operating elements 34. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the control of these washing machine components 42 may be basically formed independently of the control system of the image sensing device and its associated image display device.

With the washing machine 2 according to the invention according to FIGS. 1 and 2, a method according to the invention for detecting an internal state, in particular an internal operating state, of the washing machine 2 can be realized.

Here, the image capture device with its two cameras 12, 14 is provided on or in the washing machine 2 and forms a component or a structural unit with the same. Then, internal states of the washing machine 2 are optically detected by means of the two cameras 12, 14. The user can thus use the cameras 12, 14 and the image display device and the flat screen 26 to control the internal state or operating state of the washing machine 2 or its subcomponents, without it it is necessary to open the washing machine 2 (in particular to open the door 10) and / or switch it off and to inspect it accordingly. In other words, detection and checking of said states can also take place during operation of the washing machine 2. In this way, the user can control, for example, whether the drum 6 is filled with laundry, whether there is water or washing liquor in the tub 4, if detergent is in the detergent container 18, if water flows into the detergent container 18, if the detergent is completely off Furthermore, it is within the meaning of the invention also conceivable to detect the mixture or composition of the wash liquor contained in the tub 4, to supply these data to the data processing device 30, to analyze by means of this and the liquor mixture or composition Need to adjust automatically (eg by adding extra detergent or by adding extra water). However, such a function could in principle also be achieved with a non-optical sensor.

3 shows a schematic sectional view through an inventive household appliance 46 according to a second embodiment. The freezer 46 has a housing 48 and a chest-type freezer compartment 50 (cavity), which can be closed by a top-side flap or cover 52. Housing 48 and cover 52 have a thermal insulation. As can be seen in the drawing, an image capture device with a miniature digital camera 54 is arranged on the underside 52a of the lid 52, which looks into the freezer compartment 50. At the

Top 52 b of the lid 52 is an image display device with a flat screen 56 is arranged, which is operatively coupled to the camera 54. Objects or foods stored in the freezer 46 are identified by the reference numeral 58. With the help of the camera 54 and the screen 56, a user can look into the freezer compartment 50 and thus the contents of the freezer

46 without having to open the chest freezer 46. The household refrigerating appliance according to the invention (here: a freezer 46) shown in FIG. 3 can thus be used to carry out or in the context of carrying out a method according to the invention for reducing thermally induced energy losses in a household appliance to be opened and closed. In the freezer 46 shown in FIG. 3, the gas (here: air) stored in the freezer compartment 50 and the stored objects 58 constitute a thermodynamic system. The housing 48 of the freezer 46 with its heat-insulated walls, including the heat-insulated lid 52 , which encloses the cavity / freezer compartment 50, forms the system boundary of the thermodynamic system accommodated in the cavity 50. When the lid 52 is closed, there is thus a substantially closed system or a largely adiabatic system.

The method according to the invention comprises the following steps:

a) It is an image capture device 54 as part of the household appliance (freezer 46) or a component thereof (here: the lid 52) provided on the appliance 46 itself. The arrangement of the image capture device 54 or its camera is in this case so that the camera in the interior of the freezer 46, i. in the hollow freezer 50, looks.

b) An image display device is provided at an external area (here: the upper side 52b of the lid 52) of the freezer 46.

The steps a) and b) can be carried out within the framework of the production of the chest freezer 46.

c) Then, during operation of the freezer 46, an internal state of the freezer 46 is detected by the image sensing device 54 in a closed state (ie lid 52 closed) of the freezer 46 in the freezer compartment 50 (cavity). This internal state may be, for example, the filling state of the freezer compartment 50 with the objects 58 or any ice formations in the freezer compartment 50, or the like act.

d) The image data of the internal state of the freezer 46 in the freezer compartment 50 detected by the image acquisition device 54 or its camera

(Cavity) are shown in the closed state of the freezer 46 by means of the flat panel 56 of the image display device.

For detecting and controlling the internal state of the freezer 46, it is thus not necessary to open the freezer 46. Thermally induced

Energy losses, as in conventional freezers by opening the

Freezer chest for the purpose of controlling their internal state occur, therefore, by means of the chest freezer 46 and the invention

Procedure can be avoided. For in the above-described steps c) and d) of the method according to the invention, the closed system or the largely adiabatic system remains unchanged.

4 shows a schematic sectional view through a household appliance 60 according to the invention in accordance with a third embodiment. This domestic appliance is again a refrigerator, i. Here, around a refrigerator and freezer 60. This cabinet 60 has a housing and a arranged in an upper region of the housing freezer compartment 62, which is closed by a first door 64. Furthermore, the cabinet 60 has a below the freezer compartment 62 arranged cooling chamber 66 which is closed by a second door 68. The volume of the cooling chamber 66 in this case is much larger than that of the freezer compartment 62 and is subdivided into different areas A, B, C, D by several separating elements (here: in the form of slide-in shelves 70).

The cabinet 60 is equipped with an image capture device having two miniature color image digital cameras 72, 74. The first camera 72 is stationarily arranged on or in the inside 64a of the first door 64. Their viewing direction is directed into the interior of the freezer compartment 62. The second camera 74 is movably disposed on or inside the inside 68a of the second door 68. More precisely, that is second camera 74 along a rail 76, which extends substantially over the entire height of the cooling space 66 at or in the inside 68a of the second door 68, motorized (eg by means of an unillustrated electromechanical drive, or the like) movable. Although the cooling space 66 is relatively high compared to the freezer compartment 62, the substantially entire cooling space 66 can thus be optically detected over all the areas A to D by means of a single camera 74. The mobility of the second camera 74 is indicated in Fig. 4 by a double arrow. On the outer side 68b of the second door 68 and preferably at eye level of a user, a color flat screen 78 is indicated, with which the captured by the two cameras 72, 74 image data displayed and the cameras 72, 74 and the movement of the camera 74 via corresponding controls can be controlled. Foods stored in refrigerator and freezer 60 are indicated by reference numeral 80

Even with such a refrigerator and freezer 60, a method according to the invention for reducing thermally induced energy losses in a household appliance which can be opened and closed is feasible, as has already been described above in connection with a freezer. In a refrigerator or freezer, this inventive method is particularly effective because when opening the front doors of a conventional refrigerator or freezer the cold air in the interior of the cabinet normally due to their relative to the ambient air specific gravity normally quickly "falls out" of the interior of the cabinet. This normally requires post-cooling of the freezer compartment or refrigerator, even after a relatively short opening of the doors, resulting in a correspondingly high energy consumption.

In contrast, in the case of the refrigerator and freezer 60 according to the invention, it is not necessarily necessary to open the cabinet 60 or its doors 64, 68 to detect and control the internal state of the cabinet 60. Thermally induced energy losses, as in conventional refrigerators and freezers by opening the doors to control the internal State of the cabinet occur, can therefore be effectively avoided by means of the refrigerator and freezer according to the invention 60 and the method according to the invention.

Fig. 5 shows a schematic frontal view of a group of kitchen furniture 82 according to the invention with several household appliances according to the invention. These household appliances are in the present example to a refrigerator and freezer 84 and a (baking) oven 86 and a washing machine 88. The two latter devices 86, 88 are arranged below a countertop 90. Above the oven 86 is still a hot plate 92 is provided. All household appliances 84, 86, 88 according to the invention are equipped with an image capture device with digital camera 94, as previously described in principle in the other examples. The cameras 94, which are each schematically indicated by a circle in FIG. 5, are arranged on or in the inside of a respective door 96, 98, 100 of the respective household appliance 84, 86, 88. An image display device with a color flat screen 102 is provided on or in the front of the door 96 of the refrigerator and freezer 84. This single flat panel 102 serves to display image data of the image capture devices 94 of all household appliances 84, 86, 88 according to the invention.

In contrast to the previously explained examples, in this variant, therefore, a single screen 102 is used in common for a plurality of household appliances 84, 86, 88 according to the invention. There is a wireless or data / signal line provided image transfer device 104, with which the image data from the respective camera 94 of the respective household appliance 84, 86, 88 are transmitted to the image display device and its screen 102. The flat panel 102 in this example has three controls 106 in the form of touch-sensitive areas that allow a user to choose between three display modes for the refrigerator and freezer 84, the oven 86 and the washer 88. Although the front areas or doors of the household appliances 84, 86, 88 according to the invention are configured in this case completely opaque, it is thus possible for a user, the content or internal state of the respective household appliances 84, 86, 88 optionally by the corresponding representation on the individual screen 102 to detect and control.

The invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Within the scope of the appended claims, other embodiments may be practiced. In particular, the various inventive components of the described different embodiments and / or the respective claims can be interconnected or combined.

The image capture device may also be pivotally arranged in one or more axes. The image display device may also be a mobile image display device. Further, it is possible to combine the image display device with a printer to obtain a printout of a respective displayed image. The door of a household appliance according to the invention may be provided with additional components.

Reference signs in the claims, the description and the drawings are only for the better understanding of the invention and are not intended to limit the scope.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

2 washing machine (household appliance)

4 tubs

6 drum

8 loading opening

10 door

10a inside of 10

12 first camera

14 second camera

16 housing

16a Non-movable housing part

18 detergent containers

20 lighting device

22 lighting device

24 image display device

26 color flat screen

28 Upper front part of 2

30 data processing device

32 control / switch

34 Controls for general washing machine functions

36 data and signal line

38 data and signal line

40 data and signal line

42 General washing machine components

44 data or signal line

46 freezer (household appliance)

48 housing

50 freezer room

52 lids

52a bottom of 52

52b top of 52 54 camera

56 flat screen

58 foods

60 refrigerated and Gefherschrank (household appliance)

62 freezer

64 door

64a inside of 64

66 refrigerator

68 door

68a inside of 68

70 dividers / shelves

72 camera

74 camera

76 rail

78 flat screen

80 foods

82 group of kitchen furniture

84 fridge and freezer

86 (baking) oven

88 washing machine

90 worktop

92 hotplate

94 cameras

96 door from 84

98 door of 86

100 door of 88

102 flat screen

104 image transmission device

106 control elements

A-D areas of 66

Claims

claims

1. Home appliance (2; 46, 60; 84; 86; 88) with image capture device (12, 14, 54, 72, 74, 94).

2. Domestic appliance (2; 46, 60; 84; 86; 88) according to claim 1, characterized in that the viewing direction of the image acquisition device (12, 14, 54, 72, 74, 94) in the

Interior of the household appliance (2; 46, 60; 84; 86; 88) or in the interior of a sub-component (18) thereof is directed.

3. Household appliance according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the viewing direction of the image capture device is directed away from the household appliance to an external environment thereof.

A household appliance (2; 46, 60; 84; 86; 88) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the image-capturing device (12, 14, 54, 72, 74, 94) is adapted and arranged to to capture an image of a content of the household appliance (2; 46, 60; 84; 86; 88).

Domestic appliance (2; 46,60; 84; 86; 88) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the image-capturing device (12, 14, 54, 72, 74, 94) is adapted and arranged to an image of an operating state of the household appliance (2; 46,

60; 84; 86; 88).

A domestic appliance (2, 46, 60, 84, 86, 88) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the image capture device (12, 14, 54, 72, 74, 94) is adapted and arranged therefor , an image of a resource of the household appliance (2; 46,

60; 84; 86; 88).

A household appliance (2; 46,60; 84; 86; 88) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the image-capturing device (12, 14, 54, 72, 74, 94) is adapted and arranged to to capture an image of a functional element of the household appliance (2; 46, 60; 84; 86; 88).

8. Household appliance (2) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a housing (16) and the image sensing device (14) on the housing (16) is arranged.

A household appliance (2; 46,60; 84; 86; 88) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a door (10; 52; 64,68; 96,98,100) and the image capture device (12; 54; 72, 74, 94) on the door (10; 52; 64,68; 96;

98, 100) is arranged.

Domestic appliance (2; 46,60; 84; 86; 88) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an image display device (24, 26; 56; 78; 102) for displaying by the image acquisition device (10). 12, 54, 72, 74, 94).

A domestic appliance (2; 46,60; 84; 86; 88) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the image display device (24,26; 56; 78; 102) is adapted to be separated from a

Data processing device (30) to produce generated virtual images.

12. Household appliance (2; 46, 60; 84) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the image display device (24, 26; 56; 78; 102) is mounted on a door (10; 52; 68; 96; ) of the household appliance (2; 46, 60; 84) is attachable.

13. Household appliance (2; 46, 60; 84) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the image display device (26; 102) has a touch-sensitive control element (32, 34; 106).

14. Household appliance (2; 46, 60; 84; 86; 88) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an operating element (32; 106) for activating and / or deactivating at least the image capture device (12; 14, 94), in particular the image acquisition device (12, 14, 94) and the

Image display device (26; 102) or individual image display modes thereof.

A household appliance (2; 46,60; 84; 86; 88) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the operating element (32; 106) is functionally coupled to and adapted to the image display device (26; 102) , both the To activate and / or deactivate an image capture device (12, 14; 94) as well as the image display device (26; 102) for displaying an image captured by the image capture device (12, 14; 94).

A domestic appliance (2; 46,60; 84; 86; 88) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is functionally connected to the image acquisition device (12, 14, 54, 72, 74, 94) and the Image display device (24, 26; 56; 78; 102) coupled image transfer means (30; 104) for transferring image data from the

Image capture device (12, 14, 54, 72, 74, 94) and / or the image display device (24, 26; 56; 78; 102).

17. Household appliance (2) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is provided with a lighting device (20, 22) for illuminating an image-capturing area of the image-capturing device (12, 14).

18. A method for detecting an internal state, in particular internal operating state, of a household appliance (2; 46, 60; 84; 86; 88), comprising the following steps: a) providing a part of the household appliance (2; 46,60; 84; 86, 88), in particular a component (10, 16a, 52, 64, 68, 96, 98,

100) of the same image-forming device (12, 14, 54, 72, 74, 94) on the household appliance (2; 46, 60; 84; 86; 88) itself, and b) optically detecting the state of the household appliance (2; 46 , 60; 84; 86; 88) by means of this image acquisition device (12, 14, 54, 72, 74, 94).

19. A method for reducing thermally induced energy losses in an openable and closable household appliance (46, 60, 84, 86), in particular a refrigeration appliance or heating appliance, having a cavity (50, 62, 66) in which a thermodynamic system can be accommodated is, with following

Steps of: a) providing an image capture device (54, 72, 74, 94) forming part of the household appliance (46, 60; 84; 86), in particular a component (52; 64, 68; 96, 98, 100) thereof the household appliance (46, 60; 84; 86) itself; b) providing an image display device (56; 78; 102) at an external area of the household appliance (46,60; 84; 86); c) optically detecting an internal state of the household appliance (46, 60, 84, 86) in the cavity (50, 62, 66) by means of the image capture device (54, 72, 74, 94) in a closed state

State of the household appliance (46, 60, 84, 86); and d) visualizing image data of the internal state of the household appliance (46, 60, 84, 86) detected in the cavity (50, 62, 66) by the image capture device (54, 72, 74, 94) by means of the image display device (56; 78, 102) in the closed state of the household appliance (46, 60, 84, 86).

20. kitchen furniture (82) with a household appliance (84, 86, 88), according to one of claims 1 to 17.