Patent ID: 7787964

Claim:
An operating and display device for a household appliance, comprising: a display including a plurality of display areas, a first display area of the display areas being configured to show summary information, the summary information being a single group message representative of a combination of a respective status or setting of each of a plurality of other household appliances connected so as to communicate with the household appliance, the display being configured to display at least one of a status and a setting of the household appliance; and an operating element configured to select at least one of an operating program, a parameter and a display option, the operating element being configured to select the at least one of a status and a setting of the household appliance; wherein the operating and display device is integrated into the household appliance, and the other household appliances are disposed remotely, wherein the household appliance and the other household appliances include at least one of a washing machine, a dryer, an oven, a microwave oven, a stove, a dishwasher, a refrigerator and a freezer.