阅读说明：本技术 程序控制家用电器 (Program controlled household electrical appliance ) 是由 M·卡瓦莱罗马丁斯 B·戈齐扎 J·米尔 C·施特塞尔 于 2020-02-18 设计创作，主要内容包括：本公开涉及一种程序控制家用电器(100),包括：存储器(103),其被配置为能够存储用于根据特定配置操作家用电器(100)的多个存储程序(P1、P2)；用户接口(104),其被配置为能够接收由用户(110)发起的用户交互(111),用户交互(111)指示所述多个存储程序(P1、P2)中的至少一个存储程序；控制器(105),其被配置为能够根据由用户交互(111)指示的所述至少一个存储程序控制(107)家用电器(100)的操作,其中,控制器(105)被配置为能够响应于由用户(110)发起的相同的用户交互(111)从存储器(103)调用所述至少一个存储程序并启动调用的存储程序。(The present disclosure relates to a program-controlled household appliance (100) comprising: a memory (103) configured to be able to store a plurality of stored programs (P1, P2) for operating the household appliance (100) according to a specific configuration; a user interface (104) configured to be capable of receiving a user interaction (111) initiated by a user (110), the user interaction (111) indicating at least one stored program of the plurality of stored programs (P1, P2); a controller (105) configured to be able to control (107) the operation of the household appliance (100) according to the at least one stored program indicated by the user interaction (111), wherein the controller (105) is configured to be able to invoke the at least one stored program from the memory (103) and to start the invoked stored program in response to the same user interaction (111) initiated by the user (110).)

1. A program-controlled household appliance (100), the program-controlled household appliance (100) comprising:

a memory (103) configured to be able to store a plurality of stored programs (P1, P2) for operating the household appliance (100) according to a specific configuration;

a user interface (104) configured to be capable of receiving a user interaction (111) initiated by a user (110), the user interaction (111) indicating at least one stored program of the plurality of stored programs (P1, P2);

a controller (105) configured to be able to control (107) the operation of the household appliance (100) according to the at least one stored program indicated by the user interaction (111),

wherein the controller (105) is configured to be able to invoke the at least one stored program from the memory (103) and to start the invoked stored program in response to the same user interaction (111) initiated by the user (110).

2. Program-controlled domestic appliance (100) according to claim 1,

wherein the controller (105) is configured to be able to invoke the at least one stored program from the memory (103) and to launch the invoked stored program in response to a single user interaction (111) initiated by the user (110).

3. Program-controlled household appliance (100) according to claim 1 or 2,

wherein the user interface (104) is configured to be able to indicate a user-initiated selection of the at least one stored program from the plurality of stored programs (P1, P2).

4. A program-controlled domestic appliance (100) according to claim 3, the program-controlled domestic appliance (100) comprising:

a button (220) configured to enable a user interface (104).

5. Program-controlled domestic appliance (100) according to claim 4,

wherein the invoked stored program is initiated upon release of the button (220).

6. Program-controlled household appliance (100) according to claim 4 or 5, comprising:

a display (106) configured to be able to display the configuration of the at least one stored program indicated by the user interaction (111) when the button (220) is pressed.

7. Program-controlled household appliance (100) according to any one of claims 4 to 6,

wherein the button (220) is configured to indicate a user-initiated selection of the at least one stored program based on a time interval (230) between pressing the button (220) and releasing the button (220).

8. Program-controlled domestic appliance (100) according to claim 7,

wherein the first time interval (233) corresponds to a first favorite stored program (203);

wherein the further time intervals (234, 235, 236) correspond to further favorite stored programs (204, 205, 206).

9. The program-controlled household appliance (100) according to claim 8, the program-controlled household appliance (100) comprising:

a signal transmitter configured to be able to transmit an audible, visual or tactile signal after the end of the first time interval (233) and after the end of each of the further time intervals (234, 235, 236).

10. Program-controlled household appliance (100) according to any one of claims 4 to 9,

wherein the button (220) is configured to be able to indicate a user-initiated selection of the at least one stored program based on an operational state of the household appliance (100), in particular based on: appliance off (200a), appliance on (200b), appliance on (200 c).

11. Program-controlled household appliance (100) according to any one of claims 4 to 10,

wherein the button (220) is electronically emulated by an application (App) running on the wireless terminal.

12. A program-controlled domestic appliance (100) according to claim 3, the program-controlled domestic appliance (100) comprising:

a plurality of buttons (220) configured to enable a user interface (104),

wherein each button of the plurality of buttons (220) is configured to be able to launch a respective favorite stored program (203, 204, 205, 206) upon release of the respective button.

13. A program-controlled domestic appliance (100) according to claim 3, the program-controlled domestic appliance (100) comprising:

a voice interface configured to enable a user interface (104),

wherein the called stored program is started when a specific voice command is received through the voice interface.

14. A method for operating a program controlled household appliance (100) comprising a memory (103), the memory (103) being for storing a plurality of stored programs (P1, P2) for operating the household appliance (100) according to a specific configuration, the method (300) comprising:

receiving (301) a user interaction (111) initiated by a user (110), the user interaction (111) indicating at least one stored program of the plurality of stored programs (P1, P2);

controlling (302) the operation of the household appliance (100) according to the at least one stored program indicated by the user interaction (111),

wherein the controlling (302) comprises invoking the at least one stored program from the memory (103) and initiating the invoked stored program in response to the same user interaction (111) initiated by the user (110).

15. A computer readable non-transitory medium having stored thereon computer instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the method (300) of claim 14.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a program-controlled domestic appliance and a method for operating such a program-controlled domestic appliance. The present disclosure relates in particular to a program controlled household appliance with a simplified user interface for receiving user interactions for controlling the appliance.

Background

For program-controlling a household appliance, such as a laundry treatment machine (washing machine or dryer) or, if necessary, an electric cooker or oven, a predetermined program of factory manufacture is generally performed. In the case of a washing machine, the program is partially selected by entering laundry-related data, such as laundry type, degree of soiling, filling amount, which is typically requested from the user by means of a light indicator or the like. User-initiated changes and/or additions to the program are then ultimately stored. Upon pressing the start button, program control is effected accordingly based on input provided by the user, and an appropriate one of the stored programs is selected.

That is, the user must perform a large number of user actions to start a specific washing/drying course. In the simplest case, the user must perform the following sequence: 1) selecting a storage program; 2) the selected stored program is started.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a solution for easier activation of a program controlled household appliance, in particular a solution with a shortened sequence of user interactions that a user will perform when activating a program controlled household appliance.

The above and other objects are achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Further embodiments are apparent from the dependent claims, the description and the drawings.

The present disclosure is based on the idea of a novel user interface for receiving user interactions from a user for operating a program controlled household appliance. The user interface is based on a reduced number of user actions that the consumer has to perform to initiate a specific washing/drying program. The disclosed solution also works with a greatly reduced user interface, such as a one-touch User Interface (UI).

The appliances and devices described hereinafter may be of various types. For example, the program controlled household or residential appliance may include a washing machine, a dishwasher, a clothes dryer, a drying cabinet, a freezer, a refrigerator, a kitchen range, a water heater, a trash compactor, a microwave oven, an induction cooker, and the like. The various control elements described may be implemented by hardware or software components, e.g., electronic components, which may be produced by various techniques, and include: such as semiconductor chips, ASICs, microprocessors, digital signal processors, integrated circuits, opto-electronic circuits, and/or passive components.

According to a first aspect, the invention relates to a program-controlled household appliance comprising: a memory configured to be capable of storing a plurality of stored programs for operating the home appliance according to a specific configuration; a user interface configured to be capable of receiving a user interaction initiated by a user, the user interaction indicating at least one stored program of the plurality of stored programs; a controller configured to be able to control operation of the household appliance in accordance with the at least one stored program indicated by the user interaction, wherein the controller is configured to be able to invoke the at least one stored program from the memory and to start the invoked stored program in response to the same user interaction initiated by the user.

This provides the advantage that the user can save his favorite program as one of the stored programs. This means that once the user has saved this program at his desired setting (e.g. temperature, speed, rinse cycle, etc.), the next time he wants to run this particular saved program he does not need to check the setting again, since the setting is saved according to his desired setting. This is why invoking the program in this particular case enables it to be started: since the settings are initially saved by the user, there is no need to check the settings.

By invoking the at least one stored program from the memory and starting the invoked stored program in response to the same user interaction initiated by the user, the user interaction sequence can be reduced to a single interaction, allowing the user to very easily activate the program controlled domestic appliance. The household appliance may also be operated based on a greatly reduced user interface, such as a one-touch User Interface (UI). By combining the "call store" and "launch store" with a single function (single button function), the user interaction sequence can be shortened to a single interaction.

In one exemplary implementation form of the program-controlled domestic appliance, the controller is configured to be able to invoke the at least one stored program from the memory and to start the invoked stored program in response to a single user interaction initiated by the user.

Typically, a user requires three interactions: call a program, check/adjust settings (e.g., temperature, speed, etc.), start up program. However, here, when the user calls the stored program that he has saved itself, it means that the settings have also been saved according to the user's wishes. Then, when this stored program is called, there is no need to check/adjust the settings since the settings are saved by the user. This is why invoking and starting it can be done immediately without any further interaction.

Therefore, the implementation workload of the design of the user interface can be reduced and the ease of use can be improved.

In one exemplary implementation form of the program-controlled domestic appliance, the user interface is configured to be able to indicate a user-initiated selection of the at least one stored program from the plurality of stored programs.

This means that the user, when using the user interface, is able to input and/or indicate a desired stored program, e.g. one of his/her favorite programs.

This provides the advantage that the user interface comprises a plurality of functions, which the user can select by a single user interaction the stored program he desires, call this stored program from a plurality of stored programs stored in the memory and launch this stored program. The user may also change the settings of the program and save them.

In one exemplary implementation form of the program-controlled household appliance, the program-controlled household appliance comprises buttons configured to enable a user interface.

The button may be a single button or a multi-function button. Alternatively, multiple buttons, such as multiple single buttons, multiple multi-function buttons, or multiple single and multi-function buttons, may be implemented. The button may be configured to activate a favorite stored program. Such favorite stored programs may have been pre-selected or may be predefined or may be pre-installed or pre-configured.

This provides the following advantages: a single button may be used to select a desired stored program, invoke the stored program from a plurality of stored programs stored in memory, and launch the stored program through a single activation of the button.

In one exemplary implementation form of the program-controlled domestic appliance, the called stored program is started when the button is released.

This provides that both the "pressed" and "released" states of the button can be optimally used to initiate the invoked stored program. When the called stored program is launched upon release of the button, the "pressed" state of the button still has spare functionality. For example, when a button is pressed, the display may display the called stored procedure, e.g., the settings or configurations taken by the called stored procedure, before the user initiates the called stored procedure. Alternatively, a signal, such as a beep, may be sent when the button is pressed to indicate to the user that the invoked stored program will be activated when the button is released.

In one exemplary implementation form of the program-controlled domestic appliance, the program-controlled domestic appliance comprises a display configured to be able to display a configuration of the at least one stored program indicated by the user interaction when the button is pressed.

This provides the advantage that the user can display the current configuration. For example, such a configuration may include maximum temperature, temperature change over time, total time required, rotational speed, and the like.

In the current series of program controlled home appliances, the user may call a favorite program, check/adjust settings and start the program. With the new ideas described in this disclosure, the ping/tweak part can be removed because the favorite programs and their settings are saved by the user himself. Accordingly, the program controlled home appliance according to the present disclosure provides a technical advantage of not requiring the examination of items that the user has initially adjusted.

In one exemplary implementation form of the program-controlled domestic appliance, the button is configured to be able to indicate a user-initiated selection of the at least one stored program based on a time interval between pressing the button and releasing the button.

This provides the advantage that the button can be multifunctional depending on the length of the time interval. For example, a first function may be applied when the button is released after a first time interval, a second function may be applied when the button is released after a second time interval, and so on.

In one exemplary implementation form of the program-controlled domestic appliance, the first time interval corresponds to a first favorite stored program; the further time intervals correspond to further favorite stored programs.

This provides the advantage that multiple stored programs can be activated by a single button.

In one exemplary implementation form of the program-controlled domestic appliance, the program-controlled domestic appliance comprises a signal transmitter configured to be able to transmit an audible, visual or tactile signal after the end of the first time interval and after the end of each of the further time intervals.

This provides the following advantages: the user can effectively be informed of the end of the different time intervals and thus know which of his favourite stored programs was activated when the button was released.

In one exemplary implementation form of the program-controlled domestic appliance, the button is configured to be able to indicate a user-initiated selection of the at least one stored program based on an operating state of the domestic appliance, in particular to indicate a user-initiated selection of the at least one stored program based on: the electrical appliance is turned off, the electrical appliance is turned on, and the electrical appliance is operated.

This provides the advantage that the buttons may have different functions depending on the operating state of the appliance. For example, the same button can be used to start the appliance (when the appliance is in an off state) and stop the appliance (when the appliance is in an on state or an on state). Thus, the user can operate the appliance in an easy and comfortable manner by using a single button.

In one exemplary implementation form of the program-controlled household appliance, the buttons are electronically emulated by an application (App) running on the wireless terminal.

This provides the advantage that the program controlled domestic appliance can be remotely controlled, for example by using an App running on a smartphone or tablet computer or the like. App can be easily implemented because a single button emulated by App is sufficient to control a program controlling a home appliance.

In one exemplary implementation form of the program-controlled household appliance, the program-controlled household appliance comprises a plurality of buttons configured to enable a user interface, wherein each button of the plurality of buttons is configured to enable a respective favorite stored program to be initiated upon release of the respective button.

This provides the advantage that the user can start a number of his favorite stored programs by activating the corresponding button. Such buttons provide an easy and clear user interface to the user.

In one exemplary implementation form of the program-controlled domestic appliance, the program-controlled domestic appliance comprises a voice interface configured to enable a user interface, wherein the invoked stored program is started upon reception of a specific voice command through the voice interface.

This provides the advantage that a single voice command can be used to invoke the stored program and start the stored program in a comfortable and easy way.

According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a method for operating a program-controlled household appliance comprising a memory for storing a plurality of stored programs for operating the household appliance according to a specific configuration, the method comprising: receiving a user interaction initiated by a user, the user interaction indicating at least one stored program of the plurality of stored programs; controlling operation of the household appliance in accordance with the at least one stored program indicated by the user interaction, wherein the controlling comprises calling the at least one stored program from the memory and starting the called stored program in response to the same user interaction initiated by the user.

This provides the advantage that the user can save his favorite program as one of the stored programs. This means that once the user has saved this program at his desired setting (e.g. temperature, speed, rinse cycle, etc.), the next time he wants to run this particular saved program he does not need to check the setting again, since the setting is saved according to his desired setting. This is why invoking the program in this particular case enables it to be started: since the settings are initially saved by the user, there is no need to check the settings.

The favorite program is a program whose setting is saved as a "shortcut" selected by the user. Thus, the user can start his favorite program at any time as a program that he himself has saved (with the settings). This is why the settings no longer need to be changed.

According to a third aspect, the invention relates to a computer-readable non-transitory medium having stored thereon computer instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the method according to the second aspect.

Embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in hardware and/or software.

The above scheme provides the following advantages: the solution can be applied to existing washer/dryer/washer dryer all-in-one machines and appliances. These appliances will then support calling and launching stored/favorite programs in a simpler version. By combining the on/off, invocation, initiation of a program into a single button press, user interaction is minimized and the appliance control panel can be greatly simplified (until only a single button is provided). Control panel cost can be saved by cutting the interface to a minimum number of interactive elements.

Drawings

Further embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the following drawings, in which:

fig. 1 shows a schematic diagram 100 illustrating a program controlled household appliance according to the present disclosure;

fig. 2a shows a schematic diagram 200a illustrating a button 220 for controlling the household appliance 100 according to the program of the present disclosure and an exemplary function of the button 220 when the appliance is switched off;

fig. 2b shows a schematic diagram 200b illustrating a button 220 for controlling the household appliance 100 according to the program of the present disclosure and an exemplary function of the button 220 when the appliance is switched on;

fig. 2c shows a schematic diagram 200c illustrating exemplary functions of the button 220 of the program controlled household appliance 100 and the button 220 when the appliance is running according to the present disclosure;

fig. 3 shows a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary method 300 for operating a program controlled household appliance 100 according to the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific aspects in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other aspects may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, as the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.

For example, it is to be understood that the disclosure relating to the described method may also apply to a corresponding apparatus or system configured to be capable of performing the method, and vice versa. For example, if a particular method step is described, the corresponding apparatus may comprise means for performing the described method step, even if such means are not explicitly described or shown in the figures. Furthermore, it is to be understood that features of the various exemplary aspects described herein may be combined with each other, unless specifically noted otherwise.

In the following, program-controlled domestic or household appliances, such as washing machines, dishwashers, clothes dryers, drying cabinets, freezers, refrigerators, kitchen ranges, water heaters, trash compactors, microwave ovens, induction cookers, etc., are described.

A household or household appliance is an electrical/mechanical machine that performs some household function, such as cooking, cleaning or food preservation. Household appliances can be divided into three categories, including: large household appliances, small household appliances and consumer electronics products. In view of the wide range of uses, the household appliance accompanying the "household appliance" is associated with an appliance definition of "an instrument or device designed for a specific use or function". More specifically, a "household appliance" may be defined as: "device or machine, usually an appliance, in your home and which you use to do work such as cleaning or cooking. The broad use of this definition allows almost any device intended for home use to become a household appliance, including consumer electronics, as well as stoves, refrigerators, toasters and air conditioners, light bulbs and well pumps.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic diagram 100 illustrating a program controlled household appliance according to the present disclosure. The program-controlled household appliance 100 comprises a memory 103 configured to be able to store a plurality of stored programs P1, P2 … … for operating the household appliance 100 according to a specific configuration. The program controlled domestic appliance 100 comprises a user interface 104 configured to be able to receive a user interaction 111 initiated by a user 110. User interaction 111 indicates at least one of the plurality of stored programs P1, P2 … …. For example, the user interface 104 may indicate only one stored program that should be activated, e.g., the user's favorite stored program. Alternatively, more than one stored program, e.g., the pre-wash program and the main wash program, may be indicated as being to be operated sequentially or in parallel.

The program controlled household appliance 100 further comprises a controller 105 configured to be able to control 107 the operation of the household appliance 100 according to at least one stored program indicated by the user interaction 111. The controller 105 is configured to be able to invoke at least one stored program from the memory 103 and to launch the invoked stored program in response to the same user interaction 111 initiated by the user 110. For example, the controller 105 may control the motor or actuator 102, e.g., an electric drive or an electric actuator, of the household appliance 100 according to at least one stored program start-up program.

The controller 105 may be configured to be able to invoke at least one stored program from the memory 103 and initiate the invoked stored program in response to a single user interaction 111 initiated by the user 110.

The user interface 104 may be configured to be capable of indicating a user-initiated selection of at least one of the plurality of stored programs P1, P2 … …. For example, activation of the stored program P1 will be instructed.

The program controlled domestic appliance 100 may comprise buttons configured to enable the user interface 104, such as the buttons 220 described below with respect to fig. 2a to 2 c. The invoked stored program may be initiated upon release of the button 220, for example as described below with respect to fig. 2 a-2 c.

The program-controlled domestic appliance 100 may comprise a display 106 configured to be able to display the configuration of the at least one stored program indicated by the user interaction 111 when the button 220 is pressed.

The button 220 may be configured to be able to indicate a user-initiated selection of at least one stored program based on a time interval 230 between pressing the button 220 and releasing the button 220. For example, the first time interval 233 may correspond to a first favorite stored program 203 and the further time intervals 234, 235, 236 may correspond to further favorite stored programs 204, 205, 206.

The program-controlled domestic appliance 100 may comprise a signal transmitter which transmits an audible, visual or tactile signal after the end of the first time interval 233 and after the end of each of the further time intervals 234, 235, 236. Such signal transmitters may be small horns, buzzers, lights, LEDs, vibrating devices, etc.

The button 220 may be configured to be able to indicate a user-initiated selection of at least one stored program based on an operational state of the household appliance 100, for example based on the following operational states as illustrated below with respect to fig. 2a to 2 c: appliance off 200a, appliance on 200b, appliance on 200 c.

The button 220 may be electronically emulated by an application (App) running on the wireless terminal, e.g. a smartphone or tablet computer.

In one implementation, the program controlled home appliance 100 may include a plurality of buttons 220 configured to enable the user interface 104. Each button of the plurality of buttons 220 may be configured to be capable of launching a respective favorite stored program 203, 204, 205, 206 upon release of the respective button, e.g., as described below with respect to fig. 2 a-2 c.

In one implementation, the program-controlled household appliance 100 may include a voice interface for implementing the user interface 104. The called stored program can be started when a specific voice command is received through the voice interface.

The program-controlled home appliance 100 is capable of operating with a single function and user interaction initiating the function. By combining the "call store" and "launch store" with a single button function, the user interaction sequence can be shortened to a single interaction.

For a generic program, the user may want the parameters and configurations to adapt to their preferences between the selection of a specific laundry treatment program and the start of the program. However, for a stored program, it can be considered that the program has saved the required adaptations compared to the default settings, and the configured time window between selection and start-up is no longer required.

In one implementation, the program should be launched upon button release so that it is possible for the user to check (if available) the settings on the display before confirming the launch of the program. Any other interaction while holding the button may cancel the launch. If the button that activates and initiates the stored procedure is the same button that toggles the appliance on and off, another user interaction may be saved. This function may depend on the time the on/off button is pressed, for example as described below with respect to fig. 2 a-2 c.

Fig. 2a shows a schematic diagram 200a illustrating a button 220 for program controlling the household appliance 100 according to the present disclosure and an exemplary function of the button 220 when the appliance is switched off.

Fig. 2a is an example of operating the home appliance 100 through the button 220 when the appliance is in the operation state "off". The button 220 may be depressed and released. Depending on the time interval 230 of holding 111 the button 220, different functions may be assigned to the button 220 as follows:

-briefly pressing the on/off/start button 220, for example between 0.0 and 0.5 seconds- > appliance on 202.

Pressing the on/off/on button 220 for between 0.5 and 2 seconds, i.e. pressing the on/off/on button 220 for a first time interval 233 > the saved stored program 1 is called 203 and can be activated between 2 and 3 seconds when the button 220 is released.

More than one stored program may be invoked and activated based on the time that the button 220 is pressed. For example, pressing the button 220 can invoke the stored program 2 between 2 seconds and 3 seconds, i.e. within the second time interval 234, and can start it between 3 seconds and 4 seconds when the button 220 is released; pressing the button 220 can invoke the stored program 3 between 3 seconds and 4 seconds, i.e. within the third time interval 235, and can start it between 4 seconds and 5 seconds, e.g. after 4.5 seconds, when the button 220 is released. An audible signal can help the user to indicate when the button 220 can be released.

The symbol 210 may be attached to the home appliance 100 with a proximity button 220 to indicate the function of the button 220. The symbols 210 shown in fig. 2a to 2c indicate power on/off and start/stop functions.

Fig. 2b shows a schematic diagram 200b illustrating a button 220 for controlling the household appliance 100 according to the program of the present disclosure and an exemplary function of the button 220 when the appliance is switched on.

Fig. 2b is an example of operating the home appliance 100 through the button 220 when the appliance is in the operation state "on". The button 220 may be depressed and released. Depending on the time interval 230 of holding 111 the button 220, different functions may be assigned to the button 220 as follows:

-briefly pressing the on/off/on button 220, for example between 0.0 and 0.5 seconds- > appliance off 212.

Pressing the on/off/on button 220 for between 0.5 and 2 seconds, i.e. within the first time interval 233 > the saved stored program 1 is called 203 and can be started between 2 and 3 seconds when the button 220 is released.

More than one stored program may be invoked and activated based on the time that the button 220 is pressed. For example, pressing the button 220 can invoke the stored program 2 between 2 seconds and 3 seconds, i.e. within the second time interval 234, and can start it between 3 seconds and 4 seconds when the button 220 is released; pressing the button 220 can invoke the stored program 3 between 3 seconds and 4 seconds, i.e. within the third time interval 235, and can start it between 4 seconds and 5 seconds, e.g. after 4.5 seconds, when the button 220 is released. An audible signal can help the user to indicate when the button 220 can be released.

Fig. 2c shows a schematic diagram 200c illustrating exemplary functions of the buttons 220 of the program controlled household appliance 100 according to the present disclosure and the buttons 220 when the appliance is running.

-briefly press on/off/on button 220- > appliance off 222.

Pressing the on/off/start button 220 initiates the pause run procedure 223 between 0.5 seconds and 1 second or longer. An audible signal can help the user to indicate when the button can be released. An audible signal indicates a pause.

Fig. 3 shows a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary method 300 for operating a program controlled household appliance 100 according to the present disclosure. The method 300 may be used for operating a program controlled household appliance 100 as described above with respect to fig. 1, the program controlled household appliance 100 described above with respect to fig. 1 comprising a memory 103 for storing a plurality of stored programs P1, P2 … … for operating the household appliance 100 according to a specific configuration.

Method 300 includes receiving 301 a user interaction 111 initiated by a user 110, the user interaction 111 indicating at least one stored program of a plurality of stored programs P1, P2 … ….

The method 300 comprises controlling 302 the operation of the household appliance 100 according to at least one stored program indicated by the user interaction 111, wherein the controlling 302 comprises invoking the at least one stored program from the memory 103 and starting the invoked stored program in response to the same user interaction 111 initiated by the user 110.

Another aspect of the disclosure relates to a computer program carrier comprising program code for performing the above-mentioned methods and steps or functions when executed on a computer or processor. The method may be implemented as program code that may be stored on a non-transitory computer medium. The computer program carrier may implement the above-described techniques. Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a computer-readable non-transitory medium having stored thereon computer instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the method 300 as described above.

While a particular feature or aspect of the disclosure may have been disclosed with respect to only one of several implementations or embodiments, such feature or aspect may be combined with one or more other features or aspects of the other implementations or embodiments as may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms "includes," has, "or other variants thereof are used in either the detailed description or the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term" comprising. Moreover, the terms "exemplary," "e.g.," are merely examples, and are not optimal or optimal. The terms "coupled" and "connected," as well as derivatives, may have been used. It will be understood that these terms are intended to indicate that two elements co-operate or interact with each other, whether or not they are in direct physical or electrical contact, or whether or not they are in direct contact with each other.

Although specific aspects have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a variety of alternate and/or equivalent implementations may be substituted for the specific aspects shown and described without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the specific aspects discussed herein.

Although the elements of the following claims are recited in a particular order, unless the claim recitations otherwise indicate a particular order for implementing some or all of those elements, those elements are not necessarily intended to be limited to being implemented in that particular order.

Many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the above teachings. Of course, those skilled in the art will readily recognize that there are numerous applications for the present invention other than those described herein. While the invention has been described with reference to one or more particular embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that many changes may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.