DE102007058693A1 - Household appliance e.g. stove, for performing grill operation, has deactivation mechanism that is equipped to permanently deactivate device function of appliance after reaching running time end - Google Patents

Abstract

The appliance e.g. stove (1), has a deactivation mechanism i.e. control device (6), for limiting running time of the appliance. The mechanism is equipped to permanently deactivate a device function e.g. overheat, of the appliance after reaching running time end. The running time includes length of time and/or number of actuations. Deactivation of the function is displayable at a LCD display (5). A warning about the deactivation of the function is displayed before the deactivation at the display. The mechanism controls the functions.

Description

The The invention relates to a household appliance having a deactivation device for limiting a running time of the household appliance.

Out US 4,700,296 For example, there are known a method and apparatus for controlling customer access to loaner devices such as refrigerators, washing machines, dryers or televisions located in the customer's home or at another location remote from the direct physical control of the lender. This is achieved by using a separate, retrofitted control module connected to a card reader for programming such a module to the device. A limited time customer access is made possible by providing a map correspondingly coded by a lender. A threatening and a successful expiry of the loan period is displayed.

Out WO 87/03389 For example, rental equipment, such as televisions, are known, which are equipped with a timer that operates a relay to connect power to the equipment only during the time that a rental fee has been paid. The timer includes a magnetic stripe reader and a decoder to generate digital signals that match a magnetic stripe that has been encoded with the loan duration and identifying information at the location where the rental fee is being paid. The timer includes a real time clock and a microprocessor to compare the current time with the time on loan. Indicators of current time and loan expiration time are provided, as well as both visible and audible alarms to indicate a near end of the loan period.

Out WO 03/017169 For example, a system and method are known for automatically tracking and enabling the operation of a product. For this, a registration key issued after purchase is presented and from this a device identification code is derived. If the derived device identification code matches a stored device identification code, data is automatically sent to the product for activation.

US 2004/0257198 discloses a non-generic, pre-installed device with initially limited usability. The device could be any large device installed before purchasing a building or facility. Unlimited use will only be released after purchasing and entering a corresponding code. The device can also be initially supplied fully usable for a first, limited period of time and installed and be disabled after the limited period of time to be released after purchasing and entering the appropriate code. WO 2006/053042 describes a refinement thereof, which also issues a warning about a lapse of the first, limited period of time.

The The above devices are intended for introduction into the traffic and set up a payment (rent or purchase) by the Ensure users by deactivating. After payment must with these devices a renewed activation for one limited period (rental) or permanent (sale) ensured be.

For Fairs, presentations, house trials, etc. are often Devices from pre-zero series, zero series and series starts ("Mustergeräte") awarded. They are not for The sale is determined because they are often not yet the series production correspond. Some of these devices will not be returned and difficult to track. Occasionally fall in customer service repairs as alleged warranty claim even though they are not intended for end customers.

The The object of the present invention is an abuse of model devices.

The Task is by means of a household appliance according to claim 1 solved. Advantageous embodiments are in particular the dependent claims.

The Household appliance has a deactivation device for Limiting a life of the household appliance, wherein the deactivation device is arranged to at least one Device function of the household appliance after reaching permanently disable a runtime end. In contrast to The prior art is not a reactivability of the household appliance or its at least one deactivated function provided. This will make the home appliance partial or complete unusable.

This Household appliance has the advantage that in particular Non-serial devices, which are not yet in the intended series condition be withdrawn from circulation. This can be under to ensure that only devices of a brand with all intended safety features in circulation.

One device function or several (including all) device functions can be deactivated. If several device functions are deactivated, they can be switched within a given time be tuned one after the other. Device functions can be all functions provided for operating a domestic appliance. Examples include: (a) on the oven, the functions' top heat ',' bottom heat ', recirculation', 'grill operation', etc .; (b) on the hob: the function of individual or all hobs, 'cooking control', 'timer', etc .; (c) in the case of the refrigerator, the defrost function or the operation of a refrigerated compartment, in particular a freezer, etc .; (d) in the washing machine, single or all of the washing, rinsing, spinning and (in the washer-dryer) dryer programs, and so on.

Prefers becomes a household appliance, in which a deactivation of the Device function is displayed on a display unit. This will alert a user that the shutdown was intended is and does not constitute a malfunction.

Prefers becomes a household appliance, where a warning over Deactivation of the device function before deactivation is displayed on a display unit.

to Tracking (user capture) becomes a home appliance particularly preferred in which via the deactivation the device function contact data on the display unit can be displayed are.

For example can after deactivation or warning on display a request to contact, which displays contact information, eg. B. a telephone number. Received via this phone number the manufacturer or dealer then possibly information about the whereabouts of the household appliance. The manufacturer or dealer can then decide if the device will be replaced.

The Runtime can basically be any parameter that when operating the household appliance this after a certain Time deactivated, which is defined by the end of the term as a limit. It may be preferred if the transit time comprises a period of time, the term end then corresponds to a predetermined maximum period of time, z. B three months. Reaching the end of the term, for example by means of an internal clock and a correspondingly furnished Comparative unit to be detected, which already elapsed Time compared with the predetermined time period. Alternatively, the Running time of the cumulative operating time of the device. Alternatively or additionally, the runtime may be a number at actuations, the end of the term then corresponds a predetermined maximum number of operations ( and / or shutdowns), z. B. 500 actuations.

Prefers Furthermore, a household appliance, wherein the deactivation device with a control device for controlling device functions is coupled. The controller may, for. B. the central control device of a household appliance and include a Have microcontroller. The deactivation device can then in particular one separate from the controller and possibly separate built-in Be device.

It However, it is particularly preferred if the deactivation device a functional part of a control device for controlling Device features is because so on a separate device can be waived.

The Deactivation device may generally be used in hardware, firmware, Software or a combination thereof. Especially preferred it is when the deactivation device in the form of in the control device Implemented process steps is present. The software of home appliances is then preferably with a program or a subroutine provided after a certain period of time the device turns off and thus makes unusable. The concrete implementation is within the usual expertise and needs here not to be detailed.

to Prevention of circumvention of the distribution protection, eg. B. by Dealer, a home appliance is preferred at the runtime is factory set.

The Type of household appliance is not limited and For example, a stove, a refrigerator, a Washing machine, dishwasher, coffee machine, kitchenettes and so on.

In In the following embodiment, a limited use Household appliance described in more detail schematically.

FIG sketchy as a view from diagonally forward one limited use cooker.

FIG shows a stove 1 as an exemplary home appliance that has an oven 2 and four cookers at the top 3 having. The operation of the stove 1 via control elements (here: rotary knob 4 ) and display elements (here: an LCD display 5 ). The activation of the appliance functions of the oven 2 and the hotplates 3 takes place by means of a control device 6 in a basically known way.

In the control device 6 In addition, a deactivation function is integrated, which is set up to all the device function of the hearth 1 bezüg Lich the operation of the oven 2 and the hotplates 3 Permanently disable after reaching a predetermined, factory set maximum operating time of three months. Because the deactivation function in the controller 6 integrated, it can not handle or without removing the control device 6 remove.

One month before the maximum operating time expires, appears on the display 5 A warning: 'Operating time soon expired. Keep the start button pressed '. If the start button is held down, the text will appear on the display: 'Call Hotline Tel: 0170 XXX XXX and enter code YYYYYY'.

After a month, the stove becomes 1 turned off and stopped working. On the display 5 a deactivation message appears: 'Operating time expired. Keep the start button pressed '. If the start button is held down, it will appear on the text display: 'Hotline Tel: 0170 XXX XXX calling and specifying code YYYYYY'.

about the hotline is given by the manufacturer over the specified and permanently implemented identification code in the device as well as details of the caller the desired Information about where the device is located. It can then be decided whether the device should be replaced or not.

Of course the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiment.

1

stove

2

oven

3

cooking

4

control knobs

5

LCD display

6

control unit

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• US 4700296 [0002]
• WO 87/03389 [0003]
• WO 03/017169 [0004]
• US 2004/0257198 [0005]
• WO 2006/053042 [0005]

Claims (10)

Household appliance ( 1 ), comprising a deactivation device ( 6 ) for limiting a running time of the household appliance ( 1 ), characterized in that the deactivation device ( 6 ) is adapted to at least one device function of the household appliance ( 1 ) permanently disable after reaching a term end. Household appliance ( 1 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that a deactivation of the at least one device function on a display unit ( 5 ) can be displayed. Household appliance ( 1 ) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a warning about a deactivation of the device function before deactivation on a display unit ( 5 ) can be displayed. Household appliance ( 1 ) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that after the deactivation of the device function and / or after the warning about the deactivation of the device function contact data on the display unit ( 5 ) are displayed. Household appliance ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the duration comprises a period of time and / or a number of operations. Household appliance ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the deactivation device is coupled to a control device for controlling device functions. Household appliance ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the deactivation device is a functional part of a control device ( 6 ) is to control device functions, in particular by the deactivation device is in the form of implemented in the control device operating steps. Household appliance ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the running time is set at the factory. Household appliance ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has a stove ( 1 ), a fridge, a washing machine or a dishwasher. Household appliance ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is a sample device.