Patent ID: 6583392
Filing Date: 2003-06-24
Classification: H05B

Abstract:
An apparatus for determining at least one property of a cooktop having a cooktop surface and a vessel selectively positioned on the cooktop surface, the apparatus comprising:an ultrasound transducer contacting the cooktop surface, the ultrasound transducer comprising: an ultrasound transmitter contacting the cooktop surface and providing an ultrasound waveform to the cooktop surface creating an excitation in the cooktop surface; and an ultrasound receiver contacting the cooktop surface, the ultrasound receiver receiving a resultant ultrasound waveform in response to the excitation and producing a receiver output signal in response to the resultant ultrasound waveform; a processor connected to the ultrasound transducer, the processor receiving the receiver output signal and producing a processor output signal corresponding to the at least one property of the cooktop.