Abstract: A method for a software-engineered reproduction of the behavior of an actual domestic appliance in a model, which is connected to the domestic appliance via a bi-directional connecting device, by which current states of the relevant domestic appliance are transmitted to the model and actions are executed on the domestic appliance. The model is merely described declaratively by way of graph structures with regard to the appliance parameters which indicate the appliance behavior. Appliance states and transition conditions between appliance states of the relevant domestic appliance are retained in a status graph software and it is checked by means of a control graph software whether a specific action can be executed in the respective appliance state of the relevant domestic appliance or with specified parameter combinations. An appliance information software contains all the information on the available status variables and actions of the relevant domestic appliance.

Abstract: A method and a device determine an interruption state of a communication connection between a domestic appliance and a controller. The communication connection is between the domestic appliance, optionally connected in a local area network to further domestic appliances, to a bus line configuration, including a bus line controller, by which information about the status of the domestic appliance is transmitted to the bus line controller. A fixed criterion of the domestic appliance is repeatedly requested over time by the bus line controller. On an established communication connection, a reply signal is transmitted. Should no reply signal be transmitted, an interruption in the communication connection is assumed. A search operation is carried out until a reply is obtained from the domestic appliance and than updated status information is transmitted to the bus line controller.

Abstract: The aim of the invention is to determine and optionally evaluate sporadic or constant disturbances and/or interruptions in the communication with domestic appliances (A1 . . . Am, An) that are connected to communication units (BCU1 . . . BCUm, BCUn) in order to transmit and/or receive communication signals by means of a first communication network (HB) which can be connected to at least one external control and/or monitoring unit (PC) via at least one transition device (GW) and a second optional communication network (NET), particularly a public communication network. Said aim is achieved by activating a test program in the at least one transition device (GW) that is connected to the first communication network (HB) when said disturbances and/or interruptions occur, the disturbances and/or interruptions occurring in the first communication network (HB) being detected and optionally evaluated as to the type, extent, and duration thereof by means of said test program.

Abstract: An apparatus for power failure identification in a programmable household appliance includes an electronic program control apparatus having a first device disposed upstream of the mains switch on the power supply system side and a second device disposed downstream from the mains switch on the appliance side for identifying an electrical variable of the external power supply system or of the supply system in the household appliance. The program control apparatus compares the signals produced by each of the devices from the electrical variables to decide whether the failure or the change in the electrical variable of the household appliance is due to a failure of the external power supply system, or due to the household appliance being switched off deliberately.

Abstract: An apparatus for power failure identification in a programmable household appliance includes an electronic program control apparatus having a first device disposed upstream of the mains switch on the power supply system side and a second device disposed downstream from the mains switch on the appliance side for identifying an electrical variable of the external power supply system or of the supply system in the household appliance. The program control apparatus compares the signals produced by each of the devices from the electrical variables to decide whether the failure or the change in the electrical variable of the household appliance is due to a failure of the external power supply system, or due to the household appliance being switched off deliberately.