WO2017042195A1

WO2017042195A1 - System and communication module for controlling a domestic appliance

Info

Publication number: WO2017042195A1
Application number: PCT/EP2016/071035
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rafael Kirschner; Philip LAUKART
Original assignee: BSH Hausgeräte GmbH
Priority date: 2015-09-10
Filing date: 2016-09-07
Publication date: 2017-03-16

Abstract

The description relates to a system 100 for collective use of a domestic appliance 110. The system 100 comprises a control unit 101 that is set up to ascertain that a user wishes to use the domestic appliance 110 in a first period. In this case, the control unit 101 and the domestic appliance 110 are at separate locations from one another. The system 100 further comprises a communication module 120 that is set up to break or make an electrically conductive connection between the domestic appliance 110 and an electrical supply source 130. The communication module comprises a socket into which a power supply connector of the domestic appliance 110 can be plugged. The control unit 101 is further set up to use a WAN communication link 102 to prompt the communication module 120 to form the electrically conductive connection for the first period.

Description

System and communication module for controlling a

household appliance

The invention relates to a system by which one or more household appliances, in particular laundry care machines can be controlled. Furthermore, the invention relates to a communication module that can be used in such a system.

Today, in multi-party homes and / or dedicated laundromats, laundry care machines (e.g., washing machines or clothes dryers) are provided which may be used against payment by different users. In this case, the payment of a use (for example with special coins or tokens) and / or the reservation of such a shared laundry care machine usually proves to be cumbersome.

EP 2 701 339 A2 describes a system with which washing machines can be reserved from a smartphone. However, the system described in EP 2 701 339 A2 requires an adaptation of the individual washing machines of the system.

The payment of a household appliance for use, or the mere administration, in particular organization or collection, the use of a household appliance, also applies to other household appliances as laundry care, such as large and small household appliances for use in a kitchen of a private household, and in other contexts consideration.

The present document deals with the technical problem of providing a system which enables a comfortable and reliable sharing of household appliances in an efficient way, in particular without adaptation of the household appliance or household appliances.

The object is solved by the subject matters of the independent claims. Advantageous, optional embodiments and aspects are described in the dependent claims and the following description and in the appended drawings. represented. Various optional aspects can be used individually or in different combinations with each other.

In one aspect, a system for sharing a home appliance is described. The domestic appliance can be a laundry care machine, in particular a washing machine, a tumble dryer and / or a washing dryer. The system includes a control unit configured to determine that a user wishes to use the home appliance in a first time period. In this case, the control unit may include a processor, in particular a server. The control unit is physically separate from the household appliance. For example, the household appliance can be designed as a laundry care machine and arranged in a multi-party house or in a laundromat or designed as a kitchen appliance and arranged in a kitchen. On the other hand, the control unit may be located outside the block of flats of the laundromat or kitchen, e.g. in a server room. Typically, a control unit is provided for the control of a plurality of different household appliances, wherein the different household appliances may be placed in different locations.

The system further includes a communication module configured to separate or form an electrically conductive connection between the home appliance and an electrical supply source (e.g., an electrical supply network). The communication module preferably has a socket into which a supply plug of the household appliance can be adjusted. The control unit is further configured to cause the communication module to form the electrically conductive connection for the first time period via a WAN communication link (i.e., via a Wide Area Network, WAN link).

The system thus enables a user to remotely activate or reserve a household appliance for use via a central control unit. In this case, a conventional household appliance can be used, the supply plug can be plugged into a socket of the communication module. The supply current transmitted via the communication module and the plug connection from the supply plug and socket can be made possible or prevented by the communication module. to become. Thus, a comfortable and reliable shared use of a household appliance can be provided in an efficient manner (in particular without adaptation of a laundry care machine).

The control unit may be further configured to determine that no user wants to use the household appliance in a second time period. In addition, the control unit may cause the communication module via the WAN communication link to disconnect the electrical connection for the second time period. Thus, it can be prevented that a user uses the household appliance without prior reservation (while possibly blocking a later, reserved use). As a result, the reliability of sharing the household appliance can be further increased.

The use of a WAN communication link is advantageous because it prevents the installation of a dedicated LAN (Local Area Network) or WLAN (Wireless LAN) network in the environment of the communication module. Furthermore, WAN communication links, in particular wireless, cellular communication links, for example GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), GPRS (General Packet Radio Service), EDGE (Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution) and / or UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications Services ) Communication connections, even in rooms and especially in cellars sufficient reception for communication between the communication module and the control unit. Thus, by using a WAN communication link, a reliable and cost-efficient shared use of a household appliance can be made possible. The communication module may include a controllable switch (eg, a relay) configured to (electrically) disconnect the electrically conductive connection between the household appliance and the electrical supply source by opening the switch, or by closing the switch, the electrically conductive connection between the household appliance and form the electrical supply source or manufacture. By using a controllable switch, a cost-effective activation or blocking of the household appliance can thereby be effected. Alternatively or additionally, the communication module may include controllable limiting means, which are set up to limit an electrical power that can be provided via the electrically conductive connection between the domestic appliance and the electrical supply source (in particular to a value greater than zero). Thus, for example, a power limitation can be carried out, which, for example, in the case that the household appliance is a Wäschepflegemaschine, opening the door of the Wäschepflegemaschine allows (so that a user can remove laundry), but does not allow execution of an operating program of the Wäschepflegemaschine. By using controllable limiting means, a cost-effective and comfortable activation or blocking of a domestic appliance can be effected.

The communication module is preferably physically separate from the household appliance. Thus, a generic (and thus cost-efficient) communication module can be provided that can unlock or lock different types of home appliances. In particular, the communication module may comprise a socket into which a power plug (e.g., a standard power plug) of the home appliance may be plugged. Furthermore, the communication module may include a connection line (possibly with a standardized power plug) to the supply source (e.g., to a public utility network). Further, the communication module may be configured to isolate an electrically conductive connection between the socket and the connection line (e.g., by means of the aforementioned controllable switch).

The communication module may include a current sensor (eg, an electricity meter) configured to sense an indicator of the amount of electrical energy flowing across the electrically conductive connection. Furthermore, the communication module may be configured to send the indicator of the amount of electrical energy to the control unit via the WAN communication link. The control unit may be further configured to determine, based on the electric energy amount indicator, whether the home appliance is being used or not. Alternatively or additionally, the control unit can be set up to determine which operating program of the household appliance is used (eg by means of a stored allocation table). Alternatively or additionally, the control unit can be set up to determine a usage fee for the use of the household appliance and, if necessary, to bill it (electronically). Thus, a generic communication module allows a precise management and billing of a shared household appliance. A usable according to various selectable operating programs household appliance is, for example, a Wäschepflegemaschine or a cooking appliance, such as an oven. The control unit may be configured to manage a digital calendar that indicates one or more future periods when the home appliance is being used. Furthermore, the digital calendar can display a user who uses the household appliance. Furthermore, the digital calendar may allow a user to reserve a future period for use of the home appliance. For this purpose, the control unit may for example provide a web interface via which the digital calendar can be viewed and / or edited. Alternatively or additionally, a software application (in particular a so-called app) can be provided, which enables a user to view or edit the digital calendar via a separate electronic device. The control unit may be configured to enable or disable the home appliance depending on the digital calendar. By providing a digital calendar, comfortable and reliable shared use of a household appliance can be facilitated.

The system may include an electronic device (e.g., a smartphone or a tablet PC) of a user. The electronic device and the control unit are typically spatially separated from each other. The electronic device may be configured (e.g., by means of an app) to detect an input indicating that the user wishes to use the home appliance during the first time period. Furthermore, the electronic device may be configured to send information concerning the detected input to the control unit via another WAN communication link. Thus, a user is allowed to conveniently book a home appliance.

The communication module and the household appliance can be connected to each other via a data interface (eg via a LAN connection). The provision of an additional data interface makes it possible to further increase the convenience and reliability of the sharing of a household appliance. The communication module can be set up to forward first data, which was received via the WAN communication connection from the control unit, to the household appliance via the data interface. Alternatively or additionally, the communication module can be set up to forward second data, which was received via the data interface from the household appliance, to the control unit via the WAN communication link.

The first data may be e.g. Information to authorize the user to use the household appliance in the first period include. The system may also comprise the household appliance itself and the household appliance may be arranged to enable or prohibit the user from using the household appliance in the first period in dependence on the information for authorization. By transmitting and verifying authorization information, the reliability of shared use of a household appliance can be further increased. The second data may e.g. Information about a used in the first period operating program of the household appliance include. The control unit can then be set up to determine a usage fee for the use of the household appliance as a function of the information about the operating program used and, if necessary, to settle it (electronically). Thus, the convenience of sharing a household appliance can be further increased.

As stated above, the system typically includes a plurality of communication modules for a corresponding plurality of home appliances. The control unit is typically configured to control the sharing of the plurality of home appliances through the corresponding plurality of communication modules. Typically, inputs from a variety of users (from a variety of electronic devices) may be captured and managed. Thus, an efficient system for sharing household appliances can be provided. The communication module may comprise locking means arranged to lock a plug connection between the household appliance supply plug and the socket of the communication module. Thus, the reliability of a shared use of the household appliance can be further increased in an efficient manner. the. In particular, it can thus be avoided that a household appliance is used inappropriately by bridging the communication module.

In another aspect, a communication module for a home appliance sharing system is described. The communication module preferably comprises a socket into which a power plug of the household appliance can be plugged. The communication module is set up to separate or form an electrically conductive connection between the household appliance and an electrical supply source. Furthermore, the communication module is set up to receive a control signal via a WAN communication connection. The control signal indicates whether the household appliance should be enabled or disabled for use in a first period. The communication module is further configured to disconnect the electrically conductive connection in response to the control signal in the first time period. The communication module thus efficiently enables a reliable and convenient reservation of a household appliance by a user.

It should be understood that the devices and systems described herein may be used alone as well as in combination with other devices and systems described in this document. Furthermore, any aspects of the apparatus and systems described in this document can be combined in a variety of ways. In particular, the features of the claims can be combined in a variety of ways.

Furthermore, the invention will be described in more detail by means of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. Showing:

Figure 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary system for controlling a shared laundry care machine. As stated above, the present document deals with the comfortable and reliable use of a household appliance, in particular a laundry care machine, by a multiplicity of different users. In this connection, FIG. 1 shows an exemplary system 100 with a central control unit 101, wherein the Control unit 101 is arranged to communicate via a first communication link (in particular via a wireless WAN communication link) 102 with a communication module 120 for a shared laundry machine 1 10. Furthermore, the control unit 101 is set up to communicate via a second communication connection (in particular via a wireless WAN communication link) 103 with an electronic device 140 (eg with a smartphone or a tablet PC) of a user.

The electronic device 140 has an input / output module (e.g., a touch-sensitive screen) through which the user can input and view output. In particular, an SW application (a so-called app) can run on the electronic device 140, which allows a user to make a request for the use of the laundry care machine 1 10 to the control unit 101. In this case, it may be possible for a user to reserve a period for the use of the laundry care machine 1 10 via the electronic device 140. For example, the control unit 101 can maintain a digital calendar for the use of the laundry care machine 1 10, and the user can be enabled to reserve a certain period of time in the digital calendar.

Alternatively or in addition to a reservation of periods for the use of a Wäschepflegemaschine 1 10 10 can be managed by the control unit 101, a virtual queue for the use of a Wäschepflegemaschine 1 10. For example, a user may be allowed to enter a queue for an already used laundry care machine. The user can then be informed at a given time that the laundry care machine 1 10 is ready for use. The user may be further enabled to block the laundry machine 1 10 (for a certain period of time) to prepare for use of the laundry machine 1 10. A queuing concept may possibly be advantageous over a reservation concept, since the higher flexibility allows the utilization rate of a laundry care machine 10 to be increased.

The control unit 101 is further configured to control the communication module 120 of the laundry care machine 1 10 in response to an input of the user. The communication module 120 may be configured to have an electrical supply line 1 14 of the Wäschepflegemaschine 1 10 with an electrical supply network 130 (or with a connecting line 131 to the supply network 130) to connect or to separate the electrical supply line 1 14 of the Wäschepflegemaschine 1 10 of the electrical supply network 130. For this purpose, the communication module 120 may include a controllable switch 122 (eg, a relay) configured to establish or disconnect the electrical conductive connection between supply line 14 of the laundry care machine 110 and the electrical utility network 130.

The communication module 120 further includes a controller 121 (eg, having a processor) configured to receive a control signal over the first communication link 102 from the controller 101 and to close the switch 122 in response to the control signal , For example, the control unit 101 may cause the communication module 120 to close (and thus form an electrically conductive connection) the switch 122 in a period of time in which the laundry care machine 110 has been reserved by a user. The laundry machine 1 10 is then connected to the electrical supply network 130 during this period and can thus be used by the user. On the other hand, the control unit 101 may cause the communication module 120 to open the switch 122 in a period (and thus to disconnect an electrically conductive connection), in which there is no reservation for the Wäschepflegemaschine 1 10. The laundry care machine 110 is then not connected to the electrical supply network 130 during this period and can therefore not be used. Thus, an improper use of the laundry care 1 10 can be avoided.

Laundry care machines 1 10 are often installed in basements where wireless communication is often restricted (in particular communication via a wireless local area network, WLAN). The communication module 120 may therefore be configured to communicate via a Global System for Mobile Communications, GSM, especially via the GSM data services such as GPRS and / or EDGE. Through the use of GSM, a wireless communication link between a central control unit 101 (eg, with a back-end server) and a plurality of distributed communication modules 120 (for a corresponding plurality of distributed laundry care machines 110) can be provided in an efficient and reliable manner. the. A communication module 120 may include a suitable antenna 124 for establishing a GSM-based first communication link 102.

The communication module 120 may further include a current sensor 123 (in particular, an electricity meter) configured to detect an indicator of the amount of electrical energy received from the laundry network 130 during a reserved period of time from the laundry network 130. In particular, the amount of electricity consumed can be detected as an indicator of the amount of electrical energy. The indicator for the amount of electrical energy can be transmitted via the first communication link 102 to the central control unit 101. Furthermore, the control unit 101 can calculate the use of the laundry machine 1 10 as a function of the indicator for the amount of electrical energy to the user. For example, for this purpose, an electronic billing of the use (for example, by means of stored billing data). Thus, the convenience of using a shared Wäschepflegemaschine 1 10 can be increased.

The laundry machine 1 10 typically includes an input / output module 1 1 1 through which a user can control the laundry machine 1 10. In particular, the user can select a suitable operating program and / or activate or deactivate the laundry care machine 110. The laundry machine 1 10 further comprises a control 1 12, which is adapted to operate the Wäschepflegemaschine 1 10 in response to an input of the user.

During the period reserved by the electronic device 140, the user can use the laundry care machine 1 10 (which is enabled by the communication module 120). The amount of energy consumed can be detected by the current sensor 123 of the communication module 120 and provided for billing. On the basis of the detected indicator for the amount of electrical energy may possibly be deduced a used operating program of the laundry care 1 10. In particular, the central control unit 101 can be set up to access an allocation table which assigns a specific operating program to an indicator for the amount of electrical energy. Thus, an operating program-dependent billing of the use of the laundry care 1 10 done (without that a dedicated decorated data interface between the laundromat 1 10 and the central control unit 101 for the exchange of information about the operating program exists).

The communication module 120 may be independent of the type or manufacturer of the washing machine 1 10. In particular, the communication module 120 may possibly only be connected to the laundering machine 110 via the electrical supply line 14. For example, the communication module 120 may include a socket into which a (typically standardized) power plug of the electrical supply line 14 (eg, a type C (CEE 6/17) plug, a type E (CEE 7/5) plug, a plug of type F (CEE 7/4) or a plug of type E + F (CEE 7/7)). Thus, a generic (and therefore cost-efficient) communication module 120 for different types of laundry care machines 110 may be provided. Nevertheless, by recording an indicator for the amount of electrical energy, a precise usage-dependent and possibly operating-program-dependent billing can be carried out.

Possibly. For example, the communication module 120 may include a data interface 1 13 to the laundry care machine 110 (e.g., a LAN interface) through which data may be exchanged between the communication module 120 and the laundry care machine 1 10. For example, the laundry care machine 1 10 can tell the communication module 120 which operating program has been selected. This information can then be, e.g. for billing the usage, to be communicated to the central control unit 101.

Alternatively or additionally, the laundry care machine 1 10 can be informed about the authorization of a user (for example an access code) for the use of the laundry care machine 1 10 via the data interface 13. The Wäschepflegemaschine 1 10 can then ask the user via the input / output module 1 1 1 to authorize before use. Thus, an unauthorized use of the laundry care 1 10 can be avoided.

The communication module 120 may be configured to communicate with one or more other communication modules via a local area network (LAN) and / or a direct communication link. In particular, in a Home (eg, a basement), a master communication module 120 configured to communicate with the central control unit 101 via a WAN communication link 102. Furthermore, the master communication module 120 may be configured to communicate with one or more slave communication modules via a local communication link (not shown in FIG. 1), wherein the slave communication modules are not enabled, directly via a WAN communication link 102 to communicate with the central control unit 101. It can thus be provided comparatively cost-favorable slave communication modules. The local communication can take place eg via WLAN, Bluetooth, Zigbee and / or Power Line Communication (PLC). The master communication module can be set up to enable a proxy for a communication for a slave communication module with the central control unit 101. Thus, a plurality of laundry machines 110 can be efficiently provided for sharing.

A communication module 120 may include a card reader (not shown in FIG. 1) (eg, an NFC (Near Field Communication) transceiver) that allows a user with a map to directly use a corresponding laundry machine 110 for use block and / or pay for the use of the laundry machine 1 10. Furthermore, the communication module 120 may include a local input and / or output unit 125 that enables local / direct communication between a user and the communication module 120. For example, an output unit 125 (e.g., one or more LEDs) may indicate whether a laundry machine 1 10 is reserved or available. Furthermore, via an input unit 125 by a user, an available Wäschepflegemaschine 1 10 are taken directly on site.

The communication module 120 may include locking means configured to lock a plug connection between a plug of the laundry care appliance 110 and a corresponding socket of the communication module 120. The lock can be solved, for example, by a key and / or electronically. Thus, unauthorized use of a Wäschepflegemaschine 1 10 can be prevented. Thus, a system 100 is described that allows laundry care machines 110 (such as washing machines, tumble dryers, or washer-dryers) to be integrated into a network that allows a user to find a collaborative laundry care machine 110 in a particular environment (Location determination), a washing machine 1 10 to check for availability (device status determination), a Wäschepflegemaschine 1 10 if necessary to reserve (reservation for an immediate or future use), a Wäschepflegemaschine 1 10 to use (device activation, possibly with a controller / Selection of an operating program) and / or use of a Wäschepflegemaschine 1 10 to pay (eg, according to a number of completed washes or to the minute or exact consumption).

The network of laundry care machines 1 10 has communication modules 120, of which in each case a communication module 120 is assigned to a laundry care machine 1 10. A communication module 120 has a switching device 122 for activating or blocking a network connection 1 14 of the associated laundry care machine 1 10. Optionally, the communication module 120 has sensors 123 for detecting the current device status (eg for detecting information about whether the connected laundry care machine 1 10 unused and thus bookable or not). The system 100 provides remote access to a laundry machine 110 via an application, over the Internet, over a telephone connection, etc. The remote access may be used by a user, operator, or customer service especially for use control, booking / reservation, and / or device usage , The system 100 enables cashless billing of the use of a laundry care machine 110 (in this case, in particular, cost-intensive and error-prone coin / card systems are dispensed with). The system 100 can be used to convert consumption-based and time-definite billing models or variable pricing models (for example lower costs in marginal times). When using a communication module 120 with a connection to a cellular communication network, a separate WLAN connection can be dispensed with in rooms that are difficult to access, such as in a cellar. The communication module 120 may then communicate directly with the central control unit 101 via the cellular communication network. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown, in particular not to an application together with a Wäschepflegemaschine. In particular, it should be noted that the description and figures are intended to illustrate only the principle of the proposed devices and systems.

Claims

A system (100) for sharing a household appliance (1 10), the system comprising (100)

a control unit (101) arranged to determine that a user wishes to use the home appliance (110) in a first time period; wherein the control unit (101) and the household appliance (110) are spatially separated from one another; and

- A communication module (120) which is adapted to separate or form an electrically conductive connection between the household appliance (1 10) and an electrical supply source (130); wherein the communication module (120) comprises a socket into which a power plug of the household appliance (1 10) can be inserted; wherein the control unit (101) is further configured to cause the communication module (120) via a WAN communication link (102) to form the electrically conductive connection for the first time period.

The system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the control unit (101) is arranged

- determine that no user wants to use the household appliance (1 10) in a second period; and

- cause the communication module (120) via the WAN communication link (102) to disconnect the electrical connection for the second time period.

System (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the WAN communication connection (102) comprises a wireless cellular communication connection, in particular a GSM, GPRS, EDGE and / or UMTS communication connection.

System (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the communication module (120)

- Includes a controllable switch (122) which is arranged by opening the switch (122) the electrically conductive connection between the household appliance (1 10) and the electrical supply source (130) to separate or by closing the switch (122) to establish the electrically conductive connection between the household appliance (1 10) and the electrical supply source (130); and or

- Limiting means, which are adapted to limit an electric power via the electrically conductive connection between the household appliance (1 10) and the electrical supply source (130) to a maximum power greater than zero; wherein the maximum power is so small that thereby the implementation of an operating program of the household appliance (1 10) is prevented.

System (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the communication module (120) comprises locking means which are adapted to lock a plug connection between the supply plug of the household appliance (1 10) and the socket of the communication module (120).

System (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the communication module (120),

a current sensor (123) arranged to detect an indicator of the amount of electrical energy flowing across the electrically conductive connection; and

- Is set to send the indicator of the amount of electrical energy via the WAN communication link (102) to the control unit (101).

The system (100) of claim 6, wherein the controller (101) is configured based on the amount of electrical energy indicator,

- to determine whether the household appliance (1 10) is being used or not;

- to determine which operating program of the household appliance (1 10) is used; and or

- to determine a user fee for the use of the household appliance (1 10). The system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (101) is arranged to manage a digital calendar, the

- indicates one or more future periods in which the household appliance (1 10) is used;

- indicates a user by whom the household appliance (1 10) is used; and or

- It allows a user to reserve a future period for the use of the household appliance (1 10).

System (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein

- the system (100) comprises an electronic device (140) of the user;

- The electronic device (140) and the control unit (101) are spatially separated from each other;

- the electronic device (140) is arranged to detect an input indicating that the user wishes to use the household appliance (110) in the first period; and

- The electronic device (140) is arranged to send information regarding the detected input via another WAN communication link (103) to the control unit (101).

System (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein

- The communication module (120) and the household appliance (1 10) via a data interface (1 13) are interconnected; and

- The communication module (120) is arranged to forward first data, which were received via the WAN communication link (102) from the control unit (101) via the data interface (1 13) to the household appliance (1 10), and / or second Data that has been received via the data interface (1 13) from the household appliance (1 10) to the control unit (101) via the WAN communication link (102).

The system (100) of claim 10, wherein

- The first data information for authorizing the user to use the household appliance (1 10) in the first period comprises;

- the system (100) comprises the household appliance (110); and - The household appliance (1 10) is arranged to allow the user to use the household appliance (1 10) in the first period depending on the information for authorization or to prevent.

The system (100) according to any one of claims 10 to 11, wherein

- The second data information about a used in the first period operating program of the household appliance (1 10) comprises; and

- The control unit (101) is arranged to determine a user fee for the use of the household appliance (1 10) in dependence on the information about the operating program used.

System (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein

- The system (100) comprises a plurality of communication modules (120) for a plurality of household appliances (1 10); and

- The control unit (101) is arranged to control the joint use of the plurality of household appliances (1 10) via the corresponding plurality of communication modules (120).

System (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the household appliance (1 10) is a laundry care machine (1 10) and in particular comprises a washing machine, a tumble dryer and / or a washer-dryer.

Communication module (120) for a system (100) for sharing a household appliance (1 10), wherein the communication module (120) comprises a socket into which a power plug of the household appliance (1 10) can be plugged in, wherein the communication module (120) is set up,

- To separate or form an electrically conductive connection between the household appliance (1 10) and an electrical supply source (130);

to receive a control signal via a WAN communication link (102); wherein the control signal indicates whether the household appliance (1 10) is to be enabled or disabled for use in a first period of time; and

- To separate the electrically conductive connection in dependence on the control signal in the first period or form.